Posts

Overload, Support, and Purpose: My Journey:

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Overload, Support, and Purpose: My Journey : I have an important meeting and an appointment today, so I’ve cancelled all other plans to focus on these. Yesterday, my housing officer came earlier than expected — before my breakthrough worker arrived. Breakthrough is a DCC service that helps me declutter and organise because of my mobility issues. I’m glad I still have this support and that it hasn’t been sabotaged yet, especially given what I’ve seen happen to other services. I rely on it. She may have thought she was helping by offering to remove my stairlift — one of my most needed and relied-upon mobility aids. But this triggered me and made me feel invalidated. I literally used the stairlift the night before. I guess I mask well, but seriously?! The sudden change caught me off guard and inside I was screaming, though outside I just said, “Yeah, it’s fine, come in.” I wasn’t fine. On top of everything else from yesterday, it all pushed me into overload. I broke. I reached out to my F...
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Saltburn: Accessibility Advocacy Update:

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 ðŸ“£ Accessibility Advocacy Update 📣 I’ve contacted both Redcar & Cleveland Council (contactus@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk) and Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council (office@smnmpc.co.uk) regarding the lack of disabled parking bays outside the Coco & Rum Thai restaurant in Saltburn. Let’s see if they can add one or two designated disabled bays to the small car park next to the premises — a simple step that would go a long way in making Saltburn more #Accessible and #Inclusive for disabled residents and visitors. I included photos in the email which show that the layout of the car park could easily accommodate one or two accessible spaces with minimal adjustment. I also want to thank the Coco & Rum team directly. They were kind, helpful, and made an effort to explain who the car park belongs to — which helped me direct my advocacy to the appropriate authorities. I’ve forwarded my council email to them for reference and shared the following message: --- ✉️ Email to C...
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Invisible illnesses: EDS:

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EDS, Hypermobility and hEDS/EDhS affect everyone differently—even when we share the same diagnosis. Many of us experience similar symptoms and familial patterns, but our day-to-day realities can vary hugely. This is just one version of how EDS can show up in someone’s life. For example, I don’t have flat feet—but I’m affected by nearly everything else on this list, and more. I'm proud to share this to raise awareness, because dynamic disabilities and invisible illnesses aren’t something you can see. You can't diagnose us with your eyes. So I ask you—look beyond the photo. Think outside the frame. See the whole picture. Thank you for taking the time to read. If you know someone with an invisible illness, why not share this with them? Let’s remind them: You are loved. You are seen. You are not alone. With love, Sarah Wingfield ❤️ Independent Disability Advocate #DisabilityInclusion #StrongerTogether #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilitySupport #DisabilityRights #ChronicIllnessWarrior ...
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The Aviator:

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Fighting for Community: Why The Aviator Matters More Than Ever Something powerful happens when people come together — when a space opens its doors to everyone, no matter their background, ability, or walk of life. That’s what The Aviator Sports & Live Lounge has done for our town. And now, it’s under threat. For years, The Aviator has been more than just a venue. It’s been a beating heart in Newton Aycliffe. A place for celebration, connection, live music, family events, sports, comfort food, and spontaneous laughter with strangers who become friends. It’s one of the rare spaces that makes you feel like you belong — and in a world that can feel so divided and isolating, that’s priceless. As a disabled woman, I’ve often found public spaces either inaccessible or unwelcoming. But not The Aviator. It’s one of the few places where I’ve never had to fight to be included. The staff have always been kind, attentive, and respectful. I can just be. That shouldn’t be rare — but sadly, it is....
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Finding Calm Through Pages:

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Finding Calm Through Pages: My New Tool for Healing and Hope: By Sarah Wingfield I recently discovered that Mind Charity has teamed up with Paperchase, and some of their beautiful and thoughtfully designed stationery is now available in selected Tesco stores. It might just be a notebook to some, but for me, it’s become something much more. I'm currently using one of these books to help me process both the good and bad days — to gently unpick the threads of harm, to understand the weight I carry, and to find my way back to myself after pain. Writing has always been one of my ways to cope, reflect, and recover, especially as someone who is disabled and neurodivergent. But this notebook has added a little spark — a reminder that support and beauty can coexist. That healing doesn’t always have to be loud. Sometimes, it’s found quietly in ink, intention, and a blank page. I'm also using it to set new goals for advocacy, to reignite my drive for positive change, and to hold space for...
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Struggling with hometown bullying:

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  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18jhfpj2f2/ If I had known that simply asking for accountability and an apology would lead to being ostracised in my hometown — to sabotage, abuse, organisations lying to the police, a false Community Protection Notice, and the loss of my voice as a disabled advocate — I might never have spoken up. But I did, because I believed in truth and justice. Now, Ayclive have joined in by blocking me from their page, after mistreating me and failing to make reasonable adjustments for my disabilities. It really makes you feel the “love” from your hometown, doesn’t it? The support group that coerced members into giving false statements against me is still operating. The man in the photo — who refused me a lift, prioritised PR over disability rights, and also gave false information to the police — is now a councillor. Durham County Council removed employment support from DurhamEnable, and silenced my advocacy because I’m legally prescribed medical cannabis. T...
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Public Statement:

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Public Statement: Speaking Up Shouldn’t Mean Being Silenced I’ve taken some time to reflect before saying anything publicly. But recent events have left me confused, disheartened, and needing to share what’s happened—not for attention or conflict, but because I believe in honesty, fairness, and the importance of being heard. As a disabled advocate and resident of County Durham, I recently raised a formal complaint about the conduct of a sitting councillor. This wasn’t something I did lightly. The behaviour I flagged involved public misinformation, a misuse of influence, and actions that had already harmed me and others in the community—especially those of us who are vulnerable or marginalised. I submitted my complaint with context, evidence, and a respectful request for anonymity due to past targeting. Despite this, I was told the complaint is unlikely to proceed, that my name cannot be protected, and that I may wish to withdraw it. What I’m struggling to understand is this: How is it ...
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