In this episode of The Sally Steele Show, I sat down with powerhouse Kelly Perks-Bevington. Kelly has a super cool sense of style, is featured in my book "Dare More, Care Less" and is an absolute inspiration to all she meets. A young entrepreneur & business owner, TV & Media Presenter, Ability Advocate and Inclusion Consultant, Kelly gives out positive vibes wherever she goes.

Born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and a wheelchair user, Kelly is used to confidently facing her challenges head on and is a gifted problem-solver. She enjoys dismantling judgement and stigma around living boldly with a disability and is passionate about inspiring real change in mindsets & behaviour in the able-bodied world. Through her Ability & Inclusion consultancy and media presence she is also improving the lives and experiences of others living with a disability.  Kelly truly lives and breathes the philosophy of my book "Dare More, Care Less", enjoy this eye-opening and profoundly inspiring episode.

In this episode we chat about:

• Kelly's early childhood memories shaped by beloved clothing she remembers vividly.
• Her early experiences as a teen wheelchair user and her bold early advocacy for herself to attend the mainstream school of her choice as the first wheelchair user.
• The ways teachers inadvertently have made her feel ashamed and minimised as a wheelchair user and why she is a such a strong advocate for more open, honest conversations around disabilities.
• The evolution of Kelly's bold personal style and makeup preferences inspired by Tarantino films and music icons.
• How she began getting into tattoos and the special meaning behind her first tattoo.
• Her experiences of the stereotypes and limitations society and employers put on wheelchair users and those living with a disability.
• Kelly's successful career in the competitive and image-conscious world of Lifestyle Concierge and how she courageously began her own consultancy because of the toxic masculinity and discrimination she endured as a young female wheelchair-user.
• Current collaborations she is enjoying, including developing sex toys for those with a disability as well as overcoming her own insecurities to film a campaign to raise standards in sexual health and sexual awareness for disabled people.
• The difficulties and fears she faced ending a marriage, when her husband was also her main carer and how her personal experience has led to a new career helping others.
• How she never dresses for the occasion but how she feels about the occasion and loves to challenge socio-economic stereotypes with her personal style.
• Dating as a disabled person and how Kelly has finally fallen in love with someone with similar values who supports her ambitions and believes in her.
• Her experience of pregnancy, labour and lockdown, whilst living with her genetic condition type 3 Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) during COVID-19.
• What she has learned about herself and raising a toddler and newborn during strict lockdown.
• What well known artwork stopped Kelly in her tracks
• And finally, we hear about the bespoke care providing organisation Kelly works with 'Care Preference UK'.

So, sit back and enjoy this inspiring episode with Kelly Perks-Bevington

 

TRIGGER WARNING – This episode contains mentions of suicide – if you or someone you know needs help please contact Lifeline Australia 13 11 14  or SupportLine UK  01708 765200

 

Links:

Check out Kelly's Blog

Find Kelly Perks - Bevington on Instagram

To find out more on 'Care Preference', connect with Kelly directly or head to their website

 

Buy Sally's Book "Dare More, Care Less"

Follow the show on Instagram @thesallysteeleshow

Find Sally on Instagram

@STEELEmystyle

@ItsSallySteele

@DareMoreCareLess

Sally Steele