She Was Told She’d Never Speak — Now She Inspires the Nation
By The Editor
Inspirational speaker with cerebral palsy nominated for national award.
An inspirational speaker from Somerset living with cerebral palsy has been nominated for a prestigious national honour — and her story is nothing short of extraordinary.
Ellise Hollie Hayward, Disability Editor for Good News Post and Jill Dando News, has been nominated for the Positive Role Model Award at the National Diversity Awards 2026.
Born with cerebral palsy affecting all four limbs, doctors predicted Ellise would never walk, talk or communicate.
Unable to speak verbally, she instead found her voice through eye-gaze technology — a breakthrough that transformed her ability to connect with the world.
Now, she’s captivating audiences across the UK — from schools and conferences to even speaking in Parliament, hosted by Mr Speaker.
Her powerful voice and message have also reached national and international audiences, with appearances on CBS News and West Country ITV News. She has further contributed to the Channel 4 programme Welcoming Differences, helping to raise awareness and understanding of life with cerebral palsy.
Ellise, a former student at Preston School in Yeovil, said:
“Being nominated for a National Diversity Award is a huge honour. Just to be nominated is an achievement.
“Life is so beautiful and I feel so privileged to be able to encourage and inspire people through whatever challenges they face.
“It’s in overcoming difficulties that we grow stronger — and it’s so important to come through them wanting to help others.”
Alongside her speaking work, Ellise champions the stories of others with disabilities, sharing uplifting and often overlooked experiences through her journalism for the Good News Post and beyond.
Ellise also serves as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Ambassador, an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Ambassador at Ashton Park School, and a trustee at the charity Teach Us Too.
While her journey has included overcoming significant physical challenges, Ellise has also conquered shyness, fear and the pressure of standing out — emerging as one of the UK’s most inspiring voices for inclusion and change.
She now uses those experiences as her greatest strength.
