Recently, my social media manager suggested that over the summer we focus less on my work and more on my passions and interests outside of it, to give people a better sense of who I am as a person.
I thought it was a brilliant idea because I am so much more than my public persona. It was suggested we call the series “Beyond the Wheelchair.” At first, it seemed to make perfect sense. It’s a phrase that’s often used in campaigns and conversations that encourage people to see the person rather than their disability.
But the more I thought about it, the more I found myself asking what does “beyond” actually imply?
For many people, the wheelchair has become the universal symbol of disability. We see it on disabled toilet signs, parking spaces and public information. Yet disability is not just a symbol; it is integral to real people’s lives and identities.
I have had cerebral palsy my entire life and I do not see my disability as something separate from me, or an obstacle that hides the “real” me. My disability is part of who am and it has shaped how I move through the world, how I connect with people, and how I understand inclusion and equality. I don’t even think about having to use a wheelchair – it’s just what I do to live and get around.
The simple truth is that you can’t look beyond my disability because my disability is part of me. It is not only noticeable, but also intrinsic to my identity.
Like everyone else, I have my own interests, passions, quirks and dislikes and that’s exactly why I want to share more about the person I am.
I absolutely love fashion – it runs in the family. My mum, sister, aunties and cousins and now my niece, have always loved clothes and makeup, and I suppose I’ve inherited that passion. I enjoy putting outfits together, and people often comment on my sense of style. I also love bright, vibrant colours, which probably explains why my hair is a vivid shade of red.
I love travelling, discovering new places, good food, cooking, improv and having a laugh. Anyone who knows me will tell you I have a cheeky sense of humour.
I’m also a huge animal lover, especially when it comes to dogs and my poodle Peggy is my almost constant companion.
In terms of dislikes, my love of animals does not stretch to reptiles. I am absolutely terrified of snakes, to the point where I even had to politely decline a well-intentioned gift of pair of snake earrings!
As for other dislikes, bragging and pretentiousness are high on the list. Although I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, I would never want to come across as someone showing off or trying to be something I’m not. Authenticity matters a great deal to me.
This way of thinking is deeply connected to the Affirmative Model of Disability, which reminds us that disability is a normal part of the human experience, not something to be erased, hidden or overcome.
So perhaps, rather than looking “beyond the wheelchair,” can we explore “what else” is there to learn and discover about someone in order to see the whole person, disability included?
Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more about me in the hope that it opens up conversations, not only about disability, but also about identity, perception and who we are as people.
Because disability isn’t the whole story, but neither is it something to look beyond.
Photo by Franck V. on Unsplash
