Fight for what you believe in.

A message for International Women’s Day…

Karen Watson is Co-Founder of the Cerebral Palsy Adult Advice UK Facebook group.

Together with her friend Kirstie Goodwin, they spotted a gap in the provision of advice and support for adults with cerebral palsy so they set up this group exclusively for adults and their families.

Since forming in 2017, the group has grown to 1,200 members and is extremely active, providing advice on navigating services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, orthotics, wheelchair services, speech and language and dietetics (to name just a few).

Karen and Kirstie continue to moderate and administrator the group and spend time seeking out new products and services that might be of interest to their membership.

This led them to Aergo Health and a demo of the size 3 Aergo PS - we really appreciated their input and feedback especially in helping us understand the challenges faced by adults with a disability in the UK.

Karen and Kirstie both kindly agreed to share their thoughts with Aergo Health on the importance of International Women’s Day.

Here’s what Karen has to say…

Do you think it is important to celebrate International Women’s Day?

Yes I do. Women have fought to be recognised as equal and at last we are getting somewhere.

Have you faced any barriers in your life / career / person with a disability due to being a woman? If so, how did you overcome them?

I can’t say that I have experienced any barriers as a disabled woman as such.

However, I have experienced men being surprised at my knowledge of certain things - as a woman.

Yes I can use a screwdriver, spanner, saw etc.

Yes I have basic mechanical knowledge of how the car works.

I can also sew, cook, and bake - it is possible to have a vast range of abilities, despite being a woman!

Share an unpopular opinion...

Knowledge of mechanical things is not exclusive to men.

Can you name an inspirational female role model?

My friend Kirstie Goodwin.

Kirstie is a disabled single mum, who works and is doing an amazing job of bringing up two young ladies.

As well as this she is my Co Founder of CP Adult Advice UK, and spends all her spare time - including lunch breaks, supporting the Adult CP Community.

What's your best bit of advice to girls or young women?

Believe in yourself and fight for what you believe in.

Be kind, be happy and be patient - none of us know what others are going through.

What's the best thing about being a woman?

We get doors opened for us.

Our sincerest thanks to Karen for taking part in our #IWD series of interviews.

For more information about Karen & Kristie’s FB group visit Cerebral Palsy Adult Advice UK - the group is open to adults with CP and their parents, carers and friends. It is a safe space to support each other through shared experience, knowledge and advice. Parents of children entering adult services are also welcome to join.