• 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…

  • Entrepreneurship and Disability

    Are you dreaming of starting your own business but don’t know how? Want to make a difference in the world yet struggling with illness? I’ve been there, and in the face of multiple disabilities, I not only consistently defied my prognoses; I overhauled my diet, earned a degree (with honours), built a global business, & launched a worldwide non-profit foundation. When you have a change-the-world-build-a-business dream and want to see it become a reality, then head this way. Too many of us are held back by the illness/no time/no money struggles and the world needs what you have to offer. I want to help you live your business dreams too, that’s…

  • Dear Grace Q & A: Building a Life with Disability

    Question: “What can people do, who don’t feel they can start their own business or aren’t able to work in their circumstances? What kind of projects could they get involved with? What kind of things can they build their life around, if they currently lack focus? What kinds of hobbies can ill and disabled people take up?” Answer: The real answer, of course, is to find your passion and then make it accessible. Just as you’d build a life without a disability. What do you want to do? What do you love? If you don’t know what you love, can you explore? But I do have a list of accessible options and…

  • How-To Guide for Stylish Accessibility Aids: Disability Equipment & Mobility Chic

    I believe stylish accessibility aids, dreamy disability equipment and cool mobility chic can be empowering and allow us to reclaim our identities in the maelstrom of loss, pain and medicalisation. But this is still a radical view. (Like this? Pin it for later!) I think I annoy my health professionals. I sometimes get the feeling that they see me as a little ditzy or superficial (until I start on about pH balance or calcium absorption, then they just seem bemused). This may be because, whenever we are talking about mobility aids, crutches, splints, slings, hoists, adaptions – anything really, my first question is generally “What colour is it?”. This is…

  • How I Manage Business, Wellness and Life

    As a wellness provocateur and disabled entrepreneur I’m often asked about how I manage business, wellness and life. I am sharing my answer here (with permission from the person who asked). Q: When personal matters grow overwhelming, how do you refocus so that you can effectively run your businesses? This has been on my mind lately; I have more clients right now than ever, which is exciting, but I’m also feeling my symptoms worsen. And I’m not in crisis mode, either, so am not sure of how to proceed.  A: It’s challenging that more clients can come, but bring more pressure too. It’s not often talked about, but it’s totally a…