Welcome To Access Your Life!
We’re excited to announce the launch of our third website (it’s a long story, let’s hope third time’s the charm!)
Our Origins
Access Your Life originated from the personal experiences of its founders, Felix and Lauren, who both have a profound understanding of the challenges faced by individuals living with disabilities, their families, and their caregivers.
Our very first logo, from back in the early days of AYL.
Felix’s Journey
My journey began with a childhood diagnosis of dyslexia. The lack of understanding and reasonable adjustments I encountered throughout my education forced me to fight consistently for the support I needed to learn effectively. Despite these hurdles, I earned a degree in Biomedical Sciences.
Then, during a brief period of studying for a Clinical Neuroscience PhD, where I was working with Motor Neurone Disease patients, I revealed a striking similarity in the daily obstacles faced by both my partner and my patients. Despite their very different conditions, they struggled to maximise their independence, navigate an inaccessible world, and access the appropriate equipment.
Lauren’s Journey
My journey began when I could no longer pursue my dreams of becoming a dance teacher due to the sudden onset of a genetic condition. Following a lengthy two-year diagnostic period, I anticipated a straightforward process for obtaining the necessary equipment and services.
Instead, I encountered unexpected scepticism from professionals, which became a significant obstacle. Surprisingly, the process resembled buying a car, meaning I risked wasting considerable time and money without specialised knowledge of which parts would best suit my needs.
Our Mission
Collectively, we have used our experiences to fuel our determination to create Access Your Life. Felix’s scientific background enables him to analyse market trends and understand patient needs, while Lauren focuses on advocating for the disabled community, especially misunderstood patient groups.
Our primary focus in launching Access Your Life was to create a comprehensive equipment review directory. The goal was to empower individuals to make informed decisions when purchasing medical equipment by offering unbiased information and authentic reviews that transcend standard sales pitches.
Supporting Our Community
Since our inception, our team has supported over 1,000 individuals by addressing a wide range of disability-related questions and concerns. Many of these enquiries were about finding the most suitable mobility equipment based on individual needs, or getting recommendations for the trusted suppliers of the equipment featured in our reviews.
In response to this need, we developed our Equipment Request Scheme. This initiative helps users find the best mobility equipment by connecting them with local partnered professionals, providing access to exclusive discounts, and assisting with securing funding.
Achievements
We are pleased to report that we have successfully assisted over 300 users in identifying suitable wheelchairs and powered attachments, carefully considering their clinical needs, lifestyles, and overall well-being. Additionally, we have secured over £650,000 in funding to ensure these vital mobility solutions are accessible to all who need them
Our Team & Values
To keep our core values at the centre of Access Your Life, we have built a team led by individuals with disabilities. This ensures that our services genuinely meet the needs of our community and make a meaningful difference.
We provide a safe, welcoming environment that fosters a sense of belonging for users, ensuring that no questions are off-limits, enquiries are taken seriously, and they have an advocate for necessary equipment or services.
Bridging The Gap
We play a vital role in bridging a crucial gap in the disability equipment sector. By connecting equipment users with trusted manufacturers and suppliers, we provide partnered professionals who offer invaluable insights from lived experiences.
