I was delighted to be invited onto the #RothleyOnTheRecord podcast to discuss my journey back to practice as a solicitor after experiencing a life-changing stroke at just 26.
In conversation with Heledd Wyn, I reflected on what it was like to live through a brain injury, the impact of disability, and how those experiences now shape the way I practice law in the Court of Protection, Community Care and Special Educational Needs teams at Boyes Turner.
Living with disability
I understand how overwhelming it can feel to navigate the complicated and often unforgiving health and social care systems. It would have been easy to see my stroke as the end of my legal career and at times it nearly was. Instead, it forced me to rethink how I work, what I need to thrive, and how I can best support others.
I would not be able to access the workplace without an army of professional support and plentiful reasonable adjustments. I understand how it feels to have to rely on other people for personal care so I can be empathetic and understanding when supporting clients through similar processes.
Why this matters in my practice
Ultimately, my stroke did not stop my career. Instead, it has shaped me into a solicitor who is able to combine legal expertise with powerful lived experience. It means I can connect more closely with clients, challenge barriers to accessibility, and advocate fiercely for the rights of disabled people and their families.
Looking ahead
It has and continues to be a difficult road. But I am proud to be here doing the work I love alongside colleagues who value both my lived experience and legal expertise.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support me.
