• Chloe, a woman with brown hair is sat on a bench with her back to the camera. Next to her is her yellow Labrador guide dog Dezzie. He is sat looking up at Chloe
    Disability

    Accessibility is more than a ramp

    When you think of accessibility, you probably picture infrastructure. You think about lifts, ramps and accessible toilets. Those things matter. They are not optional extras, but they are only one part of the story. Accessibility is often reduced to architecture, something that’s structural, visible and measurable. Yet lived accessibility goes far beyond whether a door is wide enough or a toilet has a grab rail. It lives in the atmosphere, attitudes and whether someone can exhale once they arrive.

  • Chloe and Dezzie the guide dog sat together. Dezzie is in focus and Chloe is behind slightly blurred.
    Disability,  Visual Impairment

    Lessons from a guide dog owner

    Just over two years ago, Dezzie and I qualified as a partnership. During that time I’ve experienced independence like never before. I’ve been able to leave the house, see friends and travel with less reliance on others. But what have I learnt during this time?

  • Chloe and George sat within pompeii ruins
    Disability

    Marella Cruises review as a disabled person

    As I finish off this blog post, it’s been just over a month since we got home. Life got busy and I struggled to find the time to sit down and write. However, do not mistake that for a lack of enjoyment! We had the time of our lives and it was an incredible introduction to cruises — I have a feeling it will not be our last! Here’s my review of the Magical Mediterranean itinerary onboard the Marella Explorer as a disabled person.

  • Chloe, a young woman with brown hair is wearing glasses, has a yellow walking stick and is standing with her guide dog. Either side of them both are large AFO splints that are twice the height of Chloe and are very colourful.
    Disability

    Being disabled forces you to be confident

    You’ll have to let me explain this one. Does being disabled force you to be confident? You could argue the opposite, that it’s the reason why someone is shy. My 15 year old self would have done anything to blend in and not be seen as disabled. But that’s why I’ve been forced to be confident.

  • A blurred wall of close up flowers. In the middle is a woman with a guide dog sat on a bench with her back to the camera
    Disability

    The accessibility of museums and galleries in Liverpool

    I was in Liverpool for one overnight stay and in that time I went to 2 museums and a gallery; The World of Glass, Walker Art Gallery and World Museum. I tried to gather as much accessibility information as I could, rather than focusing on the things that would benefit me.

  • Beach with a sunset
    Disability,  Life Update

    It’s been a while…

    The last blog post I wrote was in August. Where have the last few months gone? I’d just started a new job and lots of things were happening. I never intended to take a break from writing, but I certainly have a lot of things to fill you in on! In a nutshell, my body is tired, but my heart is very happy.

  • In a cafe. On the table is an open laptop and a cup of coffee
    Disability

    Needing to overachieve when you’re disabled

    I’ve always wanted to work hard and achieve. But what if this is partly because I’m disabled? When you’re disabled, you do get treated differently. As a disabled child it was assumed I wouldn’t achieve as highly as my peers. I believe this was partly because I genuinely was behind academically to begin with. Yet I can’t help wonder about the assumptions that were placed on me.