Community Stories

Hello, I’m Claire and I have MS. My journey to diagnosis took approximately 9 years. I began with numb legs and arms which would come on periodically then go. You may recognise the uniform I’m wearing but may not recognise that I’m actually sat in the engine of a 747 aircraft and you certainly won’t […]

X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a genetic disorder that primarily affects males, as it is caused by mutations in genes located on the X chromosome – meaning that females are usually carriers of the mutated gene but do not typically exhibit symptoms themselves. The condition leads to progressive degeneration of the light-sensitive cells in the […]

I was born with a visual impairment. Some members of my family have a rare genetic condition that results in us having detached retinas, glaucoma, cataract, poor night vision and sometimes, like in my case, really poor peripheral vision.  Because of this, I’ve been around braille my whole life, there wasn’t a time when a […]

Hello, I’m Funmi Lawal, a passionate entrepreneur and inventor, and I’d like to share my journey with you. Born in Camden, London, on October 16, 1967, my life has been a testament to resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of individuals facing mobility challenges and disabilities. My Educational and Professional Background […]

Hello all, I’m Gavin. I’m currently the CEO of a technology company, but it wasn’t always this way. This article talks about my journey from working with Guide Dogs to launched WelcoMe to help empower the disabled community. My Time at Guide Dogs for the Blind For 18 years, I worked for Guide Dogs for […]

I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) just after my 21st birthday back in 2018. I was actually on my year abroad from university, living and working in Paris – having the best year of my life. Experiencing Symptoms From one day to the next, I started to experience symptoms which involved numbness, fatigue, difficulty […]

I’m Carol, a multi-award-winning silversmith and jewellery teacher based in Yorkshire. I work in solid silver, transforming antique cutlery into wearable art. As someone who has been disabled for a long time, I am dedicated to creating accessible and inclusive jewellery for people with disabilities and long-term health conditions. I am a passionate advocate for […]

My name is Georgina and I am the founder of Purpl Disabled Discounts. Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a unique journey for everyone. My own experience began in 2003 when I was diagnosed with MS, though I didn’t consider myself disabled at the time. For 13 years, I experienced no visible symptoms and even […]