Mathy Selvakumaran
East Midlands
Mathy is a Regional Ambassador in East Midlands.
What is your name? 
Mathy Selvakumaran
How old are you?
21
Where do you live?
Worksop, Nottinghamshire, but I go to university in Sheffield so I tell everyone I'm from there since no-one's ever heard of Worksop and it's not the most spectacular name or place ever!
YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH TRAILBLAZERS
How did you first hear about Trailblazers?
My mom found a news article in her BMJ newsletter (I think) about somethingTrailblazers had done, and she thought I'd might like to get involved.
Why did you get involved with Trailblazers?
When I first heard about Trailblazers in the summer of 2009, I'd just finished my first year of university and had a pretty miserable time because of problems I was having related to my disability (accommodation difficulties, etc.). I've never known any other disabled people that I could talk to about disability-related things, and I thought working with Trailblazers would provide me with the opportunity to get to know other disabled people, while campaigning on issues that affect my everyday life.
If there was one thing I could change or achieve, it would be...
Personally, it would be to get my Masters and PhD and get an awesome job; thinking more globally, I would like to be able to raise people's awareness about accessibility issues for disabled people, and make the world (very ambitious here!) fully accessible. I think a lot of people take for granted the fact that they can go up a couple of steps to get to a room, or reach a book on a very high shelf, but for a lot of disabled people problems like this cut them out.
LET'S FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOU!
If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
As a Spanish geek I'd have to say King Juan Carlos, I of Spain around the time he came to the throne in 1975. I've always been interested in that period of time in Spanish history, so it would be pretty cool to spend a day with him around that time, when he was making lots of political changes to the country.
Favourite food/drink
I love pies, sweet or savoury! And lychees and pomegranates. For drink, nothing beats a good old cup of tea! Not many people have heard of my other favourite drink, I think it might be a Canadian thing - it's called a Shirley Temple, and it's made of orange juice, Sprite and grenadine. It's a kid's drink but I love it!
Favourite ice cream flavour
Chocolate is my usual order. If I'm at one of those fancy places that has tons of choice I always like to try something new - Red Velvet flavour with fudge bits is my new random choice pick!
Favourite TV show/movie
My favourite TV shows are always changing but right now I'm hooked on NCIS, Bones, New Girl, Cupcake Wars, The Middle, and everyone's favourite, Friends. My favourite movies are Juno, The Blind Side, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Volver and Wild Child.
QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS
Rock or Rap?
I like a bit of everything really but deep down I'm a rock chick - you can't separate me from my Paramore and You Me At Six albums!
Cheese or Chocolate?
I'm slightly lactose intolerant so I really shouldn't be eating either, but I especially love chocolate.
Rom-com or Thriller?
Rom-com - I'm a sucker for girly, pink, happy-ever-after movies!
ANY LAST WORDS?
I like to use Oscar Pistorius' sporting motto as my own motivational philosophy: "You're not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have." I hope that by being the East Midland Regional Ambassador I can get more people involved with Trailblazers and help raise awareness about our national campaigns and issues.