Rupy
When I reached two years of age, my family noticed that I was not reaching significant developmental milestones such as sitting up, crawling or walking. I was soon diagnosed with having Cerebral Palsy. Unfortunately, health professionals often lacked empathy when explaining the impact of my impairment to my family; my family were told that I would never be able to talk, walk or be educated. However, with love and nurture provided by my family, I have grown into the confident woman that I am today.
I am a Disabled, Indian woman, I have personal experience of the social and healthcare system. I understand the challenges that Disabled people face when navigating such systems. Overcoming challenges posed by societal perceptions have shaped me into the person I am today. My mission in life is create an equitable society for all through avenues such as activism, academia, and social media. This is what led me to DR UK’s current project around COVID-19, as it is such a vital project where societal lessons must be learned.
I am a full-time wheelchair user and have Personal Care Assistants (PAs) who help me facilitate my life on a day-to-day basis. Through receiving the right support, I have achieved many things including, moving on from a special needs school into a mainstream school, I was elected as the NUS Disabled Students’ Officer in my early 20s and led this national disability campaign, I became the youngest board member of the largest disability charity in the country (SCOPE), I have jumped out of a plane, appeared in a documentary about recruiting PAs and am now Registered Health Psychologist.
Whist growing up, my self-esteem and confidence was knocked by healthcare professionals; I felt that they set limitations on my capabilities. I am not claiming that all healthcare professionals have these ‘prejudices.’ I still work on my self-belief on a day-to-day basis. However, through utilising a strong support network, asking for support when needed, and seeking out professionals who believe in my capabilities, I can now perceive my situation with some level of objectivity. I know other Disabled people face similar challenges to mine and I want to be part of the solution – this is why I decided to become a health professional myself and pursue a career in Health Psychology; the perfect career allowing me to bridge the gap between disability and healthcare, but also having psychology at the forefront of every decision I intend to make as a health professional. My intention will always be to adopt a holistic view to health and to be person-centered in my approach.
Michael P
Michael moved to London in the 90s - he worked in the city but eventually found it empty and soul-destroying. After four years he decided to leave as he wasn’t happy in an environment with the simple aim of making the wealthy even wealthier.
He went to the agency Prospectus, and said that he wanted a more fulfilling role which helped people and added value to society. They asked what he was interested in and he said supporting refugees and migrants, as his family's background, alongside witnessing discrimination in Ireland growing up, meant he cared deeply about this. He also equally highlighted disability, as one of his best friends growing up was Disabled from birth. It had never struck Michael that his friend was Disabled until he saw that friend be treated differently, and badly by others, when they both went to school in another town at age 14. This stayed with him, and with Prospectus' help, Michael found a job in the disability sector – firstly working at Shaw Trust in info and advice, then after seven years moving onto Disability Alliance, later unifying with RADAR and NCIL to form Disability Rights UK.
Dan
Dan White is a carer to his Disabled daughter, Emily and was first exposed to disability inequality through her, although as an adult, he has received a late diagnosis of PDA autism. His experience caring for Emily made him turn a corner. When she was a child, she asked if Disabled people weren’t allowed on television – as she never saw any media representation. This inspired Dan to launch a comic with Disabled superheroes at the centre. This then moved him into the rights movement. People would as ask him about disability rights in interviews about his comics.
Dan met Kamran through the contacts he’d made in various activism and media circles, so when a DR UK job came up he went for it as he was so passionate about the work we do. Dan really appreciates being able to say the truth at DR UK and not being limited in what needs to be said. He feels that he’s reached tan important place in the campaigning here.
Michael W
Michael W was returning to London after caring for his mum during her terminal cancer. He saw that DRUK needed volunteers, and applied - it gave his life some measure of order. When he was given the opportunity to keep working there, he was delighted to continue doing so.