PGP / SPD My story:

High Force Waterfall — 11th July 2026, 14:20hrs. I am now releasing the footage from my visit to High Force Waterfall on 11th July 2026. The private video link sent directly to High Force has already been viewed 12 times, so they have had ample opportunity to see and consider the footage for themselves. I raised my concerns because what happened affected me in real life as a disabled visitor. I expected those concerns to be taken seriously, investigated fairly and handled with compassion. Instead, I was left feeling as though my account was being questioned and my lived experience dismissed. Statements were apparently relied upon to suggest that my description of events was inaccurate, yet when I asked to see appropriately redacted copies of those statements, I received no meaningful response. Since challenging the way my complaint was handled, I have seemingly been ghosted. That silence matters. Disabled people are already accused far too often of exaggerating, inventing or misreprese...

Advocacy with force at High Force: Today we visited High Force, and while the scenery was absolutely breathtaking, the experience was also a reminder of the barriers disabled people can still face. Living with chronic pain, EDhS and POTS means I have to plan everything carefully. I brought a foldable chair so I could rest safely without relying on there being seating available. Instead of being asked about my accessibility needs, I felt I was spoken to abruptly before I had the chance to explain why I had it. The interaction left me feeling anxious and, for a while, like I was the problem. The important part, though, is that I advocated for myself. I stayed calm, explained my needs, acknowledged that staff have rules to follow, and respectfully said I didn't appreciate the way I was being spoken to. That might not sound like much to some people, but for someone who has experienced anxiety and trauma around conflict, it represents huge personal growth. Disabled people aren't ask...