‘I love changing people’s perspectives on disability’

A STUDENT from Beddau who says he grew up isolated and discriminated against because he is disabled is campaigning to change attitudes across the world.

Josh Reeves, 20, who has cerebral palsy, is taking his campaign, Don’t Call Me Special, global, recruiting ambassadors on Skype from his bedroom.

With the help of social media he is teaching non-disabled children in schools on the Caribbean island of Antigua about disability.

Josh, who now lives in Cardiff, says he was shocked to see the obstacles facing disabled people on the island after visiting it for a three-day Commonwealth conference entitled I Am Able.

The Cardiff and Vale College student’s work is now being backed by the Antiguan High Commissioner, Her Excellency Karen-Mae Hill, who invited him to the conference on the island after visiting his former college, National Star, in Cheltenham.

“I am living with cerebral palsy,” said Josh, who is originally from Beddau.

“I was isolated growing up, with people giving me sympathy and patronising me and a lot of discrimination.

“I don’t want other people with disabilities to feel labelled and that they’re not classed as humans – I don’t want that to happen anymore.

“I was very shocked by the way things were in Antigua. “I went to a care project and these children had no physiotherapy

or occupational therapy and it’s very hard to get the facilities they need.

“The staff are really lovely but it’s not very suitable.

“The stuff they use at National Star and Cardiff and Vale College, where I am now, would be a luxury out there.”

The campaigner said he went to one school in Antigua where children had to get a plank of wood to enable him to get his power chair up the steps.

In his hotel, Josh said the manager had to physically knock down a step to enable Josh to get his chair into the shower.

“I want people who are non-disabled to become advocates, to make sure persons with disabilities are being treated fairly and to keep an eye out to make sure they’re not bullied and they can get to areas they want to go to.”

Josh hopes his Don’t Call Me Special campaign will get his message out at home and abroad.

He plans to target schools in the UK and other Commonwealth countries and places where he has friends, including Africa, Australia and India.

He’s also harnessing social media, being active on a Commonwealth WhatsApp group and planning to make a YouTube documentary about his trip in Antigua.

“I want my campaign to be on top form next year. It’s my dream job, I love changing people’s perspectives.

“I feel that I’ve been put on this earth to do this.”

People travelled from around the world for the I Am Able conference to discuss disabled people’s access to education, employment, political participation and health.

Josh led the conference youth forum, having been invited by his former teacher, David Finch, director of Technology Information at National Star.

“The lawyers and doctors at the conference used the word ‘handicapped’ and I told them they shouldn’t,” said Josh.

“I think everyone learned that I don’t like the word ‘special’ either and we don’t have ‘carers’, we have PAs or facilitators.

“It’s not the people, it’s society. I’m going to make sure people learn there’s a better way.”