MPs are about to vote on an issue that stirs deep emotion on both sides: the legalisation of assisted dying in England and Wales. As someone who lives with life-limiting muscular dystrophy, complicated by heart and respiratory failure, this debate is not an abstract one for me. It’s personal. When I was three, doctors told my parents I wouldn’t live past 16. When I reached 16, they said I wouldn’t live past 30. As I approach my 60th birthday, I am living proof of how unpredictable medical outcomes can be. And that’s the crux of my concern: how often doctors can get it wrong, and what that could mean if assisted dying becomes part of the state apparatus. Let me be clear: I fully understand why this debate is so fraught. No one wants to see anyone suffer through unbearable pain at the end of...

Yesterday, Apple revealed the highly anticipated Apple Watch Series 10, continuing its tradition of blending cutting-edge technology with sleek design. At the launch event, CEO Tim Cook proudly spoke about how the Apple Watch has “deeply impacted the lives of millions of people” by helping them stay active, healthy, and connected. This latest iteration pushes the envelope even further with new features like sleep apnea notifications. It’s yet another impressive leap forward in Apple’s mission to help people monitor their health and wellbeing, all from a device worn on their wrist. However, as a person with a severe physical disability, my excitement for the Apple Watch Series 10 was tempered by a sense of disappointment. While Cook’s words were undoubtedly inspiring, the event highlighted ...

As the Paralympics in Paris captivate and inspire people around the world, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have launched the “Equipped for Equity” campaign, drawing attention to the urgent need for greater access to assistive technology. The WHO estimates that over 2.5 billion people globally need at least one assistive product, such as a wheelchair, hearing aid, or communication software. Shockingly, nearly 1 billion people lack access to these essential technologies. This global call to action serves as a poignant reminder that technology, which can empower and transform lives, remains inaccessible to millions worldwide. In the UK, despite being one of the wealthiest countries, many of the 16 million disabled people still find themselv...

As Keir Starmer entered 10 Downing Street with a strong mandate from the British public , there is a resounding call for substantial reforms across various sectors. Among the most pressing is the urgent need to overhaul the social care system. This system, as it stands, is broken and unjust, particularly towards disabled people and their carers. Starmer and his Labour Party must prioritise social care reform to deliver the change that voters desperately need and deserve. The dire state of social care The current social care system in England is failing its most vulnerable citizens. Disabled people face significant financial burdens due to care charges that can consume up to 40% of their income. Local councils, grappling with underfunding from central government, often refer unpaid care cha...

Update: This article has been updated to include the Green Party’s policies on social care. As a disabled person who relies on social care for the basics in life that many take for granted—such as help with getting out of bed in the morning, getting dressed, washed, eating, and going to the toilet—I have been charged hundreds of pounds a month by my local council for this essential help. Furthermore, means testing prevents me from saving for my future with a cap on the amount of savings allowed. With this unfairness in the forefront of my mind, it will come as no surprise that of all the various policies put forward by the main political parties at the General Election on 4th July, it is their policies on social care that are pivotal for determining my quality of life and access to essenti...