Article: Woman with ME models and dances with her wheelchair in George at Asda ad to show ambulatory wheelchair users exist -Feb 2020

[Sly Saint]

Kate Stanforth lives with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) – a condition that is also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

Her symptoms started when she was 14, as one morning she woke up barely able to move.

Now 25, Kate, from Northumberland, uses a wheelchair most of the time to get around.

She describes herself as an ambulatory wheelchair user, which means that she is able to take some steps but needs her wheelchair to help ease fatigue and pain.

Often people, like Kate, who are able to get out of their wheelchairs are discriminated against because people accuse them of not needing their chair or faking being ill.

So when she was asked to model in the latest George at Asda ad for their new denim range, she felt it was important to be featured both in and out of her wheelchair.

Kate has danced since she was a child and is now teaches ballet from her wheelchair, and she was asked to show her skills in the ad.

Kate tells Metro.co.uk: ‘Having disabled role models and people on screen is one way that we can start both talking, and understanding, more about disabilities.

‘Now we are starting to break these stigma’s with disabled models, it was definitely time to show an ambulatory wheelchair user.

‘There are a huge group of ambulatory wheelchair users out there, me included, who get discriminated against every day.

‘From getting out the car to transfer to a wheelchair and being told we don’t need that blue badge space, to hearing people snigger if we stand up out of our wheelchair to reach an item on our shelf, it’s time to stop the hate and increase the understanding.

full article here
https://metro.co.uk/2020/02/20/woma...w-ambulatory-wheelchair-users-exist-12262372/

 

[ahimsa]

Thanks for the link, @Sly Saint

I saw something about this on twitter not long ago so it's nice to read more about the photo shoot.

It's so important to spread the word that ambulatory wheelchair users exist

I always need a wheelchair when going through airports. On my last trip I wore a shirt (see photo below) which seemed to help -- designed by twitter user @annieelainey

The person pushing my wheelchair even asked me whether it was about invisible illnesses. I'm pleased that more people are starting to be aware of this issue.

 

[Sly Saint]

short video on FB
Meet Kate.........