IWD:‘Be anything you want to be…’
This is Lucy Chillery-Watson’s message to her daughter Carmela and young girls everywhere.
Lucy joined us in celebrating International Women’s Day as one of the strong, resilient and talented women who have inspired us over the years.
Lucy is a designer, author, fundraiser and advocate - at the heart of everything she does is her daughter Carmela who has a life-limiting, muscle-wasting disease - LMNA-CMD.
Lucy and Carmela took part in the development and trials of the Aergo PS and their insight and feedback was invaluable.
We’ve enjoyed following their journey ever since and celebrating their many awards and recognitions!
We caught up with Lucy last week and asked her a few #IWD themed questions…
Do you think it is important to celebrate International Women’s Day?
Ha! I’m not sure I’m the best person to have asked to take part in this interview. I’m not overly fussed on International Women’s Day, if I’m completely honest. I think we’re overloaded with awareness days and as a result we’ve lost sight of the important ones.
I think we’ve come a long way in achieving equality for women and yes there is still work to be done in relation to pay for example but personally, I’d rather focus my efforts and attention on raising awareness of Carmela’s condition LMNA-Related Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (LMNA-CMD) and the work of Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Have you faced any barriers in your life / career / as a special needs parent? If so, how did you overcome them?
To be honest I haven’t, but I am very verbal, I speak up and I speak out. I have a strong voice especially when it comes to things that stir me up.
I do find that as a parent, my opinion in relation to Carmela’s care can be ignored by healthcare professionals but I’ve found clever ways to ensure that doesn’t happen and I make sure I get heard.
Share an unpopular opinion...
Android over Apple (for the camera performance).
Can you name an inspirational female role model?
Oh gosh that’s a hard one - my immediate thought is Gal Gadot…but then Pink comes to mind. OK, I’m going to go for Pink.
She’s an amazingly strong woman, she speaks up for so many and I was moved by her MTV awards speech where she shared story about her daughter, self-image and conformity.
She really is an inspirational Ambassador for women and America should be very proud of her achievements.
What's your best bit of advice to girls or young women?
Be anything you want to be. Put in the effort, dream big and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
What's the best thing about being a woman?
For me, it’s been carrying a baby and giving birth.
Thanks to Lucy for joining us for our Aergo Health IWD series.
If you would like to follow Carmela’s journey you can catch her here. You can also support Lucy and Carmela’s fundraising by purchasing a hand dyed twister long sleeved t-shirt from their Rare n Roar collection or Lucy’s book ‘Wondergirl Carmela & Tinker the Stinker’.
