I am a retired Occupational Therapist.

My Fellowship investigated the United States' response to the injured veterans from the Vietnam and Korean wars. It covered housing provision, education, access to leisure facilities, and medical rehabilitation. In addition, it looked at the campaign run by the Paralyzed Veterans of America for laws to improve access to public and other buildings, as well as highlighting discrimination of disabled people. The purpose was to use their lessons in order to improve access to facilities in the UK. I was then (1969) working at the Star and Garter Home for disabled ex-servicemen in Richmond, Surrey. I initiated an access survey of Richmond and wished to take their findings further afield.

My career as an occupational therapist has always been to serve those patients with long-term conditions, following a two-year Voluntary Service Overseas placement In India which focused my attention on the poverty and dreadful living conditions of disabled people in India, and elsewhere, at that time.

My Fellowship experience gave me confidence to stand up and speak about discrimination and write extensively about a change of attitude and laws. It magically opened doors to me.