Last year Dundee woman Amy Tavendale spoke to The Courier about life as a disabled person during the Covid pandemic.
One year on, Amy is sharing her highs and lows of 2022 to mark International Day of Disabled Persons (Dec 3), and to highlight the challenges being faced by disabled people in our local communities.
Amy has an acquired brain injury following a complication from surgery. It mainly affects her speech and balance and, as a result, she is a full-time powerchair user.
She previously experienced a bowel perforation, meaning she now lives with an ostomy.
As a result of multiple surgeries, she also has digestive issues and lives with chronic pain.
Amy says: “This year started off in tragedy, as we lost a close family member suddenly; due to restrictions I wasn’t able to make it to the funeral.
“I have also had a lot of hospital appointments, scans, tests and procedures. I am currently on the waiting list for another surgery.”
Life after Covid and disability during the cost of living crisis
Last year Amy shared the ways in which the Covid pandemic had affected her, particularly the ability to live independently.
But how has she coped as the country has emerged from Covid measures?
She continues: “To be honest, I have such multiple health concerns, Covid was never my only concern.
“I always have to be careful and try to avoid anyone who has a contagious illness.
“It has affected my ability to live independently, especially travel. I used to depend on buses but due to the cancellations, I am put off from using buses.
“Trains also are unreliable and the increase in fares is too much for me to afford.
“Wheelchair taxis are harder to come by and, also, the increase in fares makes them quite unaffordable.
“Whereas before travel was an everyday occurrence, now I’ve had to reduce the times I use public transport drastically.”
Living independently
However, there are some ways in which her independence has improved.
Amy explains: “I have support such as physio and carers. And I’m a good problem solver so I can usually find a solution to any problems I come across.
“I can do standing transfers so I have rails in my wet room and I can perform personal
hygiene tasks independently.
“I live in a bungalow with ramps at the front and back doors; I have a hospital bed to sleep in and my kitchen worktops have been lowered.
“Currently, I’m working with Blackwood on a project on further adaptations that can be made to increase my independence.
“The technology we have now is amazing!”
While steps have been taken to improve Amy’s independence, she’s also affected by and worried about the cost-of-living crisis.
She says: “The increase in cost of living has meant I’ve had to make changes and
sacrifices.
“Like most people, I’m worried about the energy costs, the cold and damp can
have serious health implications for me.
“I have had to cancel a number of subscription services and my friends and I cannot afford to go out as much so we entertain more at home.
“The cost of heating worries me. I have had to drastically reduce the temperature and the times I have it on.
“Some mornings are so cold I can see my breath! I worry about cold and damp, which will affect my health negatively.”
‘There are stereotypes surrounding disabled people’
Disabled people face many barriers in society; however, celebrating International Day of Disabled Persons is one way we can raise awareness and advocate.
Amy says: “Disability and illness affects us all in some way. There are a lot of myths and stereotypes surrounding disabled people.
“We need to speak out more and get the truth out there. Disabled people overcome adversity and face discrimination regularly.
“It’s important we recognise achievements and have an open discussion. We cannot ignore such an important issue.”
Conversation