Tiago Costa is an Arsenal fan who has lived in London since his schooldays. He is unable to walk, having suffered from spinal muscular atrophy since birth. He is computer literate and articulate, but would like to do more: to engage with colleagues and contribute to the society around him. Interested by in software, he has tested himself on London-based Concentra’s OrgVue software, working with an LSE student to make a video of how to load data in OrgVue. The experience has helped build his sense of what he can do and what he wants to do.

In the next 12 months Tiago needs to improve the equipment that helps him live and work. He can move only his finger and a thumb on his left hand. He has only had the feeling of standing up once in his life before. This happened in March 2017, when he tested a new wheelchair that allows adopting a vertical position. Such chairs cost over £25,000. Tiago recognises that the cost may be beyond him and he may therefore never again feel what it is like to stand up.

Tiago also needs lateral thinking on what else might help: voice recognition to help him work? Different types of mouse to interact more easily? A job testing user interfaces? As I work with people with vast technical capability and lively ideas, I figured their help and input could be valuable. We are organising a group of runners to raise money and ideas for Tiago’s wheelchair. Our aims has to be to see Tiago stand again and to see him make his own way in the world.