Trailblazers' testimonies...

Matt Smith, South West

As a Trailblazer I’ll be focusing my campaigning on services like hydrotherapy and physiotherapy, which are essential to my well being. I have found that exercise, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy are very effective ways of slowing down the progression of my muscular dystrophy. It is imperative that these services are easily available to help keep people as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Trailblazers will give me an opportunity to make friends with people in a similar situation to myself and to work with them to push for progress.  

I personally am doing very well for my age and still walk using my leg braces. I hope to inspire and encourage younger members of the group to keep active. I think this is a great opportunity to make a real positive difference for people with neuromuscular conditions and hopefully all people with physical disabilities.

Wayne Lenson, South West

Trailblazers is a great opportunity for me to get my voice heard on the issues that matter to me. I will have the chance meet other young campaigners and tell politicians what I think about the services in Cornwall.

I plan to raise awareness and campaign on the issue of shops and restaurants not providing better facilities for people who need disabled access.

Judith Merry, West Midlands 

As well as having the chance to campaign on the things that are most important to me, Trailblazers will give me an opportunity to make friends with people who have similar interests. Trailblazers will also give me the chance to inform younger members of the group about the problems they might face, and to talk with the older members about what they found to be good tactics in all aspects of life.

It will be great to see this project develop into such a big network as it will help so many campaigners like myself to learn lots of new skills which we’ll all be able to use in the future.

James Lee, London 

I joined Trailblazers because I believe strongly in the ideals and aims of the network. The work we do and the campaigns we run are some of the most fulfilling things I have ever done. 

The Trailblazers network is very keen on encouraging young people to develop their own skills through real, practical experience.  In my time as a Trailblazer I’ve been given countless opportunities to develop essential skills which employers look for. For me, time spent with Trailblazers is never wasted.

Stephen Liney, South East 

I’m a Trailblazer and I come in to the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign office twice a week to work on Trailblazers’ campaigns as well as for office experience. I want to raise awareness of the issues in society that affect disabled people. I also hope that volunteering will help me to get paid work.

Sulaiman Khan, London 

Why am I a Trailblazer? Women. Well, mostly to meet lots of beautiful women… However, I also joined Trailblazers because I want to meet new people (especially people my age who also have muscular dystrophy); to be at the forefront of protecting the rights of young people with muscle disease; to make policy-makers (at local, regional, and national level) acknowledge us and invest money into the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s research programme and to create and experience exciting projects for Trailblazers.

Dave Gale, North East 

I joined Trailblazers because I wanted to meet people who face similar challenges and to help them achieve their goals. I see no reason why young disabled people should not realise their hopes and dreams.