Beth writes

Tag: disability

  • Beth tells all – five things that shaped my life

    girl in pastel dress with hairbow sits on floor

    Okay, this won’t be telling all but I hope some will find out more about me I think. Here come five things that shaped my life.

    1. As a child I read a lot of books and was always imagining. Books were like a lifeline for me, where I could escape on magical adventures. I was always having ideas for poems, stories, songs and plays in my head. So that is where I got my love of writing from.
    2. When I was 15, I was in intensive care on life support for 2 months. It took some work to get the images and sounds of the machines out of my head. I turned the trauma into an art piece at university – for which I got a B.
    3. I only passed my GCSE’s with 3 c’s – and got E’s for maths and science having to resit. The rest of my grades were between C and E. And I scraped through my university degree with a 2-2. So while the others were celebrating their exam results, it was harder for me. How did this shape me? It reinforced my ideas of what I was good at, and what not so.
    4. Having to face a lot of social rejection and bullying has made me more adamant to fight this. I have been quite vocal for disability and lgbtq inclusion, and challenging hate during my life.
    5. When I was 13 I found a local am dram group and joined for the pantomime. Acting has always been something I absolutely love. What a surprise I got with a birthday in pantomime week though. I got pulled back on for the birthday song.

  • I’m not a victim – a poem

    I wrote this as a way of addressing how disabled people are treated. We are often looked down on, seen as victims or vulnerable, and easy to bully.

    Inspirational life quote created using scrabble pieces
    Photo by Alesia Kozik on Pexels.com

    I’m not a victim, I come back fighting,

    And I can pulverize the persecutors,

    I’ve eaten bullies for breakfast before,

    And if you dare degrade me, I will destroy.

    And I’m not a charity case for carers,

    I’m a human being with heart and hope.

    I’ll burn bridges before you cause harm,

    So don’t patronize me, I’m not pathetic,

    And if you think I’m thick, then fluff off.

  • We hold these truths to be certain

    Daily writing prompt
    List 10 things you know to be absolutely certain.
    View all responses
    Photograph of the author, Beth Birley
    This is me

    There’s a lot of things people are certain about, am I right?

    Sometimes we think history happened one way, then we find other evidence.

    So here are my 10 certainties in life

    1. My first certainty is I don’t know everything, and hardly anybody could do. It makes us curious to find the answers we don’t yet know.
    2. Dinosaurs once walked the earth
    3. The sun rises and sets each day
    4. When you travel outside your own town you will meet others who are different to you
    5. Disabled lives matter- and work is needed to help disabled people
    6. Superman has always been woke and diverse. You just have to look at the older posters to see the evidence.
    7. Everyone deserves equal rights to clean water, safe housing, good healthcare etc.
    8. Change and revolution takes work, and often people won’t like it.
    9. That I had a near death experience at 15 and was in intensive care for 2 months.
    10. Donald Trump’s name is in the Epstein files – no wonder he is trying to hide it.

  • Don’t judge what you can’t understand – or why people do

    Decorative image saying do not judge people
    Photo by Alesia Kozik on Pexels.com

    Today we are going to talk about prejudice. That’s something disabled, and learning disabled people see a lot.

    It’s not just people calling me a name or telling me to get a job.

    Photo by Andrew Neel on Pexels.com


    I am also judged when someone automatically helps me.
    Instead of asking whether I need support, or waiting for me to say- they make an automatic assumption.
    The problem here? It makes me feel less capable to manage without that help.

    Picture of a hand held out to help someone, or ask for help.
    Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

    It’s also judging, when someone is excluded or included in a social activity.

    The worst way of judging for me is when people say am amazing, just for handling what others manage normally. It’s like, others manage that, why shouldn’t I?

    And when (mostly older generation) people stare at me in public, guess what it is? Judging!

    Decorative image - little blocks forming a question mark.
    Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

    What else classes as judging?

    When you criticize how someone behaves, or tell them to go and get changed as they don’t look appropriate.

    It’s also when you assume someone isn’t capable of doing a job, or knowing an answer, cause of a disability.

    So the action to take on today is be careful about judging others please. We all do this, but if we are conscious of it we can change.

  • The Elephant in the room- Disability and mental health

    The Elephant in the room- Disability and mental health

    Photo by Madison Inouye on Pexels.com

    It’s time to talk about another big issue. Don’t worry though, not all the news is bad. Did you know people with disabilities have a higher chance of developing mental health issues?

    decorative image of hand trying to grasp a bright light
    Photo by Luca Nardone on Pexels.com

    This data comes from disability charity, Sense. You can see more about Disability and mental health – Sense

    In 2023, we asked people with complex disabilities about their health and wellbeing, including questions about their mental health. We found that:

    • People with complex disabilities are four times as likely to say their general health is bad or very bad (25%) compared to the general public (5% according to the 2021 general census). 
    • On average, people with complex disabilities have lower happiness levels (6.02) compared to non-disabled people (7.45), according to figures from the Office for National Statistics).
    • Those with complex disabilities have higher average rates of anxiety (5.09) compared to non-disabled people (3.12).

    Additional research also shows that:

    • 30% of people in the UK live with one or more long-term physical health conditions, over 26% of which also have a mental health problem.
    • 70% of disabled people say that social isolation affects their mental health and wellbeing.
    Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

    Personal Talk

    I’ve certainly found disability adding to my struggles in life, or is it down to social barriers?

    Being disabled has left me feeling like a burden on others and unsure of my abilities. I don’t choose to be like this but it is my reality.

    go outside for mental health, the issue for me is having somewhere fun to go. I have found it difficult to make friends or find community locally because am so different to others.

    Yes, there are people who value you and consider themselves friends, but can’t relate to me or my life. There is help though.

    Photo by Madison Inouye on Pexels.com

    Self Care

    There are lots of ways people can care for and support themselves. What works for some may not work for others.

    Many people will say going out and being in nature helps them. The issue for me is having somewhere fun to go. I have found it difficult to make friends or find community locally because am so different to others.

    I use other ways to care for myself. These include watching cartoons, gaming, getting myself a treat, watching a movie and writing/ drawing/ creating.

    Find what works best for you.

    decorative image of rainbow and clouds

    Resources

    • GP/ NHS app – if you are struggling it is best to get in touch. There are waiting lists for support, but each council has some available for free. You could also get social prescribing through them.
    • Wellbeing apps like Headspace and Calm help with practicing mindfulness. There are also phone journals to document thoughts.
    • Samaritans – this charity runs a 24 hour mental health line
    • Action for happiness – this group offers a wide range of online resources, and run courses across the UK.
    • Mind – one of many mental health charities operating in Britain
    • Specialist counselling for disabled people

    The bottom line to act on here is to reach out, and self care is not weak.

  • Disability Pride month

    Why do we have disability pride?
    The answer goes down to finding our identity and feeling good about ourselves. It also serves to promote the need for diversity and encourage others to embrace it.

    Image displaying different people working together
    Photo by Diva Plavalaguna on Pexels.com

    Time for a personal reflection on it.
    Finding yourself is a lot harder when you are someone who doesn’t fit with normal social expectations. I have seen firsthand how it is to feel helpless and struggled to do things that others find easy.
    It took away my sense of self, belief in my skills and ability to be resilient. Being disabled can also leave people feeling burdened, and alone.

    Woman sits at table by herself, staring out the window.
    Photo by Andrew Neel on Pexels.com


    As humans progress, I believe we will one day change society so we can be included better.
    This will lead to more willingness to hire disabled workers, and more role models that show disability in positive light.

    The word future written on blue surface
    Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels.com

    Right now, disabled are often viewed in media with certain stereotypes. These include superheroes and villains, vulnerable people who can’t manage, or miraculous healers. None of these are positive images that show a good picture of disabled lives.

    So, think about the disabled people around you, and who they want to be.

  • I do love to access the seaside – Scarborough

    South Bay sea front view of Scarborough, with sea in front.
    South Bay, Scarborough under cloudy sky

    Hello everyone – I haven’t posted in a few days.

    And where have I been? Up north to Scarborough, Yorkshire.

    The review which follows is my opinion on the access issues there.

    One of the best things is that local people are mostly friendly and willing to help. I also saw regular buses going from the town center, and many buildings had lifts and accessible entries. My hotel, The Royal, had a lift up from the street level to the reception.

    A victorian tram rides up and down St Stephen's Cliff in Scarborough.

    Let’s talk about getting around Scarborough.
    In the picture above there is a little tram that goes up and down the cliff. This would be the best way to get down to the front. The down side to that is it is not always working.
    The hills and cliffs aren’t something they can change much. If this tram was accessible every day it would make life easier. It’s only 1 pound per trip, or 2 pounds for return.
    There are also steps up and down from the cliffs. And a sloped path put in for those who can’t manage them.

    A long staircase leads up to St Mary's Church from close to the sea front. There is a banister going all the way up the middle.

    There are also sloped roads to get up and down, though these can be more of a challenge.

    An open top bus runs along the seafront from 9.30 am till the evening. This can be very helpful as the walk between is 3 miles.

    View of Scarborough Castle on top of hill.

    If you want to go up to the castle then prepare to be climbing up sloped roads quite a lot. It is beautiful at the top but hard to get to.

    My biggest accessibility bug bear though was a lack of public conveniences. I got caught out walking up to the castle and couldn’t find toilets again till back down at the beach. A few WC facilities along paths would make this easier.

    So, in review Scarborough isn’t the best for access, or the worst.

    Promenade of Scarborough sea front

    My advice is to always check where you are traveling can always meet your access needs.

  • Accessible content – getting through barriers

    Photo by Mwabonje Ringa on Pexels.com

    Thanks for staying with me.

    We can’t talk about access, without looking at the things that prevent it, blocks and barriers.

    Ask any disabled person, I expect you will find that they have come against blocks/barriers in their life.

    Some places try to improve this and will consult with learning disabled on how things can be done better. I see a few companies putting in positive employment schemes to help disabled workers join or advance. That’s brilliant help.

    Let’s talk about how we manage through barriers without the help there.

    It’s important that we speak out and explain the issues that we have. After all, if we can’t explain the problem or barrier, how can others help us through it?

    I challenge you to think about the blocks and barriers in front of you. Write them down, list the areas and explain how you would like others to help you through.

  • What is Accessible Content?

    A question mark made of tiny buttons on a yellow background.
    Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

    Let’s start with what access means first.

    Many people in the world can achieve some things they want to, but not all. And sometimes that is down to lack of access.
    Google defines access as “the means or opportunity to enter or approach a place” but that is simplistic. To me, access also refers to permission to use a resource or take in information.

    A stop sign on a highway, referencing blocked access.
    Photo by Mwabonje Ringa on Pexels.com

    In short there are different types of access, and different needs. Sometimes it’s about being getting into a place, as the definition suggests.

    As a person with learning disabilities, and neurodiverse status this is how I see access.
    With access, I can reach the same goals and outcomes, as everyone else.

    Hand reaching to lightbulb, symbolizing access is reachable.
    Photo by Luca Nardone on Pexels.com

    Wouldn’t it be perfect if everyone got the same education, jobs, housing, and community.
    (Spoiler alert -if that sounds like a fantasy it is one but society could change one day. For now, the pursuit of access is a reality.)

    Picture of blue sky with words Future coming through it
    Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels.com

    What happens when you don’t have access? You can’t get to the same places or do the things that others can. This is the reality of life without access. To highlight this point let me tell you my own story of getting work as a disabled person.

    Photograph of the author, Beth Birley

    After I graduated university, it took 6 years to get a job. To get there meant having to be put in a disabled box in the end. As someone who would much rather fit in it felt soul destroying. I had to concede it was the only way.  This disabled box though was a specialist employment agency that got me my first proper job.


    Between university and getting a job I did temp work for a bit through an agency. One of the most devastating experiences was when the agency sent me to do an admin for a company. I thought I was getting everything right but half an hour later I was sent home. Can you imagine what that feels like?

    So now you perhaps get a bigger picture on why access is important. Let’s move on to accessible content.