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How colour can improve a disabled person's life and why choice is essential

13 0
18.06.2026

I used to get up in the morning, look at my wardrobe and decide what colour I was going to wear that day. Well, it was no surprise that most days it was pink.

I still do the same today, but it is not just my clothes, shoes and jewellery I try to match. I have an additional accessory which must blend in with my daily wear - my power-chair.

Now, to those that do not use mobility equipment the thought of having a colour for that aid might seem a bit alien. An aid is an aid right. If it gets you from A to B, less pain, less stress what’s the problem? However, having to use mobility aids is more than just needing an extra arm or leg to lean on. It is something that for many becomes a part of us for our lifetime.

When I swapped my dancing feet of the stage for the wheels of my chair, my first thought was not the colour I’ll be honest.  It never crossed my mind that maybe if I had a chair that represented me, I might have accepted me.

My first chair, a manual, was a black hand-me-down, a bit battered and dented and I would look at the chair and feel depressed. It didn’t occur that it was because there was nothing on the chair that screamed “me”.

My next chair, a power-chair, was silver with paint peeling in places. Not the best-looking thing but I could get around the shops without relying on others and without my joints sublaxing from pushing myself.

However, after getting my head around the idea of having to use a chair in the first place I started to think about how I could make it a part of me and bring out my personality. It gave me an idea.

The next year I was graduating with my law degree, that’s when I decided I didn’t want to go on stage with a battered silver chair, I wanted something that would represent me and my lifestyle. Something........

© Eastern Daily Press