In February 2022 I was diagnosed with Cervical Myelopathy and therefore, on March the 15th that same year I underwent surgery at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton. The operation was a success and then I was discharged a week later and transferred to West Park Rehabilitation Hospital. However, I was left very disappointed as I did not receive regular physiotherapy sessions as I only received twenty minutes a day if I was lucky as that didn’t always happen. There was no physio on the weekends.

I also felt my Cerebral Palsy was not taken into consideration either and instead I felt that I was treated like an eighty year old by the physiotherapists in that they were not very encouraging and saying that this was as good as it is likely to get. They implied that it would be unsafe for me now to carry out my daily routines and tasks independently and from now onwards I would require the intervention and support of cares in my life and quite frankly I was extremely disappointed!

This is why that on my behalf my Mother contacted NICE - Centre for Movement Disorders in Birmingham. I then had a Zoom consultation in July for an hour with a Senior Conductor in where I demonstrated the range of movements I could complete.

The exercises included moving my legs up and down, kicking my legs forwards and lifting my arms up and down. I also mentioned that I do some standing and squats during the day using a Molift (Transferring Aid). The consultation went very well and I was extremely happy as the Conductor stated that they would be able to help me improve my mobility and more.

I joined a Conductive Education session on the 12th of September 2022 at their adult services. I attend a Cerebral Palsy group on a weekly basis every Monday for an hour and half session  

Conductive Education was developed by Dr Andras Peto in 1945 in Budapest, Hungary. It is a form of rehabilitation that uses minimal equipment and therefore educates individuals through movement and exercise.

This enables individuals with movement disorders to lead a more active and independent life as possible and integrate in society more.

The Conductor plans, structures and delivers the Conductive Education program and also teaches individuals how they can achieve their goals. The Conductor also guides and explains the group of muscles that should be used to complete each movement or exercise the correct way.

This knowledge and understanding has been very beneficial as due to my disability and difficulty my body has learned to compensate some movements. This has been by using my neck and shoulders which has unknowingly, over time impacted on my body having it to work twice as hard as normal. Which sadly I believe may have contributed in me having to undergo Cervical Myelopathy surgery.

The session includes a range of exercises lying down on the plinth from your head right down to your toes including rolling over and sitting up on the plinth. Every movement is spoken out in a rhythm in the form of a count from one to five which helps the individual to perform the movement faster. The plinth program also includes exercises to improve coordination, breathing and exercises to improve your vocals and range. I believe that the plinth program has benefited me as my muscles feel less tight and I feel that my control in legs have improved.

The most challenging exercise for me during the plinth program is crossing my leg over the other leg and vice versa. I also find it difficult to roll over and sit up from the lying down position however, I am confident that I will overcome these difficulties with practice.

After completing the exercise on the plinth we then do some seated work on a wooden chair which include moving your head up and down. Stepping forwards and then backwards with each leg and this exercise is difficult because I have to maintain my core strength at the same time. We then do some standing using parallel bars and I try my level best to straighten my legs as much as possible whilst maintaining my balance. It is difficult for me to straighten my legs which means I have less stamina which results in me getting tired quickly.

There is usually a short group activity planned as well for example throwing a ball to one another and catching it. Another activity I was involved in was cutting out pre-made Christmas decorations and then gluing them together. It was good fun and an opportunity to interact with all the participants in the group and in this instance improve my dexterity and fine movement skills.

We finish the amazing Conductive Education program by practicing walking to our wheelchairs and I use a Zimmer frame. I believe my walking has improved with the Zimmer frame in terms of being able to distribute my weight on both legs better.

Conductive Education at NICE is brilliant and a life changing concept of rehabilitation and I would highly recommend it!

The reason for my recommendation is that from just receiving my first session I noticed a difference in how relaxed my muscles were. I was also able to walk for the first time since 2004 from the plinth to my wheelchair with a Zimmer frame. Two Conductors supported me one on each side and I managed to do it without my knees collapsing and my parents and I were very proud! Also, since joining NICE I now believe I will have more of an optimistic future as I have become more independent.

I was contacted via email by Leonard Cheshire's Campaigns Team back in August 2022 with an amazing opportunity from the Media Team. It was to share my campaigning journey and experiences with the charity and I agreed as I wanted to support other disabled people wishing to start campaigning.

An interview was then organised and conducted via Microsoft Teams by Communications Manager which was fantastic experience. It was then formatted into an interview style Blog post and I am pleased to announce that it is now is live on Leonard Cheshire’s website.

I would like to thank Leonard Cheshire for giving me this brilliant opportunity.

I was overjoyed with happiness and excitement as my family had invited me to an Afternoon Tea at the Coombe Abbey Hotel in Coventry. It was organised in December as part of my 40th Birthday celebrations however it was postponed twice. Due to the Coronavirus restrictions and it was very disappointing but safely is more important.

The Coronavirus restrictions were finally relaxed in May and therefore we went to the Afternoon Tea on 11th of July 2021. I was supper excited as I had always wanted to go to a proper Afternoon Tea served at a hotel to witness the whole experience. My parents and I travelled by car to Coventry and it was a relaxing journey as the weather was beautiful and I had a chance to soak up some sun!  

On arrival my first impressions were that the grounds were massive and the surroundings where beautiful. We then went inside the hotel and there were waiting all my siblings with their partners as they are all married now. It was lovely to see everybody after such a long time and finally celebrate the final part of my birthday.

We then all headed out into a fantastic looking conservatory to have a good chat with everyone and ordered some soft drinks. I ordered lemonade which was very refreshing just what I needed to cool me down and all set to experience the Afternoon Tea.

The time had finally arrived and we went to a beautiful Garden Room Restaurant where the Afternoon Tea was going to be served. Two tables were booked for my family where the Ladies and Gents were seated on separate tables. All socially distanced following the UK Government Coronavirus rules and precautions to ensure that everybody was safe.

The Knight’s Afternoon Tea which I choose as it looked absolutely delicious and very tempting with English Breakfast Tea. Some of the dishes in the selection were Smoked Ham Croque Monsieur in a Bun, Mini Merguez Chipolatas Sausage and Basil Mustard Mash Potato. Which also included a Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Chipotle Slider in a burger and a Malt Kiln Pork Pie and Sweet Balsamic Onions. I really enjoyed the savoury dishes in The Knight’s Afternoon Tea selection as they were all scrumptious and freshly made.

The Afternoon Tea desserts included a Victoria Sponge and a Ginger and Rhubarb Cheesecake housed in a flower pot. I thought you were only meant to eat the filling but I was amazed that the flower pot was edible made with White Chocolate. The desserts were absolutely delicious and each flavour complimented each other very nicely and I was very impressed!

It was a lovely afternoon and I had an absolutely wonderful experience and I will be definitely coming back again.

I was thrilled to be part of the virtual audience on Gordon Ramsay's Bank Balance, episode 6 which was aired on the 5th of March 2021 on BBC One at 9 p.m. 😊

In September I participated in a travel focus group as Leonard Cheshire were working with the Expedia Group to author a report on disability inclusion & the travel industry. I shared my experiences both in the UK & abroad & I am happy to share the report.😊

I was an extra in the 'Actually I Can' film for Leonard Cheshire and I am very excited to share the film.

I went to Battersea in London on the 15th of August 2019 as I took part in a new film titled #ActuallyIcan for Leonard Cheshire. I was super excited when I got the opportunity as I very much enjoy the experience of being on camera.

I travelled to London with my mum by train and it was a relaxing journey as l was watching a television programme on my mobile. When we arrived at London Euston we caught a taxi to Randall Close Resource Centre in Battersea. This was the location for the filming of the #ActuallyIcan movie and is also one of Leonard Cheshire’s day services.

Once we arrived we were welcomed by a member of staff from Leonard Cheshire and taken to the kitchen. Where I met all the participants taking part in the film and then we were treated to a delicious breakfast.

The day began with the filming of the main character and the scene that shows a happy atmosphere at Leonard Cheshire. Whilst this was being filmed I was in the kitchen talking to the rest participants as I was an extra in the film. I did not need to learn a script just be in the movie and I was very much looking forward to what was in store for me.

A make-up artist then styled my hair and applied gel in my hair and I felt amazing, just like an A-list superstar!

The wait was finally over and scenes about a Can Do workshop were next to be filmed and I was super excited. My mum and I along with the rest of the participants were informed to go to a room were the filming was going to take place. We were part of the audience and the scenes were all based around employment and how Leonard Cheshire can support volunteers.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the process of filming making and whilst the scenes were being shot I could also see it on the monitors. The set-up was also very professional with all the cameras, monitors, lighting, microphones and a device was used to check the sound.

There was a break for lunch and on offer were a selection of sandwiches and they looked very tempting. However, I decided to have something warm so therefore I chose to have chicken and rice with some Falafel and salad. My lunch was very tasty and I particularly enjoyed the Falafel which I had not tried before and is a dish from the Middle East.

The filming restarted after lunch and the next scene was ready to be shot and based on the desire to take up volunteering at the weekend. There were a few retakes for the scene as many of the participants including myself burst into laughter. Despite that we all managed to keep our composure and the scene was shot brilliantly executed.

This was the end of my shoot and I was no longer required in the film so we were allowed to go home. The whole experience was absolutely amazing as I always wanted to learn the art of film making. However, filming continued and was completed the following day and I am really excited for the release.

My mum and I then said farewell to the participants before leaving for London Euston and then catching the train back to Wolverhampton.

I received a wonderful email in May from the Can Do Program Coordinator based in Wolverhampton. This amazing opportunity was to attend a cake judging event at Berwick Partners in Birmingham on the 26th of June 2019. I was absolutely delighted when this opportunity came though as I have a passion for desserts and how could I possibly say no?

Berwick Partners are a search and recruitment company who raised money for Leonard Cheshire. This is because corporate companies often choose a charity of the year to support and they held a cake sale. 

I travelled by train to Birmingham and I was accompanied by the Can Do Program coordinator from Wolverhampton. On arrival at Birmingham New Street Railway Station we decided to make our onward journey to Berwick Partners by foot. This was because it was a lovely day and it was only 10 minutes walk from the railway station.

When we arrived at the organisation we were greeted by a member of staff and then taken to the boardroom. This was where the event was held and as I entered the room all the cakes were on display on the boardroom table. The cakes were made by some employees of Berwick Partners and my first impressions were that looked fantastic. My mouth was watering and I could wait to dig in and start tasting and judging the absolutely delicious looking cakes.

The event began and trust me on this, I was in complete heaven as all the cakes tasted amazing. All the selection of cakes were moist and they were very well baked and brilliantly executed. It was also great to see that everyone really made an effort for the cakes not only to taste good but also to look good as well.

It was difficult to choose a winner because all the cakes were amazing but there could only be one winner. A chocolate cake was the best cake as it looked stunning and tasted divine and I could see it featured on the front cover of a magazine. 

This then followed a brilliant and uplifting speech from the Can Do Program Coordinator of Leonard Cheshire. It was about Leonard Cheshire and the Can Do Program which made me feel very proud to be associated with the organisation.

My speech then followed and I spoke about some of the events I attended with the charity and how it supported me. I mentioned that I attended a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace for my recognition for all my work for the charity. I went on further and spoke about that I have done speeches at the Houses of Parliament in London. This also included a speech in Manchester at a Disability Employment Conference organised by Leonard Cheshire. Lastly, I spoke about my work placement in the office of my local MP Emma Reynolds and some of the duties I undertook.

I delivered my speech without any preparation as I was unaware that I was to be given the opportunity to speak at the event. I was nervous at first and I got tongue twisted however as I continued speaking I began to relax and managed to complete my speech. I received positive feedback from the Managing Director of Berwick Partners and he said “Your speech was very good.'' The staff of the organisation also seemed very interested in what I had to say as they asked many questions at the end.

The event was fantastic and I loved judging and tasting the delicious cakes as it was an amazing experience!

I would like to say a huge thank you to Berwick Partners for giving me the opportunity to be a judge. I would also like to say a huge thank you to Leonard Cheshire for making it possible for me to attend this fantastic event!

Afterwards, the Program Coordinator and I went to The Secret Garden at the Library of Birmingham. The garden was located on a terrace and it looked very modern and the surroundings were also amazing. I had a stroll round, taking in the beautiful smells of a variety of flowers whilst exploring the wonderful space. We then took some photographs and then headed back to Birmingham New Street and caught the train back to Wolverhampton.

In February 2019 I received some exciting news from the Head of Community Partnerships at Leonard Cheshire.

The news just blew me away and I felt very honoured, and proud and very humbled to receive a nomination to attend the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on the 21st of May 2019 for all the hard work and support I had given since joining the organisation in 2017.

I was informed that this nomination was a token of appreciation and that I was instantly thought of when the opportunity came from Buckingham Palace.

I instantly agreed to the opportunity as it felt fantastic that Leonard Cheshire had appreciated all my work and support. There were only a select number of places available to the organisation and I was absolutely honoured to be given the opportunity. It is an absolute privilege to be invited by Her Majesty the Queen to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. This was a brilliant opportunity as the garden is never open to the general public and I was extremely excited!

I officially received an invitation in April from the Lord Chamberlain at Buckingham Palace. The envelope was elegant with the Royal crest stamp at the back and the invitation was also printed to the highest standard.

Her Majesty the Queen officially invited me and my Mum to the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. It felt fantastic when the invitation came through the post as it was official that I was attending a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.

The very special day had arrived which was going to be one of the most memorable days of our lives. We both bought brand new clothes for this very special occasion and I wore a suit and my mum wore a beautiful dress with a fascinator.

We travelled by train to London and thereafter we caught a taxi to Green Park to meet and greet the rest of our group who included the Executive Director (International) and the Chair of the Staff Association from Leonard Cheshire. We then all made our way to Buckingham Palace which was a very short distance from the park.

Buckingham Palace looked absolutely awesome and majestic and I was very much looking forward to going inside. The guests who were disabled or wheelchair bound queued at the side entrance as there were steps at the front of Buckingham Palace. There were eight-thousand people expected to attend the event and our group were only in the queue for a very short time as everything was very well organised.

I was very impressed as the palace has taken great care whilst planning this prestigious event to ensure that all the guests attending the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace have an unforgettable experience.

Security was tight as you would expect as an armed police officer checked our passports and admissions cards before we were allowed to enter Buckingham Palace.

Once inside, my first impressions of Buckingham Palace was that it was a beautiful building. I could not actually believe that I was in Buckingham Palace because I have always seen the world famous building on television. However, I have now seen it up close and it was a wonderful feeling and it is quite difficult to express into words. We then made our way to the palace garden and showed our admission cards again which had to be surrendered. Luckily I photocopied our admission cards beforehand as a keepsake.I even asked if I could keep them but I was informed that had to be surrendered as it helped the palace to know how many guests attended the garden party

I entered the palace garden and I felt honoured and privileged to be invited to this lavish event. The garden was absolutely massive and the surroundings were outstanding which looked very grand. I could hear the military band on arrival and after taking some photographs our group all headed to the terrace. This was where Her Majesty the Queen was due to make her entrance with members of the Royal Family. I was very excited as I was going to witness some extraordinary scenes at 4pm which will remain very special to me forever. A clear route was needed to ensure the Royal Family could make there way down to the lawn to meet the guests. This was why no one was not allowed to go close to the terrace and the guards were ensuring that everyone stayed back on the lawn. However, my mum asked the guards and then they allowed us and many others in wheelchairs to be in a line near the front.

Her Majesty the Queen and members of the Royal Family made their entrance onto the terrace. The National Anthem was then played by the military band and it felt very special almost like if I was a celebrity as well.

When Her Majesty the Queen and the other members of the Royal Family were walking down the steps, I caught a glimpse of Prince William and Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge and my excitement increased as I hoped that I would be able to meet them. Unbelievable, I could not believe what I had just seen it was truly amazing and it was an absolute honour.

Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex also came down the steps and he spoke to me and began by asking “Where have you come from today?”

I replied ” I have come from Wolverhampton with my mum”. He then replied “Nice to meet you, are you having a good time?”

I then went on to say “Yes, I am having a wonderful time”. He then went on to say “Good, it is a beautiful day and I was at the Chelsea Flower Show yesterday”.

I didn’t get to speak to any other members of the Royal family at that time as they walked the other way directly onto the garden lawn which was slightly disappointing for me as it was impossible to get close to them as they were surrounded by lots of people.

When the entrance parade finished my mum and I then went to one of two Tea Tents installed at the Palace Grounds. We had Afternoon Tea which was absolutely delicious served on beautiful white plates and it made me feel like Royalty.

Whilst enjoying our delicious food my mum asked a guard whether there was a possibility of our group meeting the Royal Family. He replied “Yes, at 5pm guests with disabilities will get the opportunity to be presented to the Royal Family”. I was overjoyed with happiness already for just being invited but now getting the opportunity to be presented to the Royal Family was brilliant. I was quite frankly speechless as this was going to one of the best events I had ever attended, absolutely wonderful!

We explored the beautiful Palace garden and the atmosphere and weather was fantastic which made it all the more special for both of us. We now made our way to the location were we going to be presented to the Royal Family and I was very happy.

The security was very tight and my mum and I were placed in a very long line where I was at the front and my mum was standing behind me. The first Royal to greet the guests was Her Majesty the Queen and it was wonderful to see Her Majesty right in front of my eyes. I did not manage to shake hands with Her Majesty whilst Her Majesty the Queen was walking down our line. However, Her Majesty the Queen did say “So we were lucky today” and my mum replied “The weather was stunning”.

I met the following Royals who included Sophie, Countess of Wessex and she asked “Did you have a good day too” I then replied “Yes I did thank you”. Sophie, Countess of Wessex replied “Wonderful”. She was followed by Duchess of Gloucester, she asked “Did you enjoy the Garden Party?” I replied “Yes I did thank you”. The Duchess of Gloucester went on to ask me “Will you come again if you’re asked”? I replied “Yes I will do” and The Duchess of Gloucester replied “I will remember that” and then she laughed. Wow, absolutely amazing!

I also met Prince William, and Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge.

Prince William shook my hand and I began to introduce myself by saying “Hello I am from Wolverhampton”. Prince William replied “So good to see you” and then I replied “And you as well”. He went on to ask” And have you come down today have you?” I then replied “Yes I have” then William replied “Good”. Prince William continued conversation with me. He then asked me “Did you have a lovely day?” I replied “Yes, I have had a wonderful time “He replied “Good” He went on further and asked “Have you had a chance to look around the garden?” I replied” I did, yes its immaculate”. Prince William laughed and said “I will pass on your comments on to the gardener”, at this point everyone was still laughing in my group. Prince William then said “Nice to meet you” I replied “and you” Prince William was extremely friendly. I could sense that The Duke of Cambridge was very interested in what I had to say, I could not stop smiling after Prince William had left.

Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge was the final member of the Royals to meet and greet me. Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge shook my hand and said “Hello lovely to meet you” I replied and you as well” Catherine went on to ask “Have you had a good afternoon?” I replied “Yes, I did thank you” Catherine then said “Good”. I then said “I have come from Wolverhampton with my mum” and then Catherine says “Yes” and then shakes my mum’s hand. The Duchess of Cambridge looked stunning and she was very friendly and so down to earth, I was truly lost for words.

This brought the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace to a close and before we made our way out we took more photographs and said farewell to our group before heading out of the Palace gates.

It was an honour and a privilege to be invited to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace by Her Majesty the Queen and to be given the opportunity to be presented to Her Majesty the Queen and members of the Royal Family topped the day of perfectly an occasion I will remember always.

I shall never forget this experience as this will always remain special to me and mum’s life forever. Finally, but definitely not the least I would like to say a huge thank you to Leonard Cheshire for nominating me and making this possible.

My mum and I went back to London Euston and had a bite to eat and then caught the train back to Wolverhampton. We will never forget this wonderful day.

Indian Idol Season 10 (the Indian version of the Pop Idol) format aired in July 2018 and it was the best series ever! The winner Salman Ali was crowned in December later that year and I believe he has an outstanding voice.

I was ecstatic that the finalists were coming to perform live in Birmingham and the concert was titled ‘Indian Idol Reloaded’. The show was taking place at the International Convention Centre on the 13th of April 2019, a not be missed event in my option. This contestants during the competition were extremely talented and it was going to be my first musical concert I was attending. The artists who were performing at the musical extravaganza included Ankush Bharadwaj, Salman Ali, Neelanjana Ray and Nitin Kumar.

It was the day of the show and as you can imagine, I was super excited! I went to the event with my dad by car and it was beautiful summer’s day which made the journey even more pleasant. We arrived at the ICC, Birmingham and it was a fantastic looking building from the inside which was also wheelchair accessible. Brilliant! We were then escorted to the auditorium and to our seats by staff who were all suited and booted which made me feel like a VIP.

The lights went out and the show was about to begin with Ankush Bharadwaj gracing the Birmingham stage. The audience screamed and went crazy and he performed to the song “Aaj Mausam Bada Beimaan Hai” (“Today the weather is very seductive”). He sang the romantic track brilliantly and everyone was singing along and I just knew it was going to be an unforgettable evening of music and entertainment. The second song Ankush sang was “Dard-e-Dil, Dard-e-Jigar Dil Mein Jagaya Aapne” (“You awakened the pain in my heart”). I loved this song as he put his own style to it. Following from this Ankush Bharadwaj sang “Chahoonga Main Tujhe Saanjh Sawere” (“I will love you from morning till evening”). This was a wonderful performance as Ankush sang with great passion and conviction and I was truly blown away. Another amazing performance followed to the song “O Meri Mehbooba” (“Oh my Beloved”) originally sung by Mohammad Rafi. This was yet again a fabulous version of the song and the talented singer was grooving along with the audience which was great to see.

My all-time favourite songs of Ankush’s performance were “Badan Pe Sitaare Lapete Hue” (“With stars wrapped around your body”) and “Yamma, Yamma” from the movie Shaan (Pride).These were both electrifying performances, the atmosphere and musicians were absolutely brilliant! It was an out of this world experience!

Neelanjana Ray was the next finalist to entertain the Birmingham crowd with her sensational voice. Neelanjana made her entrance on to the stage and received a fantastic reception from myself as I am a huge fan and from the crowd. It amazes me that at the tender age of 15 how she manages to reach those high notes so effortlessly and still delivers a fantastic performance. Her opening song was “Dil Cheez Kya Hai Aap Meri Jaan Lijiye” (Forget my heart, take my life instead”). This is one of those all-time classic songs and Neelanjana gave a mind-blowing performance and she was looking cool as always! This was swiftly followed by another romantic song “EK Pyar Ka Nagma Hai” (“It is a song of love”). It was a beautiful performance because it was packed with emotion and I could listen to her all day. Amazing! Neelanjana dedicated the next song for the love and affection she received from the audience of Birmingham. It was “Bahut Pyar Karte Hain Tumko Sanam” (“I love you so much, my love”).Wow, what an outstanding interpretation, I would have given her a standing ovation! If I could stand up.

Neelanjana’s inspiration has always been Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar therefore she performed a tribute in the form of a medley to Asha Ji. The songs included “Duniya Mein, Logo Ko” (“In the world, people”), “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja” (“Lover, you just come now)” and the most popular song “Dum Maro Dum” (“Puff, take a puff!”). It was a world -class performance and she truly got the party started as the atmosphere went to another level, it was unbelievable. I must also commend the band and the backing vocals as they were absolutely superb in supporting Neelanjana. Ankush also dueted with Neelanjana and two of my favourite songs were “Jaane Ja Dhoondta Phir Raha” (“Oh lover, I am seeing you”) and “Suraj Hua Madham” (“The sun has stopped glowing”). It was a rocking and energizing performance and they both quite literally took my breath away!

Salman Ali and Nitin Kumar where the final two stars to wow and perform for the West Midlands audience. The excitement level of the audience skyrocketed and they were filming their entrance as they made their way on to the stage. During this moment they were dancing and jumping to the song “Aaja Tenu Akhiyan Udeek Diyan “(“My eyes are looking for you”) and they sounded amazing! together.

Nitin also performed a solo routine where he sang a medley of songs and his punchlines of jokes in between were hilarious! Mainly based on the fact that his English was not good and I must say his comic timings were brilliant! My favourite songs of Nitin’s performance were “Parda Ho Parda” (“There’s a veil”) and my dad wheeled me to the front of stage. Where everyone was dancing and singing along also trying to get his attention to shake hands with him. My perseverance finally paid off as during a very short pause in the song, Nitin Kumar shook my hand twice! I was overjoyed with happiness and unknown to me at the time the photographers captured the moment which I shall never forget!

We were returning to our seats and the CEO of Angel Events Ltd noticed me and shook both of our hands. I thought this was a great gesture as I have always believed that it is good to meet new people and create new contacts. I had contacted him previously about purchasing accessible tickets and writing a blog post for this event.

I also enjoyed the fantastic medley featuring the songs “Mere Sapno Ki Rani” (“The queen of my dreams”) and “Tere Deewane” (“I have become crazy, mad for you”). He sounded awesome and it was a jaw-dropping performance. The audience were also treated to chart topping Punjabi numbers which included “Morni Banke” (“Walking like a peacock”) and “High Rated Gabru” (“High rated young man”). The atmosphere was extraordinary and not forgetting to mention the Dhol (Drum) player and the band who supported Nitin so brilliantly.

Salman Ali was back on stage to perform for the amazing and very lively audience of Birmingham for one last time. He sang some of my favourite songs whilst playing the piano they included “Tum Hi Ho” (“You are the one”) and “Gulabi Aankhein” (Rosy eyes). I enjoyed the performance as Salman was absolutely amazing on the piano and the contemporary feel he added to the songs. Salman Ali also sang “Mere Rashke Qamar” (“O my envy of the Moon”) and his performance was magnificent and the band were also exceptional!

The excitement continued after the show as I was given the opportunity by Angel Events Ltd to meet and greet the stars. I could not believe my luck that I was just moments away from meeting my idol Neelanjana Ray and the rest of the equally talented stars. The big moment had arrived and it was my turn to meet and greet the stars and have a photograph taken with them.

I was wheeled into position by my dad and placed next to Neelanjana and I was absolutely thrilled to meet her in person. I spoke to her and begun by saying “I am your biggest fan and I have come especially to see you and I have watched all your episodes”. Neelanjana replied and said “Thank you very much”. All the remaining stars then shook my hand and then gathered around me. All of the stars were saying “Look into the Camera” including the photographers and it felt like I was a superstar just like them. One of the greatest moments of my life was then captured. I then said “Good luck to Neelanjana” and she replied “Thank you”.

The External Communications Officer at Leonard Cheshire contacted me last month giving me the opportunity to share my views on making party political conferences more inclusive for disabled people.

The charity wrote an article and I accepted the opportunity to share my views on the subject as I thought why not?

I was very lucky and extremely excited as I went to see a cricket match live at Edgbaston in Birmingham. I watched the first test match on day 1 of the England v India Test Series 2018 on the 1st of August. I had booked the tickets a year in advance prior to the match and I went with my dad as he drove me by car to Edgbaston.

We arrived at the cricket ground and after showing our tickets to the stewards and security checks were completed. We were then escorted to our seats which were located on the top floor of the stand and were accessible by lifts. I was disappointed as I requested seats where the Indian team players come down the stairs from their dressing room down to the pitch. Nevertheless, I was grateful that I was able to get tickets for the match and watch my first test match live at Edgbaston.

England won the toss and chose to bat however, I would have preferred India to have won the toss and chose to bat first. This being said, the match was excellent and all the England batsmen played brilliantly and as far as the Indian bowlers were concerned. There bowling techniques were brilliantly executed and the fielding was very tight and it was challenging for the batsmen to score runs. When a player scored four or six runs and the raw of the England fans was so loud it was amazing and the atmosphere was electric. Therefore, when the cameraman filmed the crowd I waved my hands up in air but he sadly did not direct the camera towards our stand. It would have been the icing on the cake if I was filmed and appeared on television, never mind hopefully next time, fingers crossed. 

England made 286-8 at the close of day 1 and it was an amazing experience and a fantastic day. Although I found it difficult to determine at times what was happening in the match as we were siting relatively far away from the pitch.

After the match had finished we made our way out and I then saw the England team coach parked outside the cricket ground. A short time later I saw the Indian cricketer and captain Virat Kohli run onto the coach and I shouted out his name but he just went inside. I also saw Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian cricketer and captain and my dad managed to take a photograph of him. We also saw the Indian head coach and former cricketer Ravi Shastri and the rest of team players but I could not recognise them as they ran so fast.

I felt extremely lucky that I saw the cricketers but sadly, I did not get an opportunity to take a photograph with any of the players. However, my dad managed to get a signed autograph of the batsman, KL Rahul, which was brilliant and absolutely amazing!

I was excited to be back in London to attend an event at 1 Parliament Street in Westminster on the 17th of July 2018. This opportunity was given to me by Leonard Cheshire and I accepted the offer as it is always good to speak to MPs about issues that affect you.

The event was organised by Leonard Cheshire and the purpose of the session was to highlight the Untapped Talent Campaign to MPs. Focusing in particular about what employers can do to make their workplaces and practices more inclusive. The campaign is calling for better support for disabled people on their journey to, and whilst in employment.

I travelled the day before by train and I was accompanied by dad to London and the journey was pleasant with air conditioning on board. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express London - Vauxhall Nine Elms and on arrival the staff were friendly and welcoming. The hotel was great and two rooms were booked by Leonard Cheshire, one of which being an accessible room. I would like to thank Leonard Cheshire for booking my travel arrangements and accommodation as they always make easy for me to participate in any event or activity.

We checked-in and after having a bite to eat we went to the famous Coca-Cola London Eye attraction. I was very excited that I finally got the opportunity to visit one of London’s most visited attractions. I travelled by bus as I wanted to experience how accessible the buses were in London for people with disabilities. I was extremely impressed as there were two entrances where passengers could get on board the bus. However, the second entrance was designed to allow disabled passengers in wheelchairs on board. The doors closed and then the bus driver pressed a button and the ramp come out down to the pavement and then the doors reopened. I feel these types of busses should be rolled out all across the country as the whole process of getting on board was much quicker. This is because in Wolverhampton, the bus driver is required to get out of the vehicle and manually take out the ramp.

When we arrived at the Coca-Cola London Eye attraction it was very busy with long queues at the entrance. However, we went through the disabled entrance which was not too bad and after the wheel had stopped I entered the capsule using a ramp. I was extremely excited to be on board and the experience did not disappoint as we were treated to breath-taking views of London. This also included magnificent views of the Houses of Parliament and the River Thames. I would definitely recommend this attraction to all my readers as it was truly an unforgettable experience!

Afterwards we went a Portuguese bar and restaurant called Estrela Bar and it was a great place to eat as there was choice of eating outside.  The atmosphere was fantastic and there was a cool breeze whilst we were having our evening meal. I had grilled chicken in a white wine sauce, accompanied by skinny chips, rice and salad with a squeeze of lemon. My meal was very tasty and I had a great time which was a fantastic end to a brilliant evening!

The next day my dad I went to 1 Parliament Street by taxi and attended the drop-in session organised by Leonard Cheshire. The format of the event was that an array of chairs were set out in the room where MP's came along and sat down to have an informal chat with the campaigners.

The MP's included David Linden for Glasgow East (Scottish National Party), Marsha de Cordova for Battersea (Labour Party) and Daniel Zeichner for Cambridge (Labour Party). My local MP Emma Reynolds for Wolverhampton North East (Labour Party) also attended the event and supported the campaign. 

I spoke about what I would like to see from employers and what an inclusive and accessible workplace looks like to me. The points I raised included, for the government to set-up a scheme where the government contributes towards transport costs to and from work and when attending meetings. This is because in my experience, black cab taxis are very expensive even if you only travel a short distance. Secondly, I mentioned that I would like more organisations to offer positions which allow you to work flexible working hours. - This will benefit me greatly as it takes me a while to get ready for work in the morning. The last point I raised is that, I would like more companies to offer work experience for disabled people and provide the relevant support. Depending on performance, companies could then offer employment. This will help disabled people gain experience in the career they would like to work in and hopefully gain a job.

The conversations I had with MP’s were very positive and I am very pleased that my points will be raised in Parliament and action will be taken. It was a fantastic event and to learn that the government are encouraging more employers to make their work places and practices inclusive accessible for disabled people.

I was absolutely thrilled to receive an email from Leonard Cheshire in February 2018 of an offer of a work experience placement. The placement was in the office of Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East Emma Reynolds.

I could not refuse this opportunity and therefore I accepted the offer within minutes of receiving the email. I always wanted to find out what being politician actually involves and how they manage issues in their constituency and on a national scale.

My work experience placement began on Monday 25th June and ended on Friday, 29th of June 2018. The weather was beautiful with scorching conditions each day and I travelled to and from the office by taxi in my electric wheelchair. The staff were welcoming, friendly and very helpful, the premises was also spacious and wheelchair friendly.

During my placement I was given a task to research and input data into a Spreadsheet and I used the Internet to research names of leaders of faith groups and organisations. I found it informative and interesting and at times it was challenging as I could not locate some of the information. However, Emma was still able to send a letter to the organisations about the Windrush generation and how she could help.

I was also given the opportunity to browse a cloud base system which the Labour MPs and staff used to create cases. The MPs had their own account on the system and they had option to respond to cases by e-mail or letter. This software also indicated how many cases were open or closed and in which location in Wolverhampton. Furthermore, Emma is able to see her recent appearances at events and also find out what is happening in the House of Commons. The software was brilliant and user-friendly therefore I particularly liked how the cases were categorised and displayed using a pie chart graph.

I also spoke to many influential people during telephone conversations from Westminster at the Houses of Parliament. This included a conversation with the Policy Assistant Caseworker who deals with the national issues and policies. He was very appreciative for the work I was doing for Emma and he was also very friendly and a knowledgeable person.

I also had an opportunity to join-in a telephone conference call from Houses of Parliament in Westminster. A staff member went through the agenda and also what was going to be happening in the Commons the following week ahead. I was given the opportunity to suggest any issues that could be debated in Parliament and I suggested for more recreational facilities in my area. This was my first time I had participated in a telephone conference call and it was a fantastic opportunity to put forward my views.

It was my final day working in the office and I was due to meet Emma as she was to attend a meeting at a primary school in Wolverhampton with me. I had already arrived from home at the school instead of going to the office beforehand and on arrival I was greeted by the Head teacher. She was very friendly and welcoming and I was escorted to her office where the meeting was due to take place. I had a brief conversation before the meeting about my experience working for Emma Reynolds MP. I went on to mention my association with Leonard Cheshire and about the activities and events I have been involved in till date. A few moments later Emma had arrived and she shook my hand and she was very friendly just, like how I would have imagined her to be. The meeting went very well and it was great because I put forward my views and I could sense they were being well received by everyone. Afterwards we had a brief tour around school and it was great to hear how well the children performing in school. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit at the school and I would like to thank everyone for inviting us there.

I returned to Emma’s office and word processed some notes as she was due to attend another meeting after lunch. I had a photograph taken with Emma before she left and she thanked me for all the work I had done for her in her office. A press release has been completed by Leonard Cheshire about my work experience placement At Emma Reynolds office. Please keep an eye out for the article due to be published in The Express & Star and the Birmingham Mail 

I wrote a blog post for Leonard Cheshire Disability last month about my experiences of looking for work. I am extremely pleased to announce that my blog post has been published on the charities website today.