Speaking and Consulting

Invisible disabilities is something many people live with and is very much at the top and forefront of many companies accessible employee policies and part of their corporate social responsibility objectives.*

I work collaboratively with employers, communities and organisations on helping them find ways to be more inclusive, to better understand the needs of and the challenges faced by those living with invisible disabilities.

I also guest speak at community, public, health professional and corporate events on the impact of sustaining a serious illness in mid-life, what life is like living with invisible disabilities, the art of human resilience as well as sharing my coping tools and entertaining stories along the way.

I offer:
– Speaker and/or facilitating workshops at staff training days
– Organise invisible disability awareness events and exhibitions
– Consultation on HR invisible disability policy and best practice
– Invisible disability focused strategic marketing and branding plans
– Advice ensuring your product, website and service design caters for accessible needs.

Feel free to contact me if you would like to find our more or to discuss your requirements.

I am proud have founded Living in the Grey (LITG):

Unifying, educating, supporting 

‘Because life with an invisible disability isn’t black or white’

Life for every single person isn’t black and/or white, it is about compromise and living in the grey in so many ways.  Even more so for those who have to live with invisible disabilities: the person isn’t fully abled nor fully visibly disabled.  Others can’t see the person’s disability much of the time, yet that person has to live with their unseen symptoms most, if not all of the time and these affect all areas of their life.

​Life with invisible disabilities is about compromise and living in the grey in so many ways. All day, every day.

It affects every single decision we have to make even on the small things that fully abled and healthy people do not have to think about. Tasks such as dressing, brushing our teeth or making a trip to the supermarket can take all the energy and ability we have for the day. Somedays, even these seemingly simple chores are an impossible task for those living in the grey.

​This is equally true for those facing health limitations that doesn’t leave them with a chronic disability but does mean they need extra support during times of need such as those having a sudden short-lived illness, operation or facing a highly stressful time.​

Founded in 2016, Living in the Grey (LITG) has been determined to make an impact.  LITG is about knowing that all it takes to change the world, whether it be for our own self or for many, is starting by taking just one step towards supporting, educating, informing and uniting.

The core values of LITG overall is to bring about positive change:

• ​by creating a society where people understand how they can utilise the power of their body & mind to have a richer and more colourful living experience whilst living in the grey,
  

• for those with invisible disabilities to be able to navigate the world and have a fuller experience of life. So that they can be understood, offered assistance when needed and to not have to explain themselves. Not to suffer, go without or be judged.

How?

• Running national social media campaigns to encourage public participation to raise awareness.

• Using abstract storytelling such as this online exhibition to inform and engage the public, service providers and policy influencers and decision makers.

• Consulting and facilitating roundtable discussions with organisations and charities to unite on creating a unified national invisible disabilities campaigns to educate the public, employers and service providers.

• Working with charities policy and PR teams on strategy and stakeholder engagement to engage effectively with government and other decision making organisations to impact a positive policy change on the themes of:

  • creating a safe system for those with invisible disabilities who have symptoms that vary moment to moment, can be financially safe and supported into going back to work they find rewarding and fulfilling without the fear of poverty and homelessness 

  • ensuring the right support services are there for those aged 18-65 who live alone and are without private support, those who fall through the gaps of social, therapeutic, OT and grant support to have a fuller, more meaningful living experience aside from their disabling and limiting symptoms. 

Please do get in touch if you feel you have relevant experience and expertise that can propel the LITG campaign forward.​

LITG is about progressive ideas, bold actions, and is built on a strong foundation of resilience and wisdom.​

Contact me for speaking and writing commissions or to facilitate employer training sessions or other workshops 

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“You are more, what is your more?”

*Of 11 million registered disabled people in the UK, only 8% are in a wheelchair and another 3% have visible disabilities, St Andrew’s University.