I suffered SSHL (Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss) in July 2018, and lost my hearing in my left ear. I became disabled overnight. It took me several years to accept what happened and that my hearing was not going to return. I now wear a hearing aid, use specialist equipment, lip read and I am learning British Sign Language, to help me continue to lead a full and active life. 

More than ever, I now value and recognise the unique perspective that disabled people bring to an organisation. I use my lived experience and connections to advocate for disabled people, especially in employment, accessing services and embedding lived experience into strategies, policies, and service design. 

I integrate my passion into my work and aim to be recognised as a specialist expert in: 

• Establishing disability-inclusive cultures across organisations;
• Ensuring the voices of disabled people are heard and acted upon;
• Championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity 
• Representing disabled people in national policy changes and legislation
• Providing an evidence-base through robust research

Below are examples of the work I have led on: (Please click on the links below)