Disabled and Proud

This week on Disabled and Proud Brooke Millhouse is joined by Sophie Bradbury-Cox, aka FashionBelle, who has been a wheelchair user since she was a teenager.

She started out studying art and wanted to pursue fashion but she was discouraged by not being accepted on a college course due to her disability. 

Sophie is known for her colourful, trendy style and body positivity. She started her instagram page a few years ago and she now has more than 21,000 followers. She is on a mission to show that disabled people can be fashionable.

Instagram @fashionbellee 

In this episode you will hear:

• Why Sophie decided to start her Instagram page
• The problems Sophie faced as a wheelchair user when she became a mother
• What Sophie is doing to normalise disabled needs in the fashion world 
• How Sophie has adapted her life around her disability

Enjoyed this show? Tell us your favourite moment by connecting with Brooke via https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/

About This Show: 

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 

Disabled & Proud does exactly what is says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without need to conform for society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en: https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en

This week on Disabled and Proud Brooke Millhouse is joined by Blaine Harrison, lead singer of Mystery Jets.

Blaine was born with the disability spina bifida, which has affected his leg muscles since he was a child. In the early stages of his life he struggled to come to terms with his disability but now he is a proud role model for other people living with disabilities.

For him, playing live as someone with a physical impairment is sometimes hard work, seeing as many modern facilities still do not have the means to cater for disabled people. Blaine is an advocate for venue accessibility and his band will only play in venues that have made an effort to cater for people with disabilities.

In this episode you will hear:

• Blaine’s struggle to accept his disability 
• What it is like to be a touring musician with a disability
• Why more venues and festivals should improve their accessibility
• How Blaine’s health affected his ability to perform with his band Mystery Jets

Enjoyed this show? Tell us your favourite moment by connecting with Brooke via https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/

About This Show: 

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 

Disabled & Proud does exactly what is says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without need to conform for society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en: https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en

This week on Disabled and Proud Brooke Millhouse is joined by Gemma Turner who has a condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (type 3) aka Brittle Bones, and has broken over 300 bones in her body.

Gemma’s parents were a great help in her starting work in the media industry. She writes a blog where she shares her daily experiences and frustrations about the things disabled people regularly face. Gem has created a relatable platform for disabled people and is an advocate for disability inclusion. 

In this episode you will hear: 

• Why Gemma doesn’t always go into detail about her disability
• Gem’s journey to getting her own independence
• Why Gem struggled getting into the workforce 
• How to normalise being disabled
• The pressures people in the disabled community face

Enjoyed this show? Tell us your favourite moment by connecting with Brooke via https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/

About This Show: 

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 

Disabled & Proud does exactly what is says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without need to conform for society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en: https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en

This week on Disabled and Proud Brooke Millhouse is joined by Dom Hyams, who was born with a rare form of brittle bone disease. Dom is the founder and director of digital marketing agency Tiny Man Digital, as well as the Head of Strategy at Purple Goat Agency, the world's first and only disability-led and disability focused marketing agency. They create inclusive, representative and forward thinking marketing campaigns by integrating disability best practices and lived-experience in all aspects of campaign development and execution.

Dom highlights how disability issues are higher on the agenda than they have ever been, and how disability awareness is growing. Despite this disabled people are still affected by social barriers and accessibility issues. Dom’s goal is to normalise disabled people in advertising and use them as a way to highlight product features and issues that we otherwise may not have seen or known about.

In this episode you will hear: 

• How Dom’s disability affects his life
• What it was like growing up not knowing other disabled people 
• How he went from furloughed to founder during lockdown.

Enjoyed this show? Tell us your favourite moment by connecting with Brooke via https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/

About This Show: 

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 

Disabled & Proud does exactly what is says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without need to conform for society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en: https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en

This week on Disabled and Proud Brooke Millhouse is joined by Victoria Jenkins, the founder of Unhidden, an adaptive fashion brand that is truly championing the way forward for British adaptive fashion. She became Disabled in her 20s and describes herself as having a hidden disability which is due to a mix of different health factors. 

Victoria talks about how Unhidden came to be, medical gaslighting, and the joys of the disabled community. She has worked with big brands such as Jack Wills & Victoria Beckham. Victoria highlights the issues faced by disabled models and brands to not only be seen but also be accepted as a part of the scene.

In this episode you will hear:

• Victoria’s struggle getting a diagnosis for her disability 
• What led her to start Unhidden
• The problems Victoria has had with getting her brand on the runway
• The work Victoria is doing to improve the visibility of disabled people

Enjoyed this show? Tell us your favourite moment by connecting with Brooke via https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/

About This Show: 

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 

Disabled & Proud does exactly what is says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without need to conform for society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en: https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en

This week on Disabled and Proud Brooke Millhouse is joined by Dan Richards, a professional model, cyclist, and body confidence ambassador.

Whilst serving in the Army he fell off of his motorbike and had his arm and shoulder removed as well as having his ankle fused as a result. Dan has such a strong mindset and did not let this phase him.

After he left the army he took part in the Invictus games, and was a presenter on the show "naked beach". He is now a cyclist and has his sights set on cycling across the US!

In this episode you will hear: 

• How Dan lost his arm
• What Dan did after relieving the army 
• Why he started to compete as a disabled athlete 
• How Dan improved his mindset towards being disabled

Enjoyed this show? Tell us your favourite moment by connecting with Brooke via https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/

About This Show: 

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 

Disabled & Proud does exactly what is says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without need to conform for society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en: https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en

This week on Disabled and Proud Brooke Millhouse is joined by international para-athlete Sophie Elwes.

Sophie has a spinal cord injury after a fall from a balcony, but she did not let this stop her from living a life filled with excitement and adventure. After adjusting to life with her spinal cord injury she went on to represent Great Britain in adaptive skiing and waterskiing, and overcame many physical and mental hurdles along the way.

Sophie speaks on her experience being a disabled athlete and how her disability has made her push herself to prove, not only to herself but also to others, that having a disability doesn’t affect your ability to participate in activities.

In this episode you will hear: 

• Overcoming a traumatic injury
• ​Competing in adaptive skiing and waterskiing
• Why Sophie made a career change

Enjoyed this show? Tell us your favourite moment by connecting with Brooke via https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/

About This Show: 

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 

Disabled & Proud does exactly what is says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without need to conform for society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en: https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en

This week on Disabled and Proud Brooke Millhouse is joined by Dave Walsh, who has Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. This means his MS will never get better, just progressively worse.

Through his transition from being able-bodied to having a disability, Dave learned that your dreams and aspirations don’t have to end. The way to achieve your dreams is by learning how to adapt.

Dave used to take part in able-bodied Strongman competitions until he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He came across someone competing in Disabled Strongman and found a great community there, which got him hooked on adaptive lifting. He now competes in his wheelchair in the seated category and is #1 Disabled Strongman in Britain.

In this episode you will hear:

• How Dave adapted to living with Multiple Sclerosis 
• What Adaptive sports are available
• How he became the #1 British Strongman Disabled Man
• What it's like to find employment when you are disbaled

Enjoyed this show? Tell us your favourite moment by connecting with Brooke via https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/

About This Show: 

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 

Disabled & Proud does exactly what is says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without need to conform for society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en: https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en

This week on Disabled and Proud Brooke Millhouse is joined by Samantha Renke who has a condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta, also known as Brittle Bone disease, which is a genetic condition characterised by bones that break easily.

She does not let her condition get in the way of her living a full life. She is an actress, disability activist, writer, inclusion and equality consultant, and keynote speaker.

Samantha is also a columnist for the Metro and has written articles on what it is like to be disabled, as well as the financial and social costs of being disabled. She has also written a book “You Are The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread” which is about the lessons she has learned in life and why, irrespective of the obstacles you might face, you can do whatever you want.

In this episode you will hear:

• About Samanatha’s disability
• What issues she's faced in life as a disabled person
• Why she wrote her book
• How you can be an ally for the disabled community

Enjoyed this show? Tell us your favourite moment by connecting with Brooke via https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/

About This Show: 

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 

Disabled & Proud does exactly what is says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without need to conform for society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection! 

INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en: https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en

This week on Disabled and Proud Brooke Millhouse is joined by Marlon from TCK Brand. He was born with spina bifida, a birth defect that means the spine and the spinal cord do not develop completely. His condition comes with neurological difficulties such as having a hard time learning or focusing on things. Marlon does not let his disability stop him from enjoying his life; he is currently studying at university and is running his own fashion brand TCK.  

The disabled community is the largest minority group but they are also the most underrepresented. Marlon wants disabled people to have more visibility in media and clothing which is why his brand is made specifically for the disabled community by the disabled community. 

In this episode you will hear: 

• How Marlon’s disability affects his life
• Why he started TCK Brand
• What to do to become comfortable with your disability
• Ways to better include the disabled community in activities

Enjoyed this show? Tell us your favourite moment by connecting with Brooke via https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/

Connect with Marlon and the amazing work he is doing with TCK Brand via https://tckbrand.com/

About This Show: 

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 

Disabled & Proud does exactly what is says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without need to conform for society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection! 

INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en: https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en