In a world which is often quick to pity those who rely on the use of any mobility aid, such as a wheelchair, meant I wanted to shine a light on why many of us actually really appreciate our wheelchairs and truly see them as having a positive and empowering impact on our daily lives.

Whilst my wheelchair is seamlessly just a part of my daily life for those who know me, taking a moment to recognise its true purpose, just shows how integral it is to my everyday existence (as it is for many other wheelchair users) However before I go further, I’d just like to recognise that although I am unable to walk, and therefore rely on my wheelchair all the time, many wheelchair users are actually able to walk sometimes, and need to rely on their chair from time to time. Both of these reasons are completely valid, and I’m conscious that often part-time wheelchair users, also often described as ambulatory wheelchair users, can get a hard time and receive judgement for this. This often comes from a lack of understanding that many people’s disabilities and how they effect them, can vary from day to day. I just wanted to make it clear from my perspective, that wheelchairs can be life changing for many people who are diagnosed with disabilities and health conditions, no matter how much or how often they rely on them. 

I find it very disheartening that some people still view mobility aids, particularly wheelchairs, negatively. Comments, often from strangers, expressing sentiments like “being in a wheelchair is the worst thing I can imagine happening to me” are incredibly frustrating and stem from an uninformed perception of my life.

My wheelchair, an incredible piece of technology, has evolved over the years, granting me limitless possibilities. It provides me with absolute independence, enabling a life that, as a child, I could only have dreamt of. Why would needing it to get around be considered a drawback or negative? My wheelchair enables me to live a fully independent life, travel the world and go on many adventures. My tennis wheelchair specifically aided me to become one of the world’s most successful wheelchair tennis players.

Today, I cannot express enough gratitude for my wheelchair and the daily freedom it gives me. My appreciation extends to those continuously enhancing equipment accessibility and the supportive people who refrain from judgment or pity based on my seated lifestyle. Despite occasional struggles, like everyone else, life is, for the most part, pretty awesome!