Q&A With Hannah Deakin

After an injury sustained as a young teenager, Hannah developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and secondary complications requiring the use of a powerchair.

Hannah has been listed on the Disability Power 100, is a blogger and public speaker, was invited to give a TEDx speech, regularly appears on the news, and is a part-time trainee accountant. A busy schedule indeed!

We sat down with Hannah to discuss the accessibility issues still plaguing public places in the UK, the things you learn when you become disabled, and her vital ambassadorship roles with White Lodge and Purple Tuesday.

What are some of the frustrations that you still must deal with in 2025 with accessibility?

A significant number of shops and restaurants are still not accessible in 2025. Everywhere I go, I have to check the access prior to attending and availability of accessible toilet facilities. Meticulous planning and attention to detail is required.

If you could change one thing about the way mobility issues are perceived, what would that be?

That society realised using a wheelchair or mobility aid is not the worst thing in the world. That mobility aids provide freedom, independence, access to the world. They improve people's quality of life and are enabling, not disabling.

Without my wheelchair I would be mainly in bed, but able to take a few steps in the house with a walker and support. With no aids I would be in bed all the time. That is far worse. Not being able to go out in the garden, to work, to go to physiotherapy, to go to work, see friends and family and not be able to live my life.

I spent 3.5 years bedbound and seeing four walls. That is far worse.

Do workplaces need to do more for people with disabilities/mobility issues?

Definitely, workplaces need to ensure they are accessible to all and inclusive. Workplaces often underestimate the value disabled people bring to a company. Disabled people provide excellent problem-solving, adaptable, resilient employees. As well as helping workplaces become more representative of society. Which in turn will translate to success, increased growth and profitability. Companies need to rethink how they perceive disabled people. By seeing disabled people as a negative and not being inclusive, they are the ones that are missing out.

What disability aids do you use?

A powerchair, four wheeled walker. I have just started training sessions with a lot of support in physiotherapy sessions, a slide board, shower chair, profiling bed, air flow mattress, manual wheelchair, perching stool, ramps and various accessories.

Are you studying or working at the moment?

I am studying Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and so far, have passed 8/13 exams.

I also work part-time as a Finance Administrator.

How do you manage to balance studying, working, physiotherapy and health?

With great difficulty! I have to do 3-4 hours of physiotherapy a day to maintain my pain, stiffness, mobility and progress. On days when I work, I often end up only doing 2 hours and I suffer with exhaustion and more pain as a result.

It is a balancing act I don't get much time to socialise but when I study, I am very antisocial. I take a lot of my annual leave to work to study and I just need to get through that period.

I have a very active brain which my body doesn't keep up with. I have to rein it in a bit so that is actually possible. As a result, I often overdo it and pay the price.

How do you exercise?

I attend White Lodge, a centre for disabled children and adults in Surrey twice a week for a mixture of physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and fitness. Fitness is like exercise, strengthening muscles and using the Motomed bike.

I go swimming once a week. Initially, I spasm a lot when I get in the pool, but once I have settled and adjusted to the temperature I can swim well.

Without my wheelchair I would be mainly in bed, but able to take a few steps in the house with a walker and support.

I mainly swim with my arms, but try and get my legs to move a bit. I also find the pool a useful place to do standing practice and other exercises.

At home I do a variety of bed exercises, exercises in my powerchair, standing, walking with a frame, sprints and my PA.

Have you been involved in any disability sporting events?

I have participated in three Superhero Tri events. They are great fun and I would recommend them to everyone. It is an accessible triathlon where most people dress up as superheroes. People are no to cut off times and anything goes. You can do it on your own or as part of a team. At least one person in each team should consider themselves to have a disability.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I don't really have free time. I am always busy and trying to fit everything into my day! I rarely watch television or just relax. I am generally either on the go or recovering/sleeping. Especially in the fact that things take longer, the daily physio I have to do and the exhaustion that means I need to have a sleep in the day, time doesn't seem to be on my side!

What are your hobbies?

I train for exercise but I enjoy swimming anyway. Writing blog posts is also probably a hobby, often in downtime. I pick up at a time when I need some down time. I pick it up and put it down over days or sometimes weeks when I have a few minutes here and there.

I also enjoy occasional meet ups with friends and my godchildren.

What is your experience with travelling?

My travelling experience is limited. I have a lot of pain when travelling so I have not ventured far. I have stayed in the Holiday Inn at Winchester, Ellwood Cottages in Dorset and a hotel called The Towers in Swansea for my friend's wedding.

I had a good experience with all of them. I would like to travel more and hope to branch out.

I would recommend doing your homework with any destination first. It is great to know someone has been there and this is a good starting point, but phone the place up and check their website if you remember that disability affects everyone differently.

What would you say to someone who has just been diagnosed with an illness or acquired a disability?

It is hard. I acknowledge that. I may take months or years to come to terms with. But try and embrace your disability. Take any opportunity that comes your way with both hands. If you don't, reach out to charities and find out what opportunities are out there. Connect with others who have disabilities and follow them on social media. The world will reopen for you. It may well be different, there may be hurdles and obstacles along the way, but you have got this!

What have you learnt from becoming disabled?

That there is no equity in the world. I will have to work harder than non-disabled people to show my capability.

What is the biggest challenge of being disabled?

Other people's attitudes, assumptions and stereotypes.

Is there anything that has surprised you about becoming disabled?

How supportive and welcoming the disabled community are. We are always there for each other. I love the fact we struggle to go past another wheelchair user without smiling at a minimum but often stopping and starting to chat. Can you imagine non-disabled people doing that!

What one thing would you like to change and improve for the disabled community?

To change people seeing disabled people as less than and the assumptions that disability only affects old people.

Often, I find people expect less from a disabled person. Most disabled people, are just as capable and able as non-disabled people, they just have additional hurdles to navigate to achieve the same result.

However, society often assumes if you use a wheelchair then mentally you are not as able. I would encourage everyone to treat disabled people like they treat non-disabled people. Like people. If for example you say 'Hi' the worst that can happen if the disabled person can't speak, is you don't get an answer. However, they may well have heard you and appreciated being treated properly.

What are your ambitions in life?

I want to become a Chartered Accountant and progress my career as far as possible.

I would like to make more of a difference, help change and challenge these harmful stereotypes and help society change their view and treatment of disabled people.

Tell us about your ambassador roles.

I am an ambassador for White Lodge, in Chertsey, Surrey, which supports children, young people and adults with disabilities. They have a nursery, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy for children and adults, playschemes and a respite centre for young people, and they provide leisure and life skills for adults.

I speak at various events, raising awareness of the charity and sharing how they have helped me.

I am also an ambassador for Purple Tuesday, a great initiative founded by Mike Adams encouraging businesses from places of work to commercial shops to consider the needs of disabled people and be more inclusive. I have been up to Canary Wharf and spoken about them.

You were listed on the Disability Power 100 in 2024! Can you tell us more about that?

I am honoured to have been listed on the Disability Power 100 2024. The list run by the Shaw Trust recognises the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK. The presentation evening was in Wembley at a lovely accessible venue. It was great to meet so many incredible disabled people.

I was recognised on the list due to my blog Hannah's Hope, co-founding a Disability Awareness Network (DAWN) at work, being an ambassador, on the news, radio, writing a number of articles and speaking at many events.

Visit hannahshope.co.uk