EDIT: Due to unforseen circumstances and essential maintenance at the airfield my jump has been rescheduled for the 3/9/21. I'm a bit disappointed but safety first! But as they say every cloud has a silver lining, at least I'll have a week extra to raise valuable funds for my awesome charity!

Hey well I'm lindsay, some of you may know me but some of you may not, either way this is my story of how I ended up commiting to jumping from 15000ft for this worthy cause. There is so much I could write here but I will try keep it short and sweet.

Well about me, I am registered both mentally and physically disabled. I have a rare form of crohns disease, which almost killed me in 2017 and I'm diagnosed with bi polar type 2, severe anxiety disorder and borderline personality disorder (since 2015)! I have mostly accepted that the life I thought I would have, can no longer happen! I had/have more than 1 invisible disability and I more or less had to kiss my nursing career goodbye! I lost friends, was unable to work, it affected my ability to be a good wife and mother. 

I've been advised by doctors that I will find employment hard to achieve and maintain, and unfortunately they were mostly right. Every job I applied for I was overlooked, once the health questionnaire appeared. I've searched and applied and been rejected for work for the last 6 to 7 years. It was demoralising, I felt worthless and inconsequential. 

But then through a very close friend I met Debz and we got talking, she is the manager of the local scope shop  in Manchester. I told her how I would love to volunteer or work, but so many obstacles are in my way. I was open and honest about my mental and physical health. She listened and empathised and then she did the most amazing thing...she offered me a volunteer position! She had heard all my truths and still saw enough in me to give me a chance! I've been volunteering for a month or so now, my self confidence is growing, I feel for those 8 hours a week I have a purpose. I've been welcomed by everyone I have come into contact with (Louise, Annette, ariella) and thoroughly enjoy just being there. 

I have always wanted to do a parachute jump and have always been a bit of a dare devil and thrill seeker. I'm quite nervous and scared, but I've looked death in the face and survived! So after researching SCOPE and learning of all the ways they help and support our disabled population, I just knew I had found the right cause for me to fundraise for.

There are almost 14 million disabled people in the UK, that’s one in five of us. Life is harder when you’re disabled. You're twice as likely to be unemployed, getting care is a struggle and the cost of living is higher. It’s wrong.So I'm fundraising for Scope to create a fairer society. And we won’t stop until we have everyday equality. At home, at school, at work and in our communities. Together we’ll challenge stigma and end the injustice. Join me in making this happen. Let’s end disability inequality, today.

If you have read this far then thank you so very much! May I ask please that if you could make a small donation, I would be so very grateful. And whether you can donate or not, please could you share my link? 

Kind regards, be kind, and love each other