About Me

Donna lives in the UK and was born in the 1980’s with a very rare restricted growth condition called Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita (SED) which affects 1 in 100,000 people.  Donna is the only person in her immediate and wider family that has SED.  The condition causes daily pain, has meant several surgeries over the years, hearing impairment and reduced mobility.  Donna stands at just under 3 foot 7.  Despite having this condition Donna has not let it stop her and has achieved every step of the way.  This has been down to her sheer determination but also the encouragement and support of her parents, sister and faith in God.

From an early age Donna was treated just like her older non-disabled sister and was expected to do the same chores and participate in the family as an equal.  Some exceptions were made and there were times when an alternative way of doing something had to be found.  It was the support and encouragement from her family that has allowed Donna to live the life she does now.  Donna is a full contributing member of society having been through the education system obtaining a degree, getting a job, learning to drive and discovering the wonderment of travel.

Donna works for an organisation supporting disabled people giving advice and guidance on all aspects of independent living.  Donna is also an advocate ensuring that the disabled person’s voice is heard.  Donna recently qualified as a counsellor and is looking forward to counselling disabled people in the very near future.

Donna believes that everyone has potential and it is a matter of finding what that potential is and tapping in to it.  Donna knows that life with a disability is not easy, in fact it can be hard at times, however it does not mean that the disabled person can not achieve.  The achievement may look different to a non-disabled person, it may be reached in a different way but with the right mindset, with the right encouragement and support it can be done.