A PASSIONATE & DRIVEN PARA-EQUESTRIAN & DISABILITY ADVOCATE

I have been horse mad since I was three years old. Born into a non-horsey family, I had regular lessons however I didn't have the opportunity to compete until I was 14 years old, with my first horse and bestfriend, Storm. 

Just as my Saddle Club dreams were all coming true, I fell ill seemingly overnight at the age of 14. 

Many days spent in hospital and tests later, I was diagnosed with a rare incurable neuroinflammatory autoimmune disease (a mouthful I know). This disease is known as the most painful disease in the world, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. 

Despite years of treatment, I have been left partially hemiplegic. 

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Throughout this time, I have continued riding and have grown my team to have three National level competition horses. 

I am a Dressage & Show rider, competing at the highest level of Able-bodied Dressage at EA National level. I have had the pleasure of riding at the National Championships and being consistently named on State teams and squads since 2016. 

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I have spent the years following my diagnosis grieving the life I had and the life I thought I would have. I have fallen into very dark times, where my disability and the reality of my diagnosis has become too much and suicide seemed my best option. 

I have become a passionate disability advocate where I use my lived experience of disability to raise awareness of the issues faced by people living with a disability, in a largely inaccessible society and provide proactive ways to improve or remove these obstacles. 

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My story can be seen as one of sadness and sheer bad luck, but throughout my talk you will come to see how something seemingly so negative can become so positive, how you can survive what you thought you couldn't and to never give up hope. 

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I look forward to sharing my story with you 

Jessie 

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