I was born prematurely at 34 weeks and suffered a lifelong physical disability. That was 78 years ago when there was no NHS and incubators to provide intensive care treatment. A lack of oxygen to the brain had caused the physical impairments and had these services been in place the disability wouldn’t have happened as I was born “normal” weighing 6lb 3oz. As a consequence I had a very troubled childhood and adolescence with no outside support that caused me to suffer anxiety and depression and a prescription drug addiction for ten years. I had no definitive diagnosis of the physical disability until I underwent a brain scan at 53 years old that showed a brain injury.

At 20-years-old I underwent two pioneering osteotomy operations to correct/straighten a severely dislocated hip and fixed knee. The surgery left me extremely weak and slowed me down considerably while all my friends were moving on with their lives. I was left behind as a lifelong spectator to other people’s lives, an experience I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

Elizabeth Joan Wade ejwade@sky.com Yes Yes