30 Years, 30 Stories

In his ’30 Stories’ interview, Chirag covers everything from his experiences at a mainstream primary school as being a wheelchair user, to his recent work placements at an IT company and law firm.

From receiving powered wheelchairs and winning a grant to produce her own selection of accessible clothing, to being on the Kidz Board and going on work placements, Judith has had a long relationship with Whizz-Kidz - expanding for over half of her life!

Family plays a big theme in Laura’s interview. Having been adopted along with her twin sister in Bangkok, and brought to England by her fantastic parents, Laura speaks highly of mum and dad, who always went ‘above and beyond’ to advocate on their behalf.

Sophie has been involved in Whizz-Kidz for years, accessing our services and fundraising to help others. Now we’re delighted that she has joined us as a colleague working in our services team supporting other young wheelchair users

Liam talks about his sporting life as well as the good times he had studying Sports Psychology at university. Once his studies were over, he knew he had to “get a real job and live a real life’.

Having lived independently at college for a few years, Bethany talks about her experience and the adaptations required to do this. She highlights the differences of the places she’s lived in, telling us that whilst she’s still waiting for a dropped kerb outside her house in Wales, that the accessibility in Gloucester clubs where she moved to, was a great experience.

Zara talks us through some key pieces of Disability legislation and although there is still a long way to go, she recognises that her actions have had a positive impact on the lives of the many young people she has met. She encourages us all to be the change we want to see in the world. 

From getting to school from his family home, to studying philosophy and discussing the state of migrants and asylum seekers in the UK today, Chris’ interview spans a huge range of topics.

Senior mobility therapist Marja tells us about the changes that have occurred for wheelchair users since she first joined Whizz-Kidz more than 20 years ago.

Martin describes how his family and friends treated him the same as anybody else, resulting in him not associating himself with disability until he started school, where he experienced some “preconceived ideas” about his intelligence.

Through this interview, taken before the Games, we got behind the fencing mask and find it’s not just medals but solid relationships and hard won independence that are most precious to Dimitri.

“I am the true definition of intersectionality’ Tobi told us during her ’30 Years, 30 Stories’ interview. Her unique story of being a black disabled Muslim, foster care experienced, bisexual, wheelchair user is a rare and unique story that needs listening to…

Eddie tackles the sensitive subject of disability language. Having autism and being a wheelchair user means the terms we all use, have a significant impact on his well-being. Eddie discusses the pros and cons of using terms, including “differently-abled” and “special needs”.

In her interview, campaigner and parliamentarian, Baroness Jane Campbell, shares her personal journey through the birth of the disability movement in the UK from its emergence in the 1960s and 1970s, through to the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act.

Ian first started working with wheelchairs and vehicles in 1978, so he has witnessed the significant developments that have occurred within the sector over the last 40 years.

A spoken word artist, Miss Jacqui shares her life story with us and her interview is full of memories and observations from her life as a young female wheelchair user. Issues of culture and representation are also reflected on and the huge importance of her Whizz-Kidz wheelchairs.

Current Kidz Board Chair, Penny, gives us an honest account of what it’s like to be a young wheelchair user in the UK since the turn of the century. Her interview spans mental health, ‘ableism’, the impact of social media on young people and the moment she realised her voice had the power to change lives.

Hannah Cockroft, winner of 12 world championship gold titles, recalls that she “couldn’t push a wheelchair quick enough” when younger. The irony. She also tells us that whilst growing up, she had no idea the Paralympics even existed.

Bolton Wanderers fan Chris has years of experience working with and supporting young disabled people, giving him a unique and detailed insight into how life as a wheelchair user has changed since he was younger. Chris also lets us know just how easy it is to be an ally to wheelchair users.

Sam is brutally honest about the co-dependent relationship with her mother that arose after the sudden death of her father when she was just nine years old. She talks about ‘cripping up’ in the media and experiencing imposter syndrome on live TV, everyday activism and the backlash on social media.

From studying for GCSEs in hospital to celebrating success at the BAFTAs, Ruth Madeley shares the challenges and achievements in her life and career in this exclusive interview.

Having just graduated from a Masters in Law, she talks about her earliest memory, hearing a Whitney Houston track, to the reason she chose law as her specialist field.