Blog: “Being active is so beneficial for your confidence"

Now in its third year, our Annual Disability and Activity Survey highlights the worrying effects on the nation’s disabled population and the need for urgent attention to tackle growing inequalities. While last year’s survey highlighted the impact of the pandemic on disabled people, this year’s exposes the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as we recover.

More than 1,800 disabled and non-disabled respondents aged 16+ took part in our survey from October to December 2021. Of those respondents, 20 disabled survey participants also took part in a series of online focus groups. Martin appeared in our recommendation films. Here is his story.

Martin’s story

I’m 36 and I live in Basingstoke. Being and staying active has been a lot harder lately, especially since I retired from playing football.

I’ve had Cerebral Palsy since birth. This affects my ability to move and maintain my balance and posture. I also have had a hip replacement that doesn't help with my muscle tone and spasms. I’ve had a lot of spasms recently and with age my body feels tighter than it did when I was younger.

In the past I was very active, mainly because I was playing football for England and was in the Great Britain CP squad in the 2012 Paralympics. My training schedule was intense, and I was training three times a day.

However, this was needed to ensure I was fully fit and to be the best version of myself on the pitch.

Since I retired in 2019, I have gone from training three times a day to nothing at all. I also went from eating a healthy diet to not being so healthy. Now, in 2022 my positive experience in sport is non-existent because I am having more difficulties with my disability.

I had good days and bad days during the pandemic. A key challenge for me is that I heavily rely on my wife when I’m having bad days. My spasms are painful - my body is so tight, and I feel so weak and tired all the time. I try to have a positive mindset because it leads to having positive outcomes.

Being active is so beneficial, particularly for your confidence and self-esteem. It can make you happier and put a smile on your face. For me, when I was active it improved my strength in every part of my body. I’m sure it also helped me fight off infections too because I wasn't ill when I was more active. And helped me maintain a healthy weight that improved my flexibility and joint mobility.

Fairness for disabled people in sport and activity to me is being able to showcase our ability. Our disability is only one part of us, and this can lead to a perception from others of ‘what we can’t do’. That’s rather than providing and promoting places and opportunities for us to succeed.

I do feel there should be more education around what changes need to be made so that disabled people can be more active. For me, people are scared to come out of their comfort zone because there may not be any opportunities around the local area or it's not that inclusive.

Everyone needs role models or influencers that they look up to, who are going through the same thing. Because sometimes it’s harder to do it on your own rather than with someone. Having the opportunity to have a mentor or mentee to support that journey can give disabled people the guidance that they need. This includes professionals in the local gyms educated to develop an inclusive environment.

Hear more of Martin’s story on our Annual Disability and Activity Survey YouTube playlist.

Visit our Annual Survey page to read the full report and recommendations in detail.

Follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #ActivityAllianceSurvey.