Paul's Journey Living with Cerebral Palsy & Vision for Change
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how your business started?
In 2006, I accepted a management position at a struggling business and within 18 months, the team and I had successfully turned the business around, eliminating its financial losses. Despite being assured of job security, I purchased and moved into a new home in May 2008. Just three months later, the company entered administration in August, leaving me without the security and salary I had been promised. While driving back up the M6 that day, I reached out to a few customers, and one of them suggested I start my own courier business, which ultimately led to the establishment of my company. Now, as we celebrate our 17th year, I take pride in leading a team of 12, four of whom have been with me for over a decade. Every cloud has a silver lining...
How does living with cerebral palsy affect your everyday life?
I've had cerebral palsy since birth, diagnosed at two, when doctors told my parents I might never walk. Determined to prove them wrong, I walked for four decades without aids, despite frequent falls and fatigue. I even learned to drive an automatic car. I'm thankful that my condition mainly affects my left leg. However, after turning 40, I began to experience more pain, leading my wife to suggest a walking stick. This allowed me to move faster, but the wrong stick could be risky. Eventually, I found a wheelchair to be a safer option.
Now at 50, I've accepted my situation. I maintain a positive outlook most of the time, and thanks to my wheelchair and crutches, I feel minimal pain. My home is equipped with ramps and a walk-in shower, enhancing my safety and confidence.
How did you feel about walking aids before you tried Cool Crutches?
If my stick came into contact with ice or rain, I could be flat on my face quicker than I could blink, so I avoided going out in rain or going out in the winter. I was also very cautious of freshly mopped floors; those yellow “slippery floor” signs became my kryptonite, so if I was out with my stick, I'd also have to avoid areas like this, which is why I eventually opted for a chair which felt safer, but at the same time so restricting.
So when you turned to using a wheelchair, did this solve all the above problems?
I love my wheelchair, but I cling onto my ability to stand and until recently that has left me in some precarious positions. My home is designed for my needs, featuring smart grab bars and a textured non-slip shower tray, so at home I am sorted! But this all changes when I go on holiday where there are in most cases no grab rails, and what appear to be extra slippery floor surfaces. So, although my holidays have been great, I have always had the fear of falling over and injuring myself in a foreign country.
What has been the result of having a Cool Crutches walking aid in your life?
Cool Crutches are so much better than standard crutches. They look far better aesthetically, but most importantly, they give me more confidence, independence, and freedom than I have had when using crutches historically. I have much better holidays now as I feel so much more confident that I won’t slip in the shower. I have even ditched the wheelchair for short walks, such as walking into restaurants where they have a few steps. This is something I would not have attempted until I got my Black Cool Crutch!
What has helped your mental health whilst living with cerebral palsy? And what advice would you give someone who's living with a life changing diagnosis or injury?
I am quite a positive person and over the years I have tried to look for the “wins” in my condition. My legs are weak, but my arms are really strong, I am resilient due to falling over a lot, strong willed and a great problem solver. Whilst I would prefer not have the limitations of my CP there are some small things that I am grateful for.
My advice would be to look for the positives in the situation (they are there if you look hard enough). Also, look after the things you can control, such as diet, sleep, and mental health inputs.
What's the best advice you've been given?
Henry Ford said “That If you say you can or you cannot, you are probably right”
What is your biggest struggle living with cerebral palsy?
I sometimes feel like a burden to my family and friends, in that we only ever go to places that are accessible for me. As a result, I feel like I hold them back which really hurts.
Do you feel people are aware and understand cerebral palsy and could more be done to increase this?
Approximately 160,000 people have CP in the UK, and I think most people have met someone with CP. I do feel there need to be more resources for people over the age of 18; there seems to be an abundance for children, but much less out there for adults to access, which limits the knowledge and understanding for those living with it and those that don't!
If you could change one thing to improve the lives of disabled people, what would it be?
I would encourage businesses to really give thought to accessibility and not to either ignore it, or just do the minimum to tick a few boxes.
How do businesses like Cool Crutches help the disabled community and could they do more?
I think Cool Crutches already do a great deal, all I hope is that people like Amelia and I can continue to try and raise awareness to give people with disabilities as many opportunities as possible.
I think Cool Crutches could perhaps look at forming strategic peer groups to get together with big businesses such as the Steve Morgan Foundation to see how they could make a difference on an even bigger scale.
Is there anything in the pipeline you're excited about and would like to share?
I hope momentum continues with The Lilac Review. I love to see the government tackling the inequality faced by disabled-led businesses and aiming to level up the entrepreneurial opportunities across the UK. I will continue to do what I can to be in support of this, and I hope others in the disabled community do too.
If you've enjoyed reading about Paul's journey and would like to know more about his courier business, then please check out his website: Proactive Despatch.
And if you are interested in reading more about those living with disability, business, and mental health then we think you will enjoy reading these articles too:
The Remarkable Life of Brian: An Interview with Brian Murray, Scotland's Amputee Football Captain
Hayley Shares Top Tips for Supporting Your Mental Health With MS
Celebrating 17 Years of Business: An Interview with Co Founder Clare
