People
By Ellise Hollie-Hayward, Disabilities Correspondent Liam Virgo has Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) which affects how the brain sends and receives information to and from the body which can cause paralysis, seizures, sensory changes, difficulty with speech, swallowing and cognitive issues. Before Liam was diagnosed with FND at the age of
People
By Ellise Hollie-Hayward, Disabilities Correspondent March was Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and celebrate both the small and big milestones of those living with the condition. Harley has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, HIE (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy), hyperinsulinism, epilepsy, visual impairment, and scoliosis. He experiences daily seizures and
People
By Ellise Hollie-Hayward, Disabilities Editor Everything changed as a family when Ethan’s family realised Ethan was autistic. "There is no need to apologise or look sad when someone tells you their child is autistic, instead, why not ask what brings them joy or is there anything you can
People
By Ellise Hollie-Hayward, Disabilities Correspondent I was very privileged to be a guest speaker at the GCSE Boost event 2025, which was hosted at the Areo Space in Bristol. I never thought that I would speak under a plane during my motivational speaking career. It really was one of the
People
By Ellise Hollie-Hayward, Disabilities Correspondent 1Voice is a small UK charity dedicated to bringing social connection and positive role models to AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) users, their families, and those who support them. While most people use their voices to communicate, those who cannot or choose not to use
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By Ellise Hollie-Hayward, Disabilities Correspondent Clothing can be a real struggle for people with disabilities or delayed fine motor skills, making it difficult to put on or take off certain garments. This limitation often restricts their clothing choices. However, society is becoming more inclusive, and adaptive clothing is now making
People
By Ellise Hollie-Hayward Our Disabilities Editor Ellise was born with Cerebral Palsy and is on a mission to share her optimism and encouragement with the world. Here she gives a word of encouragement to educators after her latest motivational talk. “One of the greatest people to live in the last
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By Ellise Hollie-Hayward, Jill Dando News Disability Correspondent Khamani Edwards is 17 years old, an award-winning entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of KJ's Craft Time, which he launched in 2021 to inspire creativity for children through educational and fantasy-themed craft boxes. He was born with Dystonia, a
People
Special Feature by Ellise Hollie-Hayward, Jill Dando News Disabilities Correspondent Callum Day is 27 years old and was born with a condition called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. This condition affects the muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints all over his body. He has also been recently diagnosed as Severely Sight Impaired which
People
Special Feature by Ellise Hollie-Hayward, Disabilities Correspondent Jonathan Bryan is 18 years old and studying Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. He is a published author and founded a charity called ‘Teach Us Too’, envisaging a world where all children are taught to read and write regardless of their educational
Disabilities Correspondent
By Ellise Hollie-Hayward, Disabilities Correspondent In a testament to perseverance and advocacy, Ciara Lawrence, a woman with a learning disability, has become a beacon of hope for many. For 24 years, Ciara Lawrence has been an integral part of Mencap, the UK's leading learning disability charity, where she
Disabilities Correspondent
By Ellise Hollie Hayward, Jill Dando News Disabilities Correspondent “If I can do it, you can do it.’ One of my massive achievements is sitting my GCSEs in secondary school. I was very lucky to have attended an amazing secondary school, I was supported, included and listened to as a
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By Ellise Hollie Hayward, 21, Disabilities Correspondent, Jill Dando News Children are benefiting from incredible powered wheelchairs called Wizzybugs. Designability, a leading disability charity, are providing the powered wheelchairs to families with very young children aged from 14 months onwards who have a disability - even if it is currently
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By Jill Dando News I fell pregnant with my eldest daughter, Ellise in 2001 and had a good pregnancy journey, I had no problems during my pregnancy and everything was normal and fine so I had no idea what the next part of my life was going to embark upon