After being diagnosed with a chronic illness halfway through my time at university, one of my biggest achievements to date has been continuing my studies, and graduating with a 2:1 BSc degree from a Russell Group institution in 2016. What I didn’t know at the time was that this was only the beginning of the battle; that the subsequent search for accessible employment opportunities would be even more difficult to navigate.
I first met Erin Siobhan Hutching through my work with Scope, and obviously jumped at the opportunity to have a natter about inclusive theatre with her: the following post has been published with the permission of the Scope Stories team and The DH Ensemble. Enjoy, and let me know what you think!
Going to the theatre is an experience enjoyed and cherished by many families, particularly over Christmas and the New Year. However, like many other recreational activities, theatres and shows often fail to be wholly inclusive of disabled people. Although the accessibility of venues has now begun to increase, the content and suitability of individual productions for those with specific impairments continue to exclude multitudes of disabled people from enjoying these shows for themselves.
View PostDiscussing Inclusive Theatre with Erin Siobhan Hutching of The DH Ensemble
I jumped at the chance to interview the theatre blogging legend that is West End Wilma; what with the upcoming Wilma Awards nominees just being announced and the inclusion of …
View PostDiscussing Accessible Theatre With West End Wilma (Wilma Awards 2017)
[I wrote this piece for The Huffington Post’s new ‘EveryBody’ campaign; see the original post here!] “What happened to you, then?” There’s no ideal time to acquire a long-term chronic …
View PostUsing Mobility Aids When You Have An Invisible Illness
![[#AD - Gifted & Giveaway!] This is what a disabled person looks like. Can you believe it still needs to be said that not all disabilities are visible?⠀
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When I’m not using my mobility aids, I really do look like any other person. And at times that’s a blessing. But my goodness, it isn’t half a battle to get other people to take your needs seriously when they can’t see them with their own eyes. ⠀
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Just because you can’t see my debilitating symptoms, it doesn’t mean they’re not there. Just because I don’t ‘look’ ill or always fit the stereotypical image of disability that society has taught us to internalise, doesn’t mean that my experiences are any less valid. Disabled isn't a bad word, and nobody should ever be made to feel ashamed or unworthy because they identify with it.⠀
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Heck, I’ve even had people question my illness in the past simply because I’ve smiled or seemed cheerful. Didn’t realise I had to spend my life wailing in misery for my medical status to be deemed acceptable by random strangers in public but whatever floats your boat, Karen. ⠀
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There are still so many misconceptions around invisible illnesses and what disability actually looks like, so I couldn’t be more chuffed with my tee from @annascanlon’s Disabled Person’s store, an initiative for people who are not ashamed of their disability and want to dismantle the stigma. They’re ethically produced, size-inclusive, and the design of this one is even prettier in person!⠀
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Fancy winning one of your own? Simply follow @lifeofpippa and @annascanlon, and tag a friend in the comments. For a bonus entry, share this post on your Stories and tag us both so we can see it! ⠀
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This giveaway is open for those based in the UK, and one winner will be chosen randomly on Sunday 5th July at 12pm. This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or Facebook. Best of luck, gang! And here’s to continuing to challenge perceptions, eh? 🤞🏻✨](https://www.lifeofpippa.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)