About Me

I was born in Birmingham in 1958 and I went to King Edward VI Grammar School for Girls and then to Birmigham University to study law, and I later qualified as a Solicitor. I worked for a couple of local firms as an assistant Solicitor before I had my accident in 1984. I was knocked off my bike and broke my neck, which has left me paralysed from the shoulders down and confined to a wheelchair. I have no use of, or sensation in, my body below my chest. I have some use of my arms, but I am not able to use my hands or fingers. With the use of hand straps or gloves I am able to feed myself, operate the computer, clean my teeth and turn the pages in a book.

How I spend my day

I work a couple of mornings a week as an Employment Solicitor at Birmingham CAB (Citizen Advice Bureau) and also sit on Tribunals one or two days a month. I have two friendly Golden Retrievers, Honey Monster aged 4 and Misty aged 11, who always seem to be a big hit with my carers.

I take my dogs to the park, in my electric wheelchair most days, and love going to the theatre and cinema, as well as meeting my friends and spending time with my partner Philip. I usually need one of my carers to accompany me on all outings.

Philip and I like to travel very often and we have been to various places around the world. Whenever I go on holiday, a carer needs to accompany me.