CRIPPING UP // If I ever go quiet on Instagram you can most likely assume that’s it’s because I’m busy on Twitter talking about disability! It feels easier to discuss disability related issues over there but I definitely want this space to reflect more of my activism so, strap in for some words about the new Sia film! Me Before You came out 4 years ago, with a non-disabled actor (we call this cripping up) and a plot that was designed for the abled gaze. 4 years on and disabled people are still fighting the same issue, this time it’s Sia new film ‘Music’. The film follows a young non-verbal autistic girl, played by a neurotypical actress (Maddie Ziegler), issue number one. The film as a whole has been written for the abled gaze, written to be inspiration porn, issue number two. Sia also worked with the extremely harmful organisation Autism Speaks on it, issue number three. And then she proceeded to abuse autistic people on Twitter when they dared to criticise the film, issue number four. Autistic people were barely involved in the telling of this story and it shows. I’m neurotypical myself though and it’s absolutely not my place to lead this conversation so, I have commissioned two paid posts for my blog by autistic people, one of whom is non-verbal. I’m really excited to hand over my space to them for a bit so they can share their thoughts. It’s something I want to do a lot more of on my blog! For now if you want to learn more about why the film is harmful head to my Twitter where I’ve talked about this in more detail and retweeted autistic people’s thoughts, check out the #ActuallyAutistic hashtag too! 📸: @fordtography #Disabled #Disability #DisabilityRights #DisabledAndCute #BabeWithAMobilityAid #FreelanceWriter #DisabledBlogger #DisabledAndProud #DisabilityAdvocate #DisabilityActivism 
I couldn’t let #LoveTheatreDay pass without saying a few words! 🎭 It’s not an understatement to say that theatre changed my life. I met @iridescentjemma through theatre, so many of my friends as well and I’ve built a career in the industry, as well having a passion for it and campaigning to improve accessibility within the industry 🌟 It breaks my heart that we can’t be in theatres today to celebrate but I know we will come back stronger than ever before, I can’t wait to be sat in a theatre again laughing, crying, feeling. There is no experience like it! #Theatre #MusicalTheatre #Musical #SixTheMusical #EugeniusTheMusical #BatOutOfHell #BatOutOfHellMusical #Eugenius #TheatrePhotographer #TheatrePhotography #TheatreReviewer 
I’m thrilled to be supporting @faithcatherinemary campaign @committoaccess to get venues and artists to commit to better accessibility for disabled fans across music and live entertainment venues. You all know how passionate I am about improving access and representation within the theatre industry, so campaigns like this are super important to get our voices out there! #CommitToAccess #Theatre #AccessibleTheatre #LiveMusic #AccessibleVenue #MusicVenue #LiveMusicVenue #LoveTheatreDay #Disability #Disabled #Accessibility #DisabilityRights 
BOOKS BY DISABLED AUTHORS // Well, everyone loved my first blog post sharing books by disabled authors so I’ve written another one! This one has everything from a graphic novel to a vampire fantasy and memoirs! Incredible reads from @hayleighbarclay @thesineadburke @habengirma @sitting_pretty & @mariekeyn 📚 Head to my blog to learn more about them all, you can find the link in my bio! And as always, leave your own recommendations below 👇🏻 Gifted: I was kindly gifted a proof copy of Girl Of The Ashes but I have not been paid and am under no obligation to post about it. #Books #Book #Reading #ToBeRead #Bookstagram #BookShelf #BookPile #BookRecommendations #BookBlogger #DisabledAuthor #Disabled #Disability 
LISTENING TO MY BODY // I’ve never been a fan of pacing because it just doesn’t really fit into my daily life. When I’m in the flow of writing if I stop to rest I lose that, and when I’m taking photos having a break can mean missing a moment. However, I do fully subscribe to the idea of listening to my body. Whilst I don’t always take breaks at the right time or slow down before I burnout, I do always know when enough is enough, like today. It’s been a long busy week of zoom calls, writing and photoshoots and last night my neck seized up after it all. I was meant to be photographing a theatre industry protest today but I’m listening to my body instead. It’s a day of self care and rest for me. Of course that little voice in my head is there, telling me that as a freelancer I need to be constantly working or I’ll ‘never make it’ but we all need breaks and I know that come tomorrow I’ll be more ready than ever to get back to smashing it 👏🏻 📸: @fordtography #Disabled #Disability #BabeWithAMobilityAid #DisabledAndCute #Wheelchair #WheelchairUser #WheelchairLife #Powerchair #Freelancer #FreelanceWriter #FreelancePhotographer #Autumn #AutumnPhotoshoot #AutumnVibes #DisabledAndProud #ChronicIllness 
#AD // Are you more of an angel or a demon? Rewatching Good Omens on @primevideouk has me wondering what side I fall on! I definitely feel like I have a little demon and angel sitting on my shoulders sometimes, guiding me through life 😂 I think I have to put myself on team demon for this show though, David Tennant is just too good! If you missed watching the show when it first came out I implore you to give it a watch this month, especially if like me you aren’t a fan of scary films but want something a little dark to watch this Halloween! 😈😇 📸: @fordtography 🎨: @iridescentjemma 
Autumn, I’m coming for ya! 🍁 📸: @fordtography #Autumn #AutumnFashion #Autumnal #AutumnVibes #Outfit #OutfitOfTheDay #OOTD #FromWhereISit #fwis #Wheelchair #Powerchair #WheelchairUser #WheelchairLife #WheelchairFashion #PortraitPhotography #FashionPhotography 
This week has been an absolute rollercoaster when it comes to accessibility 🤯 We started off poorly with an unfair access booking system for the Les Mis Staged Concert, and a complete lack of communication even within that system. I love the theatre industry and I want a career in it but issues like this are always a stark reminder that even just as an audience member we are still so far away from equality! So, I was very relieved that yesterday I had an experience that reminded me that there are people fighting my corner. My bus was late so I arrived for my train into London only a few minutes before it was due, not a problem for a non-disabled person but as a wheelchair user who needs ramp assistance it can be an issue arriving this late. My local station were incredible as always though and jumped into action quickly, I came straight out the lift and straight on to the train as they were ready and waiting with the ramp! They really do respect my time, my work and that I have places to be like everyone else 👏🏻 Here’s hoping for a more uneventful week next week! #Disabled #Disability #DisabilityRights #Accessible #Accessibility #DisabledAndCute #BabeWithAMobilityAid #Wheelchair #WheelchairUser #WheelchairLife #Powerchair #QuantumRehab #QuantumRehabUK #DisabledBlogger #PortraitPhotography 
AD // I’m getting my tiger stripes out today to tell you all about these fab underwear from @modibodi 🌟 Dressing can be a little tricky for me as a disabled person, with underwear being one of my biggest challenges. Lifting my legs up is difficult and painful these days due to my dodgy hips, but the detachable clasps on these underwear completely removes the need to do that 😍 They’re period, pee and perspiration proof, as well as being super comfy! Putting on underwear has truly never been easier for me 👏🏻 you can read more about them on my blog! And get 15% off with the code ‘SHONA15’ ✨ #AD #Gifted #Modibodi #Accessible #AccessibleFashion #AccessibleClothes #Disabled #Disability #StretchMarks #Periods #PeriodUnderwear #DisabledBlogger #DisabledBloggers #Confidence #AllBodiesAreGoodBodies 
I got my first paid photography job just before lockdown and it was so tough not being able to build on that and take photos for 6 months but ✨ things started picking back up recently and I got to shoot 2 fab events/performances, you can see all the photos over at @shonalouise_photography (give them some love please!) 📸 I also finally upgraded my camera recently so I’m really excited to shoot with that more! I went for a non-photography/writing related job recently that I was gutted I didn’t get but I feel really positive about my freelance writing + photography and I’m more determined than ever before to make it my full time gig 👏🏻 #Photography #Photographer #TheatrePhotographer #EventPhotographer #EventPhotography #TheatrePhotography #PortraitPhotographer #CanonEOSR #CanonPhotography #FreelancePhotographer 
✨ Darling, I fancy you ✨ 📸: @joshcoleman98 #Love #Lover #TaylorSwiftLover #TaylorSwift #TaylorSwiftLyrics #Couple #LGBTQ #LGBT #LGBTCouple #Lesbian #Lesbians #LesbianCouple #Disabled #Disability #DisabledAndCute #CoupleGoals 
AD For several years now I’ve been saying I’m going to make my own mini gallery wall, and thanks to @my_picture_co_uk I have finally done it! I had so many prints waiting to go up but I was missing a centre piece, a photo of me and @iridescentjemma, and #my_picture_co_uk really have delivered on what I wanted 😍 My walls are so much brighter now! If you want to have a go at making your own gallery wall you can get 10% off with the code ‘SHONALOUISE10’ & you can read more about it on my blog! Find the link in my bio ✨ #mypictureco_uk #ad #gifted #gallerywall #photoprints #canvasprint #gallerywalldecor #gallerywallinspo #homedecor #homedecorideas #lbloggers #lifestylebloggers #ukbloggers #blog #blogger 
DIVERSIFYING YOUR BOOKSHELF // Despite being disabled myself I recently realised that my bookshelf was seriously lacking disability representation, so I did some hunting, put a call out on Twitter and went on a book shopping spree! I’ve shared 5 of my recent favourites on my blog today, all of them are written by disabled people and are a mixture of fiction & non-fiction. I really recommend you have a read of the post and add a few to your wishlist, disabled voices must be heard ✨ #Disabled #Disability #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityRights #DisabledAndCute #Books #Book #BookBlogger #DiverseBooks #DisabledAuthor #DisabledAuthors #BookRecommendations #BookReview 
LEARNING TO DRIVE // Today was a massive step forward in my journey of learning to drive! I got behind the wheel of a car for the first time and gave hand controls a go! I’m beyond grateful to @hertsability for being so patient and encouraging, I felt very safe and confident during my assessment 🚙 We did a lot of roundabouts, pulling up on the side of the road and then they even let me drive back to the assessment centre via a tricky route! It was such a good experience and I loved every minute, a small taste of the freedom that is ahead! And I’m a natural driver apparently 💁🏻♀️ #LearningToDrive #Driving #AutomaticCar #Disabled #Disability #MarfanSyndrome #DisabledAndCute #DisabilityAwareness #DrivingLessons