Catherine Gillies

Scotland

Catherine is a regional ambassador for Scotland.

What is your name?
Catherine Gillies

How old are you?
24

Where do you live?
Giffnock, Glasgow

YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH TRAILBLAZERS

How did you first hear about Trailblazers?
Trailblazers was a new addition to MDC, I remember I learned about them through a workshop at one of the conferences at Glasgow.

Why did you get involved with Trailblazers?
I'm young, I know the issues involved with young people but not just young people, being disabled is not just about you're respective diseases, it's about the effect it has on your ability to have access to things that most people my age have. I simply want to change that effect into a positive one.

If there was one thing I could change or achieve, it would be...
It's a fight between removing the necessity of steps or every door opening for you or every pavement having a lowered bit...the built environment needs to change essentially not the person with the disability.

LET'S FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOU!

If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
Emma Goldman, she was an anarchist, I'd like to get her views on disability activism and any strategies with direct action and other forms of getting our message out. And I'd like to give her a big hug, maybe catch a beer with her or whatever she drank.

Favourite food/drink
Macarroni and cheese, Turkish delight vodka.

Favourite ice cream flavour
Chocolate

Favourite TV show/movie
Blackadder (all series), Bram Stoker's Dracula.

QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS

Rock or Rap?
Well Heavy Metal but for the sake of the question...Rock.

Cheese or Chocolate?
Mature cheddar cheese, preferably Arran.

Rom-com or Thriller?
Thriller

ANY LAST WORDS?
Being an ambassador as far as I'm concerned is about representation and helping with the participation of people with disabilities in democratic life. I hope to do a good job.