Department For Transport yet again fail to answer my concerns regarding assisted travel provision on the rail network across England

I wrote to the Minister for Rail and HS2 on the 26th of February this year regarding my concerns about the assisted travel provision that is offered to the disabled community by rail operators across the nation. In my letter to the Minister , who at the time of writing was Huw Merriman MP I

The railway station’s that serve West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City set to benefit from accessibility signage.

It has been decided by West Midlands Trains that The Hawthorns and Coventry Arena is set to benefit from accessibility signage following it’s success at the stations in Witton and Aston, near to the home of Aston Villa. The signage at Witton was installed after months of consultation on the 31st of January this year

Train Station near to college for those with disabilities among stations in the Midlands to get new accessibility signage

A number of stations are to have the accessibility signage that been so successful at Aston and Witton Lane stations installed by West Midlands Trains in the future. WMT (West Midlands Trains) have chosen the following stations to have the signage at after completing some research looking at how many assists go though every single

Today I voted in the General Election to choose who I want to represent me in parliament.

At 7am on Thursday, July 4th 2024 the polls will open for the 2024 General Election, this year I decided to apply for a postal vote because it makes my voting experience better as someone living with a disability. I received my ballot paper this afternoon (Thursday, June 20th 2024) so that I had time

Rail accessibility project gets mentioned on BBC Local Radio

I spoke to Tammy Gooding on BBC Hereford & Worcester this morning about what West Midlands Trains have done across the region at some of there unstaffed stations to improve assisted travel for those with mobility issues and other disabilities. Tammy started the conversation off by asking me what is it like for disabled people

Curbs on Barrie Road and Westfaling Street in Hereford finally dropped after years of waiting.

Work to drop 8 curbs and resurface a number of existing dropped curbs across Barrie Road and Westfaling Street in Hereford commenced on Tuesday June 4th, and was completed on the morning of, Friday June the 28th 2024. Signage warning motorists of long delay’s and work being carried out could be seen along Barrie Road

Curbs on one of Hereford’s busiest roads not dropped despite promises that they would be.

I am angry that curbs on a road that is consistently littered with parked vehicles in Hereford have not been dropped by Herefordshire Council despite promises that they would be. I received an email from the Head of Design and Project Management at Herefordshire Council’s contractor who deal with the road & pavement network across

There have been times in my life where I have not been heard and that made me feel horrible because I wanted to be listened to.

I have spent much of the last 471 days wondering how much more I have to do to make my voice and that of others heard at the very highest level, if the team at West Midlands Trains can listen why can’t His Majesty’s government follow suit. Once I completed my goal of ensuring that

England and Scotland to take the worlds best T20 Sides at the Cricket World Cup in the West Indies and USA

England and Scotland’s T20 Cricket teams travelled over to the West Indies this week to take on some of the world’s best in the game. The 2 sides start there World Cup against each other at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on Tuesday (June, 4th 2024) at 15:30. The Scot’s will return to the

I won’t be wheeling into Villa Park until Aston Villa reverse their decision with regards to personal assistants.

In the last hour Ive seen on social media that Aston Villa are charging those who claim medium PIP (Personal Independence Payment) to bring a personal assistant with them to matches. I have supported Villa for the last 14 years since the days of Martin O’neill and Gabby Agbonlahor, but now I won’t be stepping

This is Discrimination Coventry City and it’s disgusting, please change your stance on this.

Coventry City Football Club (CCFC) recently announced that they will charge their disabled supporters to bring a PA (Personal Assistant) with them to matches at the CBS Arena from next season. I wrote to CCFC during the 2023/24 season expressing an interest in attending matches at the arena as a keen follower of the club.

I am not giving you a reference, you left me 6 years ago and moved 225 miles.

A few months ago I was contacted by a ex of mine out of the blue who let me know that I was going to be one of her referees as part of her foster carer application. She gave no choice about wanting to do this I was just told that I was acting as

Rail accessibility needs to be a key focus in the next 6 weeks as parties campaign ahead of the general election

Rishi Sunak has in the last hour announced that there will be a general election on Thursday July 4th 2024. As a wheelchair user and disability campaigner who has campaigned for the last year to improve the accessibility of our rail network for those with disabilities I believe that one of the key campaign priorities

The train stations in Witton and Aston are fully accessible ready to welcome the supporters of Europe’s elite next season

Aston Villa secured 4th placed in the premier league on Tuesday evening (14th of May, 2024) and the final champions league spot after Tottenham Hotspur lost 2-0 at home to Manchester City that saw them remain in 5th place. I have been working with Aston Villa and West Midlands Trains in recent months to ensure

I was affected by fans letting off flares as the players arrived at Villa Park for the second time in 2 weeks last night.

I attended Aston Villa’s final home game of the 2023/24 season versus Liverpool last night which saw villa claim a 3 all draw after being 3 – 1 down with over half an hour to go of the match. In recent months the players have been greeted by the fans as they have entered the

Today I attended a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace.

I travelled down to the main residence of the monarch, King Charles III this afternoon and attended a garden party after being nominated to do so by the Department for Transport My readers and followers will know that I travelled to the headquarters of the Department for Transport twice last year to meet with government

The disruption causes untold upset for those with disabilities who struggle with there emotions

It was announced by ASLEF, the train drivers union that they will hold further strikes across England’s rail network on the 7th, 8th and 9th of May. For people with disabilities who struggle with there emotions because of the conditions that they have it can cause untold upset and distress, that isn’t nice for anyone,

I am meant to be attending a f**cking Royal Garden Party, now that will be difficult thanks to train strikes.

In the last hour or so it has been announced by the ASLEF train drivers union that 16 rail companies will go on strike between the 7th & 9th May. I am supposed to be attending a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday the 8th of May in recognition of my work to

Accessibility signage locations chosen at Aston station in Birmingham, just hours before Aston Villa take on Lille in the Europa Conference League quarter finals.

In the hours before kick off of this evening’s europa conference league clash between Aston Villa and French side Lille I visited Aston station with officials from West Midlands Trains to decide where the new accessibility signage would be positioned on the platforms. It was decided after a number of minutes of conversation that the

Aston station in Birmingham to get accessibility signage following success at neighbouring Witton

The success of the accessibility signage at Witton Lane station in Birmingham has led to discussions by West Midlands Trains about when the signage will be installed at Aston station. The accessibility signage was installed by the rail operator at Witton on Wednesday the 31st of January and has improved the service offered to local

I wouldn’t change the way that I am for anyone because I love living with Cerebral Palsy

I have absolutely loved shining a light on what it is like living with Cerebral Palsy over the last few weeks because it is nothing to be ashamed of. I genuinely don’t give a flying s**t (sorry granny I know you don’t like it when we swear) what people think or have to say about

Thousands flock to Gloucestershire for the 100th edition of the Cheltenham Gold Cup

Thousands of racegoers flocked to Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire for the 100th edition of the Gold Cup this afternoon. The first edition of this prestigious race was ran in March 1924 and was won by a horse called Red Splash who was ridden by jockey Dick Rees. Rachael Blackmore who won the 98th edition of

It is great to see premier league footballers James Maddison and Jack Grealish shout about Cerebral Palsy in recent years

James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur and Jack Grealish of Manchester City have highlighted Cerebral Palsy by talking about it in the media in recent years. Jack (Grealish) revealed whilst on duty with England at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar that his sister is living with condition. James (Maddison) was in the media a

The 28th anniversary of my first brain surgery at the children’s hospital in Birmingham

The 18th of October this year will mark the 28th anniversary of my very first brain surgery at the children’s hospital in Birmingham. The majority of my readers and followers will know that I was born 15 weeks early at 25 weeks gestation which resulted in me being diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Hydrocephulas at

I returned to the platforms at Witton Lane station in Birmingham this afternoon for one final meeting with West Midlands Trains

I returned to Witton Lane station in Birmingham for the first time since I was there for Aston Villa’s clash with Manchester United at the beginning of last month this afternoon. The purpose for this visit was to meet with the organisation’s communication’s team ahead of officially promoting the new accessibility signage that was installed

It is that time of year again when I get to shout about living with Cerebral Palsy.

It is Friday the 1st of March, 2024 and for me that only means one thing it is time to celebrate Cerebral Palsy for the next 31 days. As many of you, my readers and followers will know I was born at 25 weeks (15 weeks early) weighing just half a bag of sugar. This

The new accessibility signage at Witton Lane station should bring fans closer together during the Unite for Access campaign

This Saturday will mark the start of the 2024 edition of Level Playing Field’s, Unite for Access campaign which will focus on raising awareness and driving equality for a more inclusive match-day experience for disabled sports fans across the nation. When I started thinking about what does a more inclusive match-day experience for disabled sports

Thank You Aston Villa for supporting me as I tried to make a difference to a small part of the match-day experience for a forgotten element of our fanbase.

I have spent the last year or so campaigning to improve assisted travel for the disabled supporters who use the rail network when attending matches or events at Villa Park in Birmingham. I cannot thank Aston Villa enough for believing in what I was trying to achieve on behalf of an forgotten element of our

It’s disgusting that 80% of our community say that they have been forced to change there plans because of poor access to venues and public transport

As a member of the disabled community I find it completely disgusting yet unsurprising that 80% of our community have felt forced into changing there plans with friends and family because of poor access to venues and public transport. The disabled access charity Euan’s guide who conducted the survey last year have completed access reviews

The service that I received at Witton Lane station in Birmingham following Aston Villa vs Manchester United was incredible.

I returned to Villa Park using the rail network for the first time today following my meetings with officials from West Midlands Trains in November and December last year. I’ve been supporting the organisations Accessibility Strategy Manager by providing my views on where signage for the platforms at Witton Lane station in Birmingham, should be

The funds from the 40,000 fines issued by West Midlands Trains for fare evasion should be spent on Improving the accessibility of their network.

The rail operator, West Midlands Trains issued a total of 40,000 fines in 2023 to those who hadn’t paid for a train ticket when using the network to get around the region and beyond. Those who fare evade are slapped with a fine of £100 by the companies revenue protection officers and that would see

Today is the day that I could cry because the accessibility signage is finally in place at Witton Lane station in Birmingham

The accessibility signage was finally installed at Witton Lane station in Birmingham last Wednesday (31st of January) after what feels like months of campaigning on behalf of Aston Villa’s disabled supporters who travel to and from matches using the rail network. It will get it’s first test on Wednesday evening (7th of February) when Villa

It’s taking far too long, something needs to happen now because our roads are an accident waiting to happen for those with mobility issues

I believe that the roads in the West Midlands are an accident waiting to happen for those with mobility issue because we are forced to use the road as our pavement due to the sheer amount of vehicles parked on the pavement. I told ITV News Central in January 2022 that Herefordshire’s road are an

Are wheelchair users safe when sitting close to the pitch at football matches?

This afternoon has seen major disorder during the FA Cup clash between West Bromwich Albion. and Wolverhampton Wanders at the Hawthorns in Birmingham. The match was halted by referee Thomas Bramall in the 82 second minute due to disorder in the stands. The players from both sides were ushered off the pitch by the match

I hope that my successful campaign for equal access to the rail network on match-days will unite Aston Villa’s fan base.

It is that time of year again when sports fans from across the nation come together and celebrate all things access for Level Playing Fields, Unite for Access campaign which launches on Saturday 16th of February. In February 2023 I started a campaign to get equal access to the rail network for those Aston Villa

What the F***k is wrong with you, think before you park it is simple.

I am consistently trying to find a way to get around vehicles that have parked on pavements across the county. I was out and about in Hereford this morning (Wednesday 24th of January) when I came across some shocking pavement parking that I was unable to negative around in my wheelchair. I was left with

The hidden impact of the 2024 storms on the disabled community

The month of January has already seen the United Kingdom battered with storm’s Henk and Isha and we are only twenty-two days in. There have been weather warnings issued for Rain, Snow and Ice for large parts of the country so far this year and I fear that it is only going to get worse

Herefordshire Council don’t care that I’m scared of sliding into on coming traffic because of untreated surfaces.

The highway’s team at Herefordshire Council announced this afternoon that they will be gritting all Cycleways in Hereford City Centre, priority Footways in Hereford and the market towns from 6pm this evening. They will then start to grit all car parks from 3am tomorrow morning (Thursday the 18th of January, 2024). I don’t believe that

I was abandoned by a member of staff who I asked for help at a London tube station when it was dark during rush hour.

I am still struggling to understand why I was abandoned by a member of staff at a London tube station during Friday rush hour. I travelled to the MRQ Masters snooker at Alexandra Palace last Friday (12th of January) using the capital’s public transport network. I arrived back Finsbury Park station at around 5pm on

This week I travelled to Alexandra Palace in London for the quarterfinals of the MrQ Masters Snooker

This week has seen some of the worlds best snooker players head to Alexandra Palace in London for the MrQ Masters The likes of Shaun Murphy, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Mark Selby & World Champion, Luca Brecel have graced the table at the palace over the last few days. There have been some shocks so

I live on a private drive that doesn’t get gritted so fear being trapped in doors for the rest of the week.

I fear being trapped indoors this week as snow is set to hit the midlands in the coming hours. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice in the region which is set to run from now 07:40 (16th of January, 2024) until lunchtime today (16th of January, 2024). The

I spent 2023 campaigning and visiting Parliament.

I wrote to the Minister for Roads and Local Transport Richard Holden MP about my successful pavement campaign and the need more dropped kerbs on England’s roads on Thursday the 27th of October, 2022. I shared with the minister how it had taken me a number of years and the help of the media for

Accessibility signage locations found at Witton Lane Station in Birmingham

I travelled to Witton Lane station in Birmingham this morning (Tuesday 19th of December, 2023) to help officials from WMT (West Midlands Trains) determine where to locate accessibility signage on the platforms. This morning’s meeting involved WMT’s Accessibility Strategy Manager, the Station Manager for Witton Lane & the organisations Property Manager, I was invited to

This afternoon I have updated the Minister for Rail and HS2 on the outcome of my rail accessibility Campaign.

I have this afternoon updated the Minister for Rail and HS2 on the outcome of my rail accessibility campaign on behalf of the disabled community who live in the West Midlands. I informed the Minister that I was finally contacted by the team at West Midlands Trains on the 10th of November to arrange the

Shocked, Angry and Disappointed are just three of the words that describe the way that I feel now that their is no Minister for Disabled People

I have been left feeling a sense of shock, anger and disappointment since learning that the government have scrapped the full time role of Minister for Disabled People this morning. I want to use this blog to explain why I feel Shocked, Angry and Disappointed by Rishi Sunak’s decision to scrap this vital role from

I am getting a say in how to improve the accessibility of Witton Lane Station in Birmingham

I will travel back to Witton Lane station in Birmingham next Tuesday (19th of December, 2023) to advise official’s from WMT (West Midlands Trains) where best to place signage on the platforms that will indicate where those requiring assisted travel are to wait for help in boarding trains. As you may remember I met with

Today I travelled to Sheffield and visited the World Snooker Championships for the second time in 2 years.

I travelled to Sheffield this morning and visited the World Snooker Championships at the Crucible Theatre. The tournament started on Saturday the 20th of April and is due to finish on Sunday May the 6th when the 2024 world champion will be crowned. The draw for the first round took place live on BBC Radio

Pakistan took on England in the T20 Cricket World Cup final

On Sunday the 13th of November 2022 Pakistan took on England in the 2022 T20 cricket World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. England won the toss at the MCG and our captain Jos Butler chose to field first as this would give us a better chance winning because we would know

I am looking forward to enjoying being back at Villa Park following my successful campaign

I am looking forward to enjoying being back at Villa Park after my successful meeting with West Midlands Trains (WMT) recently regarding equal access to the rail network for those with disabilities on matchdays. They were asked by officials from the Department for Transport (DFT) on the 21st of July to meet with me and

Cerebral Palsy hasn’t stopped me from having a voice in the lead up to International Day of Persons with Disabilities

I absolutely love the month of December because it gives the disabled community an opportunity to celebrate who we are on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is today – Sunday the 3rd of December. I recently spent 110 days fighting for West Midlands Trains to meet with me in order to discuss some

We aren’t on a level playing field with our able-bodied counterparts when using the rail network to attend Aston Villa’s matches at Villa Park.

This morning (Tuesday the 28th of November, 2023) I met with the Passenger Experience Director at West Midlands Trains, Jonny Wiseman and other officials from the company share my experiences of travelling to and from Witton Lane station on match-days. I have spend most of this year attempting to highlight the hell that I and

Should the government apologise for there comments relating to disabled people working from home?

I am disappointed and shocked by the comments that government minister, Laura Trott made in the media today about disabled people with mobility & mental health issues working from home. Ms Trott said that our community must work from home in order to do our duty. I absolutely loved completing my apprenticeship in Business Administration

India versus England in the second semi final of the T20 cricket World Cup.

On Thursday the 10th of November 2022 India took on England in the second of two semi finals at the T20 cricket World Cup in Australia. England won the toss and chose to field first meaning that they would have chase the innings score that India posted. India started their innings well by posting a

Being born at 15 weeks hasn’t stopped me from feeling empowered to make change this Disability History Month

This week saw the start of Disability History Month which also coincides with World Prematurity Day on Friday the 17th of November. I have spent much of the last 12 months attempting to make change for the next generation of disabled children and young people. I recently embarked on my latest campaign which is designed

New Zealand vs Pakistan in the first semi final of the T20 cricket World Cup

On Wednesday the 9th of November 2022 New Zealand took on Pakistan in the first of two semi finals at the T20 cricket World Cup in Australia. This semi final took place in Sydney at the Sydney cricket ground. New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat and that meant Pakistan would have chase

Football pays its respects to our fallen man and woman.

Every November football teams up and down the country pay their respects to our fallen soldiers. The act of remembrance normally takes place at the clubs closest home game to armistice day on the 11th of November. In 2022 I attended Manchester United versus Aston Villa in the third round of the carabao cup. This

Why the hell have you ignored me for the last 105 days?

West Midlands Train’s were asked to meet with me by Huw Merriman MP the government minister who is in charge of the railway and HS2 on Friday the 21st of July 2023, which was 105 days ago. I have been forced to once again enlist the help of the media so that my voice is

Why do you abuse me?

The question that I often asked myself is why do people think that it’s acceptable to abuse me just because I’m in a wheelchair. Time and time again in 2022 I have been on the receiving end of some shocking discrimination. I personally believe that this has become more of an issue in the last

The impact of Bonfire night on those with disabilities

In just a few weeks time its going to be bonfire night and for many with disabilities (including myself) that brings fear and anxiety. I am dreading bonfire night this year because I feel like I’m coming under attack when in bed because the fireworks are so loud. I also hate loud noises and that

Wheeling on to the famous cobbles of Coronation Street

I wheeled onto the famous cobbles of Coronation Street in Manchester yeasterday afternoon (Sunday the 1st of October, 2023). I have watched Coronation Street for as long as I can remember so this was a dream come true for me. It was an honour to follow in the footsteps of Herefordshire’s very own Melissa Johns