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Just a Barbie girl in an inaccessible world...

Living life boldly: the realities of chronic illness, business, and beyond.

I’m a proud Wife,
Businesswoman, and Disability Advocate based in Dorset. 

I’ve been chronically ill since I was two, and over the years, I’ve found my passion in disability awareness.

I love opening up the narrative around chronic illness and consider myself an ‘open book’. Creativity is my happy place, so I’m usually knee-deep in some kind of project.

When I’m not working on something, you’ll probably find me with a cup of tea in hand, surrounded by my enormous Barbie collection.

Recently on Instagram

  • I made this video a while ago, but I forgot to post it. It was when the blossom was out (and looking stunning). This was filmed in the morning, by the afternoon I was in hospital. The realities of how quickly health can change with chronic illness!

Each of these outfits is secondhand - either a @vinted find, or from a charity shop. I love secondhand shopping - it's one of my favourite things! 

The only new piece in my lookbook are my @crocseurope wedges - they're soooo comfy and a staple for me in the summer! 

VD: A young woman with pink hair, wearing various summer dresses and outfits, in her garden, walking around.
    12 hours ago
  • AD: Look what’s just landed! The latest Life magazine from CareCo is here, and I’m settling in for a good read - kettle on, feet up ☕

Inside, you’ll find tips, stories from other disabled people, and some brilliant extras - including a tip-on for a free folding walking stick when you spend over £20 in-store. Visit @careco_mobility to find your nearest store. 

AD: Paid Partnership 

VD: Various clips of getting the CareCo Life Magazine, which has photos of a couple using a mobility scooter on the front. The camera then pans to Imali, a white woman with pink hair, flicking through the magazine on the sofa.
    1 day ago
  • Enjoy everyday freedom with a brand-new vehicle on the Motability Scheme. Simply exchange your qualifying mobility allowance for a brand-new car or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV). 

VD: Imali, a young woman with pink hair and a black wheelchair, sitting next to various cars from different brands such as MG, SEAT, CUPRA and Ford. 

@motabilityscheme
    2 days ago
  • AD: Making the decision of which wheelchair accessible vehicle to spend your allowance on can feel daunting, but @gmcoachwork are making it easier. They offer free nationwide demonstrations, so you can try before you buy from the comfort of your own home. Try slotting your own mobility equipment in, try all the features and reassure yourself that you’re making the right choice.

Book a free demonstration via their website www.gmcoachwork.co.uk 

AD: Paid Partnership 

VD: A photo of Imali, a young woman with pink hair, wearing an abstract dress with white Converse. Her legs are crossed and she's sitting in her wheelchair, in front of a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
    4 days ago
  • Don't mind me, just over here fangirling that I met some of @teambritracing 🏎️

In case you didn't know, Team BRIT is the worlds only competitive racing team of all-disabled drivers! Their long-term goal is to become the first ever all-disabled team to race in the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race – how INCREDIBLE would that be?

VD: Imali, wearing an abstract patterned dress with pink hair, sitting in front of a 'Team BRIT' sign with a photo of the race team and car printed on it.
    4 days ago
  • Dynamic disabilities are just that - dynamic.
Some days it’s a wheelchair. Other days it’s a stick, or sometimes on the occasional good day, nothing at all!

But someone at the Motability event still told me I wasn’t “disabled enough” to use the accessible toilet.
Here’s your reminder: disability doesn’t always look the same, and it’s no one else’s place to judge. There are lots of health issues you'd never be able to visibly identify - be kind. 

VD: Imali, a young woman with pink hair, wearing a bright pink suit set. She is showing various mobility aids.
    6 days ago

One year of Merlin & Bruno Happy Stomaversary!

Catch-up on my videos

Recently on Youtube

Introducing my new wheelchair

I was interviewed on Radio 1, talking about accessible housing

Sharing my latest Barbie – with hearing aids!

I reached out to the CEO of Southampton University Hospital

It’s International Wheelchair Day

A tablet displays the "Mai & Me" blog homepage, which focuses on living boldly with chronic illness, business, and life. Around the tablet, there are speech bubbles showing messages from readers, expressing gratitude for the blog’s content. The messages mention topics like feeling less alone with an ileostomy, mucous fistulas, and finding help for stoma care. The header reads "Creating Conversations..."