• Using Your “Brokenness” to Break Boundaries

    Experiencing pain, grief, trauma and seemingly insurmountable challenges are inevitable to the human condition. But what if “being broken” – a “misfit” – serves as a catalyst for liberation and greater purpose? (Click to Tweet!) As a trailblazing wellness pioneer I explore my own life-changing physical illness… and share the story of a dramatic shift in thinking that incited a destiny I never could have imagined. Please watch, and share with all those feeling broken and stuck, with the outsiders who want to shift into trail blazers.   Tweetables Using your “brokenness” to break boundaries #TEDx http://bit.ly/1MblhwN Living day to day as yourself, and loving yourself exactly as you are, is…

  • Disability Creativity: Co-opting Clothing for Accessibility Part 2

    Living with disability can ignite creativity – at least it has for me in terms of my wardrobe. Check out Disability Creativity: Co-opting Clothing for Accessibility Part 1 – Outerwear here. Companies design clothes for people with disabilities, however, most of those clothes are what I imagine the companies think ‘elderly’ people will wear. But I’m sure most of us will value style and self expression, as well as comfort, at every age. (Click to Tweet!) Clothes that work for your body and life can be challenging to find. Maybe you need Velcro, not buttons, or perhaps things that are easy to pull on and off, or don’t get caught…

  • Disability Creativity: Co-opting Clothing for Accessibility

    Peek inside my wardrobe and you’ll see the evidence of a life spent in pursuit of adventure. From wetsuits and jodhpurs to ski wear and jewel-bright dresses. But the mix is misleading – they’re all ideas I’ve borrowed from other disciplines to make living with disability and dressing for wheelchair use easier. What’s neoprene got to do with life on wheels? Read on… I’ve lived with disability for 13 years and learned to get creative. Disability doesn’t have to mean dismal dressing. (Click to Tweet!) I’ve yet to find disability clothing brands that suit my sense of style, so instead I’ve co-opted clothes from other areas that work for wheelchairs…

  • My Top Ten Most Comforting Books

    When you need some comfort, if you are having a difficult day or you just want something lovely to occupy you – dig into this list and don’t forget to comment to share your favourite comfort books/films/actions. 1. The Harry Potter Series  Because what part of becoming a wizard, and overcoming evil with the help of your friends isn’t heart-warming?   2. Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day It’s the ultimate Cinderella story, and it is unmissable.   3. Cold Comfort Farm Flora Poste “of every art and grace save that of earning her own living,” travels to the farm of her relatives, and finding it devoid of both common…

  • On Usefulness: Underneath It All, We Want to Be of Worth

    What’s it worth? It’s a common question, perhaps a common-place one. We ask what a potential purchase is worth, what an object of perceived value is worth, and if we are ill then we often ask what an event is worth in terms of the time and energy we will spend there. It’s a fair question: is it good enough to justify what I am giving? Does it have a value equal to that which you gave? But when did we begin asking what humans were worth? I mean, darling just look at you… You are worth everything. EVERYTHING. (Click to Tweet!) The problem as I see it, is this:…