The UKs Favourite Disability Magazine
my story
My Story: Tim Rushby-Smith
Apr 1st
Three years ago an accident left Tim Rushby-Smith facing sudden disability – just as he was about to become a father for the first time. He explains how he learned to face the future head on and build a new life – as a man, a husband and a father. More >
My Story: If You Fall…
Apr 1st
Back in 1993, a rock-climbing accident left Karen Darke paralysed from the chest down. Though the life she’d previously known had come to an end, time and the inspiration of friends and family – plus a lot of trial and error on her part – has led to a new meaningful and fulfilling life, as she continues to explain to audiences around the UK. More >
My Story: ‘I Knew I Had The Ability’
Apr 1st
Back in 1994, Michael Caines lost his right arm in a car accident. Two weeks later, the up and coming chef was back in the kitchen, as he explains to Laura Dunlop.
Michael Caines is a success. More >
My Story: Belinda Hollowood
Apr 1st
Belinda Hollowood hasn’t let Turner Syndrome – a chromosome condition that affects only women and invariably leads to short stature and infertility – stop her from enjoying life.
I was born on Boxing Day, 1962 in a small nursing home in Bilston, near Wolverhampton. I was diagnosed with Turner Syndrome at birth, but did not find out myself until I was 18. I’ve been lucky in that, other than a loss of hearing, weak bones (I have plates on all four bones in my forearms after four breaks), short stature and being unable to have children, I am fit and healthy. There are many other complications that I have escaped. More >
My Story: Ems Coombes
Apr 1st
Plymouth-based Ems Coombes was hoping for a special birthday present in June – the launch of her new multi-ability theatre company, Strictly Collaborative.
I had a stroke when I was 17 and, as a teenager, found I was given little support; when I came out of hospital, there wasn’t anything. I didn’t know what was happening to me and for six or seven years, even though I used a walking stick, I denied that I was disabled.
Having always been interested in drama, I was determined to work in the sector, but it was only when I got involved with the Priory in Totnes and saw them using drama to help integrate 19 people with physical or learning disabilities back into the community, that I began to understand what I was meant to be doing. That’s when I realised there was a niche for me; before that I didn’t really know what it was to be disabled, or even if it was possible to be a disabled person in the arts world. I spent the last part of my time at Dartington College of Arts researching what it was to be a disabled person in the arts world, and to see what there was out there. More >
