Dr Lucy Reynolds
For academic, advocate and activist Dr Lucy Reynolds, disability isn't the problem - assumptions are. Lucy is on a mission to open minds and conversations about what disability means, and crucially, how it is just another part of the diverse human experience.
Interview by Jane Imrie
Photographs by Christopher Owens
IT’S OKAY TO
BE DISABLED
Dr Lucy Reynolds is an undeniably impressive woman with many facets to her personality.
She’s an acclaimed academic researcher, blogger, writer, public speaker, chair of the board of directors for a prominent regional charity, and the founder of a small business that is driving social change.
She is the proud owner of gorgeous poodle Peggy, a fellow travel enthusiast like myself (her favourite destinations include the USA, Australia and New Zealand), and even dabbles in improv in her spare time.
She is in possession of the most vivacious head of red curls - as a poker-straight-haired brunette, I am jealous.
She also has cerebral palsy.
“I think people would rather avoid the conversation than ask me to repeat myself, which is silly really, because if I didn't understand what you said, I would ask you to repeat yourself.”
When I went to meet Lucy at the lovely Jesmond Dene on a bright spring day, I’m embarrassed to say my first thought was “Will she manage the paths alright in her wheelchair?”
Turns out that yes, she would - with ease - and actually, when I watched her being photographed, I was much more interested in how the green of her top matched her eyes and the dense foliage of the park, and how envious I am of those vibrant tresses, than anything else.
Lucy is acutely aware that it is her disability, not the other diverse and fascinating parts of her, that people see first when they look at her.
“It's what you see when you see me,” she says matter-of-factly, “My cerebral palsy is very visible, and that's one of the first things people notice about me.”
Even when she is seen for more than her disability, communication and, crucially, being heard is also a challenge for Lucy.
“Instead of asking me to repeat myself, people will shy away and they might avoid further conversation,” she explains.
“Actually, all they need to say is ‘Sorry, what did you say?’ because I honestly don't mind - it’s less offensive than just walking away.
“I think people would rather avoid the conversation than ask me to repeat myself, which is silly really, because if I didn't understand what you said, I would ask you to repeat yourself.”
As a business owner, this is particularly frustrating for Lucy as she navigates professional settings: “Networking events are a particularly hard challenge for me, because it's really hard to get yourself taken seriously.”
As someone with no visible disabilities, I can’t imagine what it must be like to only ever be seen through such a narrow and one-dimensional lens.
Luckily for Lucy, from an early age she was given a level of familial support that imbued her with a strong sense of self, and likely helped her to break out from the limitations of others’ perceptions - whether she was aware of it or not.
“I had a privileged background with very supportive parents. I grew up with my sister - I'm the youngest. I was always encouraged to do what I felt I could do,” she explains.
“I went into mainstream school at the age of 10, which in those days (the 1990s) was quite a big thing - I think I was the only disabled child in the school.”
“I went on to university, I did my undergraduate, then my Masters, and then my PhD,” she adds casually, as if achieving a doctorate is a piece of cake - another sign of her unflappable self-confidence.
For her doctoral thesis, Lucy focused on the representation of disability in the British press, and her interest in understanding and changing perceptions of disabled people is the driving force behind her work.
As the first COVID-19 lockdown closed off public speaking opportunities, Lucy took her passion for advocacy online through blogging, at a time when disabled people needed to be heard more than ever.
“I thought that [the blog] would give people more empathy and more understanding towards disabled people, because we are marginalised in society,” she explains. “I blogged every week during that first lockdown, and it was very well received.”
From there, Lucy’s Community Interest Company (CIC) - We Are All Disabled - was born.
We Are All Disabled aims to inspire people to think differently about disability through challenging perceptions, attitudes and behaviours, using safe and supportive methods and environments.
“We wanted to do something more. Our work is about disrupting the narrative around disability in order to challenge and change perceptions, attitudes and behaviours,” Lucy explains.
“We don't focus on environmental barriers like the Social Model of Disability. We focus on perceptions, and people who are looking within themselves to challenge their behaviours towards disability.”
We Are All Disabled does this through a series of programmes, including delivery of their ‘Disruptor Workshops’, which draw on evidence-based research as well as lived experience to encourage people to think differently about disability.
“[We’re interested in] open conversation, open minds, open mindsets, and changing the narrative,” says Lucy.
Using the affirmative model of disability, which views disability as a normal part of the diverse human experience, We Are All Disabled is on a mission to open minds, encouraging people to look inward rather than outward.
Lucy is a firm advocate of this model. “I always say cerebral palsy is just one of the many characteristics that makes me a unique individual,” she explains.
“That's why the affirmative approach is so important, because it embraces the positive identity of disability. It's okay to be disabled.”
“I went into mainstream school at the age of 10, which in those days (the 1990s) was quite a big thing - I think I was the only disabled child in the school.”
At a time when diversity is being used as a political weapon, there couldn’t be a better time for an organisation like Lucy’s to emphasise the value that being unique brings to individuals, communities and society as a whole.
“There have been massive setbacks in the DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) space - it's particularly concerning,” she says.
“I've been trying to pause and reflect on it, because I see that it's important, now more than ever, to do the work that I'm doing to disrupt the narrative and to get people thinking differently about this.”
One way that Lucy aims to tackle this growing issue is by changing attitudes where it matters - among those with influence.
“We're developing and redefining our strategy. Our Disruptor programme is going to be more aimed at senior leadership teams, because they are the ones that can make change.”
“We wanted to do something more. Our work is about disrupting the narrative around disability in order to challenge and change perceptions, attitudes and behaviours.”
“There have been massive setbacks in the DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) space - it's particularly concerning.”
One thing that has struck me throughout our interview is that Lucy possesses a quality that is often in short supply: self-awareness.
It could be tempting to say I find Lucy an inspiration, however I’m all too aware of the cliche that she - and many disabled people - are subject to. As it happens, this is one area in which Lucy is examining her own internal biases with an honesty that is truly refreshing.
“People say to me: ‘you’re so inspiring’ and I can feel uncomfortable. Is it because I’m disabled, or is it because of my business? But reflecting on that, maybe I do have to embrace it.”
I’m convinced that it is this ability to tune into and examine her own thoughts and feelings that makes We Are All Disabled the ideal safe space to drive real shifts in the perceptions of disabled people.
For Lucy, the affirmative model gives us the ideal framework to best approach disability, whether we realise we’re affected by it or not: “It's part of the human experience - everybody is going to experience disability in their life, either directly or indirectly.”
Lucy’s willingness to share her expertise and experiences is a gift to anyone who does take the time to speak with her.
For those who do approach her, she has one simple parting message: “It seems complex, but it's simple: just ask. If you don't know what I'm saying, just ask.”
