My personal story
Hi, my name is Harin, and this is my story. I am a full-time Wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, which means I need the use of a profiling bed and a hoist for all transfers. I was born in Thailand at 27 weeks premature and weighed only 1lbs. All the professionals in the maternity hospital told my parents that I would not survive, I wasn’t even put into an incubator, I wasn’t even given a chance. Despite all odds with my fighting predetermination, I have proven everyone wrong by living my life to the fullest. I don’t let my disability stop me from being who I am and who I want to be.
I am very adventurous and love to attend concerts and shows around the UK. From watching Britain’s Got Talent in 2020, I came across a fantastic group called Sign Along with Us, Sign Along With Us Foundation. They are made up of many talented and inspirational individuals who perform songs with sign language, which have powerful messages to the world to encourage others to fight for inclusion and fundraising for fully accessible and adaptive caravans. I have enjoyed almost 100 concerts and shows over the years, and it doesn’t stop there. I intend to continue booking trips and adventures as much as possible. However, trying to find somewhere to stay overnight is extremely difficult for me, not only having to find suitable accommodation for my needs but also the extra price tag added when someone hears the word “Disability” the price always increases.
Since I launched my Fully accessible hotels/ holiday accommodations petition in March 2022, this has opened my eyes in many ways. One way is by reading the feedback that people have left, including families, have left messages of thanks for fighting for inclusion as they also struggle to find suitable accommodation for their loved ones and miss out on enjoying holidays with their families. It has made me realise that so many things in this world are not how it should be. Throughout my journey of being an active campaigner for disabilities and fighting for inclusion, I have received several negative feedbacks stating this campaign wouldn’t be worth fighting for; it would never get through and more. Despite all the negative feedback, this has only inspired me more and more to continue the fight for inclusion and to be the voice of other people with complex needs. As a consequence of this fight, I was nominated for the Sparkle Awards 'most inspiring male' Liverpool award in July 2023 in the most inspiring male category by the Merseyside Youth Association MYA RAISE Team, which I won. Winning the Sparkle Award for being the most inspiring male is a big achievement for me, for which I am so grateful. Some of you reading this story might think I’m just doing all this work for publicity and fame; however, I am doing this to encourage other people who may not feel part of the world or part of anything to speak out and have their voices heard. Therefore, this story encourages and inspires others to be whatever they want to be and do whatever they want to do as long as they put their minds to it and don’t allow other negative feedback to stop them from following their dreams and achieving their goals. My last message to the world and whoever reads this is always to be yourself, stay positive, fight for your dreams, and not let things stop you from whatever you desire to be and achieve your goals and dreams.
Today marks the beginning of your story, and the rest remains unwritten. Together, we will make a change, fight for inclusion, and win!
This story is a personal story written by Harin Ellis.

Comments