Beyond Wheels

Throughout my life, I have felt trapped between two realms, disabled and able-bodied, never quite inhabiting either of them. Growing up, I struggled to reconcile my disability with the movement of my mind. I would longingly watch my brothers play football, wishing my muscles would spark into motion.  Music has always captivated me. My early life is littered with memories of my Mother’s beautiful piano playing. Her fingers seemed to operate independently of her, lovingly caressing the keys. There I would sit, mesmerised by the magical notes floating on air, dreaming of my crooked bones conjuring those sounds into existence.  I spent most of my early education in special needs schools. As my ninth birthday approached, I was enrolled at my local primary school for the final eighteen months of junior school. My parents believed this would soften my transition into the mainstream system, before making the much more significant leap to secondary school. My parents were right....

The clock ticks ever onwards. The transition deal is finally signed, and the sunlit lands of a post-Brexit future await us, at least according to some politicians. Over the past eighteen months, I have had the distinct impression that I am observing an elaborate pantomime, complete with hissing villains and dashing heroes. The opposing sides continuously vilify one another, leaving little or no room for positive political discourse. Furthermore, we have a rabid tabloid press who are intent on misleading people, while attempting to smear anyone brave enough to offer a counter-argument to the current narrative of isolationism, protectionism, and xenophobia.  On Monday, we had the pleasure of seeing The Secretary of State for Brexit shaking hands (somewhat awkwardly) with the EU’s chief negotiator, hailing the completion of this crucial phase as a decisive step forward. I welcome progress. However, I struggle to see any light at the end of this never-ending tunnel. Let me explain...

Throughout our lives we are shaped by those who inspire us, moulding our outlook and defining the way in which we relate to the world we inhabit. I am extremely fortunate to have been blessed with a loving family who have always encouraged me to pursue my ambitions, regardless of any barriers or obstacles I have faced. I became aware of Stephen Hawking while I was wrestling with the constraints of my Cerebral Palsy . He was a man with an almost mystical quality to me. Someone who had managed to transcend his life changing disability, whilst achieving extraordinary things. In the week of his passing, I feel the need to tell you how this great man influenced my life in ways you couldn’t possibly imagine.  Acceptance is a process. Always changing, never static. You begin with the “Why me?” phase, where there is a furious desire for explanation, almost as if the answer to your question will provide immediate comfort. When the answer does not appear, you frantically search for some...