Me, being active - Shona’s story
Shona lives in Warwickshire, and is a keen cyclist. She says it's taken a while, but with support from the charity, Hearing Link, she has found the confidence to get back out there and enjoy being active. Now, she rides regularly with Warwickshire Ladies Cycling Club and feels proud to be a part of something.
Activity Alliance recognised Sunday 3 December 2017 as International Day for Disabled People with the release of a new collection of Me, Being Active films. Two years since the first collection, viewers meet seven disabled people and learn more about the benefits they gain from being active. The national charity hopes the new films provide disabled people with useful information to lead an active lifestyle.
Shona told Activity Alliance:
Like everybody else, I want to be with people. I want to have fun.
It's not natural for me, with my hearing loss to go and do a group activity. So every time I do and I get a good experience, then it buoys me back up again.
When you have a bit of fun, and you do a bit of keep fit, it builds up your confidence.
Doing it with other people is the real motivation for me. You feel a sense of belonging. I just love it!
The Me, Being Active films are supported by Disability Rights UK and funded by Sport England. They follow the successful Being Active Guide released in 2014, which talks directly to disabled people. It gives those, who are inactive, access to relevant information, so they can have control over where, what and how they start being active. The new collection of films add to the Guide's success, allowing viewers to hear other disabled people's advice.
Activity Alliance worked again with production company Fuzzy Duck to capture the stories of seven disabled people with a range of impairments and long-term health conditions, who all lead active lives. In their own words, each individual shares their personal story about how they first became active and the way it makes them feel.
The new collection of Me, Being Active films are available on Activity Alliance YouTube channel. To watch Anoushé, Evie, Richard, Sam, Shona, Tesfai and Zack's stories, visit the Me, Being Active playlist here.
The Being Active guide is available to download in accessible PDF and Easy Read format. For more information on being active, contact Activity Alliance by email info@activityalliance.org.uk or call 01509 227750.
If you're thinking of taking up cycling, you can find support, advice and events on the British Cycling website. Hearing Link is a UK-wide charity for people with hearing loss, their families and friends. For information about activities and support for people with hearing loss, visit UK Deaf Sport website.
Activity Alliance is the operating name for the English Federation of Disability Sport. This film, first published in 2017, was updated in line with our new brand in March 2019.
