Introducing Amber
One of our newest Youth Board members
by Gemma Foord,
Communications Volunteer
For Amber, one of our newest Youth Board members, nothing is more important than finding the joy in the smallest of things and making the most of every opportunity that comes her way. You’ll find her watching women’s football, outside in nature with her two cocker spaniels, DeeDee and Flo, and, on the best days, by the sea with a good book.
You’ll also find her deep in her studies. Amber has almost completed her Master’s degree in Inclusive Education at Bath Spa University where she’s specialised in the overlap of autism and energy-limiting condition illnesses in education spaces.
It is this incredible expertise, as well as her lived experience, that Amber brings to our Youth Board. She became disabled as a teenager, describing this as a huge challenge which plays a massive part in the person she is today.
Accepting a wheelchair as part of my condition management was the start of getting my life back, and I don’t say that lightly.
Whilst being a young wheelchair user is fraught with challenges, inaccessibility and societal perceptions to name a few, it has ultimately made my world so much bigger again.
Amber
Joining the Youth Board
Amber was motivated to join our Youth Board by the opportunity to contribute to meaningful and impactful change for young wheelchair users, but she also saw the immense value of the space this has created, a supportive environment to try new things, develop new skills and spend time with other young wheelchair users.
She had first encountered Whizz Kidz when she was looking for funding options for her first custom wheelchair, and although she was too old to use the services, she followed us on social media.
The biggest thing that stood out to me was the huge impact Whizz Kidz was having (and continues to have) on young people, making so many worlds bigger with access to the right equipment and accessible opportunities.
But also, that the impact didn’t stop at the provision of equipment and translated into advocacy, policy, and driving change at the highest level, with youth voice right at the centre.
Amber
Setting her sights high
Amber’s main area of focus is in striving towards equitable access to education for young wheelchair users. She also dreams of helping achieve curriculum-level changes to the training that teachers receive when completing their PGCEs. This would help to equip future teachers with the knowledge and skills to better support young wheelchair users in education.
Away from education, raising awareness of the role of wheelchairs in managing Energy-Limiting Conditions is something she is really keen to achieve.
Young people leading change
To young wheelchair users looking to lead change in their communities or in society, Amber has the following message:
Leading change doesn’t have to be a big campaign; it could be as small as getting the local coffee shop to buy a portable ramp or reminding people not to block dropped kerbs when parking – it still has an impact.
Disabled people are the best problem-solvers I know, so having them at the forefront of changemaking is when innovative things happen.
Amber
As Amber continues her work as part of our Youth Board, she looks forward to continued involvement in projects that showcase how much joy a wheelchair can bring into a young person’s life. She also aims to meet more of the young people Whizz Kidz support with clubs and activities, as she understands first-hand the benefit of meeting other disabled people just living their lives.
If you’re a young wheelchair user curious about joining our Youth Board, Amber has some words of encouragement:
Absolutely go for it! It is the perfect space to be able to try new things in a supportive environment, and there is nothing better (or more chaotic) than getting to spend time with other young wheelchair users who just get it.
Amber
Find out more about the work of our Youth Board here.