Trustee and Disability Champion
“Various members of my family were born with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a disease that means the body produces faulty collagen. Then at 15 I was “lucky” enough to develop systemic lupus after a relatively mild flu! The lupus wasn’t diagnosed until I was in my early 20s so things started looking up when I was finally on the right treatment. I went to the University of Glasgow to get my B.Sc. in anatomy and more recently completed my Masters in biomedical sciences. Unfortunately it has been very difficult finding work in my field with few enough hours that also meet my access needs.
I got involved with CILPK almost by chance; I didn’t know it existed until I heard about the Stagecoach open day in 2019 and met Mel and Gillian, and I was keen to get involved. Everyone has been so welcoming, and taking part in all sorts of activities with CILPK has worked wonders on my confidence.
10 years ago, I’d never have believed that I would be doing a lot of what I do with the group and certainly not becoming a trustee or treasurer! I am much more likely now to give new things a try. As well as knowing that we are making changes in Perth and Kinross, it has made a big difference to me to meet other local disabled people. As an autistic person, I found socialising very difficult as a teenager and young adult, and I think CILPK has given me a space to more comfortably be myself.
Outside CILPK, I am also involved with Lupus UK and producing and proofreading e-books for Project Gutenberg. I used to volunteer at the cat shelter in Dundee grooming and playing with the cats until it became too difficult but we should be getting a cat at home in the near future! Otherwise, my main interest is languages; I like to translate books and songs. I also like doing trivia, reading, and spending time with my young nieces and nephews.
CILPK is an important part of my life and I’m glad to be here!”