Sally Raper

26/02/2022

29/01/2022

“I loved it but I found it hard being a wheelchair user in my class…In year six they took the whole of my class to France … and I couldn’t go because they didn’t have access … I enjoyed learning but I also felt segregated.”

In our last 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.

A quadriplegia cerebral palsy, with all of his four limbs affected by this condition, Chirag describes for us his day-to-day life with the help of his PA .He enjoys swimming and plays boccia, Chirag tells us he’s learnt the importance of teamwork through these sports and they have improved his confidence.

We interviewed Chirag during Covid19 lockdown and at that time, he was at home, feeling frustrated but learning new skills for future employment. The pandemic he says has “changed my perception of life because I don’t know what the future will hold and it’s really worrying me. But on the good side, I can operate from home.”

Thanks to National Lottery Heritage Fund we’ve released 30 stories from both wheelchair users, and people working alongside them, to mark our 30th anniversary ⭐

This wide-ranging and historically significant project will result in stories being archived as part of The British Library's catalogue of National Life Stories, ensuring that the life experiences of wheelchair users and those working alongside them are captured forever 💪

A big thank you to our fantastic volunteer and interviewer Karen Horton for your help on this story 💚

We hope you’ve enjoyed listening and massive thank you to everyone who made this possible!👏 Stay tuned for updates on the project when they come in…

Listen to Chirag’s interview and other on our website now: https://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/charity/30-years-30-stories/chirags-story

19/01/2022

“I think the advice that I would give to a younger me or anyone that's newly using a wheelchair, is try to just not let people's perceptions get to you.”

Sophie it seems, has nine lives. Despite over 187 emergency admissions into hospital in just 18 months, she manages to laugh and smile her way through her interview.

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 💚

Living with a rare form of Brittle Diabetes, Functional Neurological Disorder, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Hypermobility Syndrome, Sophie describes the moment she had to pop her dislocated shoulder back in during table tennis at the The British Transplant Games

She took home two medals that year – a bronze for swimming and a gold for archery. Sophie also touches on public attitudes towards disability, and has some sound advice for wheelchair users.

Thanks to National Lottery Heritage Fund we’re releasing 30 stories from both wheelchair users, and people working alongside them, to mark our 30th anniversary ⭐

This wide-ranging and historically significant project will result in stories being archived as part of The British Library's catalogue of National Life Stories, ensuring that the life experiences of wheelchair users and those working alongside them are captured forever 💪

A big thank you to our fantastic volunteer and interviewer Beth Hayes, and Sally R***r our editor on this interview 💚

Listen to Sophie’s full interview and other on our website now: https://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/charity/30-years-30-stories/sophies-story