Isaac Harvey MBE on LinkedIn: #fundraiser #disability #disabilityawareness #challenge #thankyou (2024)

I don’t like sharing the challenges or obstacles I face, but there are times when it is necessary. Yesterday, I barely scratched the surface of the struggles I face behind the scenes.I did not mention such basic things such as someone scratching my head, turning the light on for a zoom call or helping me put my headphones on.I did not mention the never-ending backlog of messages where it takes me ages to respond due to long recovery times from pain and sickness.And then feeling terrible when it takes me forever to reply or get sidetracked and forget to follow up.I didn’t mention the disappointment I feel when I can't find assistance for events, like my upcoming challenge being pushed by roller skaters in my wheelchair from Brighton to Paris. Two weeks today, we should have completed our challenge where I will be turning right around and coming back home because my sister Rachel and friend Ross, who have kindly volunteered their time, have to get back to work. Meaning this once in a lifetime opportunity arriving as the Paralympic starts is cut short because of the lack of support I have.And there is so much more.But it's not all doom and gloom. One uplifting outcome from yesterday’s post is realising I am not alone. It was quite humbling and heartwarming to see so many parents and individuals with disabilities feeling comfortable enough to share their stories. Where some of you really opened up and shared your truth. My post provided a platform for others to speak up, which was overwhelmingly encouraging to see.Which doesn't make it right but collectively showing how important this is.I'm fortunate to have a voice within the community, while many do not have this platform or the confidence to speak up. The response was incredible and I want to say thank you. Some of you even offered to support me through fundraisers or donations, which feels a bit odd to me.So, if you’d like to support in this way, please consider donating to my challenge from Brighton to Paris: https://lnkd.in/eX3j-h6v. (and if someone is willing to come with me for an extra couple of days once I arrive, happy to see what can be done?)I also received a couple of leads. One potential opportunity is working with an all-party parliamentary group or an innovative inclusive enterprise to ensure others don’t face similar barriers. People also want me to speak on podcasts about this topic. I hope this is the start of a broader understanding and a shift in narratives.I will continue to be real for myself and the community.#Disability #Support #ThankYou #Challenges #DisabilityAwareness

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It's hard for me to admit this, but I have been struggling. I have been honoured with an MBE from King Charles, carried the Olympic torch for the 2012 Games and recently featured in a Channel 4 documentary. And this is only scratching the surface. But behind the scenes, it's a totally different story. All my life, I've relied on the kindness of friends and family for daily support. But, things are changing - my aging mum, can no longer provide the same level of care with her professional nurse background, my brother has his commitments and friends have their own lives to lead. This often leaves me in vulnerable situations. I cannot use the toilet by myself. Something many people take for granted.Regularly I experience uncomfortable waits (sometimes for hours) or avoid eating and drinking when I am out independently, which is especially unhealthy in the summer heat.Additionally, after 40 minutes in my chair, I experience pain.Out all day with all of this, can make functioning mentally not easy. You might see me smiling in photos and would imagine that I have everything in place.Reality is the opposite. ‘Why don't you get Access to Work or seek local council support?’Because of my achievements, there is a societal presumption that I have all the help. I am constantly unsuccessfully batting the conflicting administration of the application processes, to get the very basic things that I need in place to be able to work and live independently. The ongoing battle and lack of empathy makes the whole process so much harder and prevents me from reaching my full potential.This struggle isn't just about me. It's about everyone in similar situations who might not have the support or the voice to speak up. How are they managing? I'm speaking out because I can.I’m sharing my story showcasing that even I am struggling. I need the help and I need it now. I've often stayed silent as speaking up impacts me, and so does remaining quiet.Enough is enough. Today, I'm choosing to be real. #DisabilityAwareness #RealTalk #ChangeIsRequired

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"Were you not scared?" That's the question I get when people find out I did a skydive. And honestly? The scariest part wasn't jumping out of a plane at 14,000 feet... it was the journey to get there! After countless rejections and months of searching, I almost gave up. But then something incredible happened...This is the untold story of my skydiving adventure!https://lnkd.in/eaXEjDbF#Skydiving #DisabilityAwareness #Fundraiser #Challenge #Fun ID: A skydive instructor is jumping out of an airplane and would you look at that, Isaac is strapped to a tandem instructor, with the open door of the airplane behind them. Isaac is wearing all right and honestly, I don’t think that was coordinated in any way but there is a little variation as he also has white and red striped socks. The instructor is wearing a black jumpsuit and a black helmet. The airplane is painted with red, white, and blue stripes, and has the words “team fast” on the side. The word “skydiving.com” is written on the wing of the airplane. There are white fluffy clouds in the blue sky. And no that is not Isaac looking scared, he’s just enjoying himself.

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What an amazing Saturday! So great to be back skating on a weekend.It's been a long few months since I was last out in Battersea Park… yes that was all the way back in March, but it honestly felt like yesterday to finally be back on wheels in the beautiful park. Even better to have Ekow back with us - his energy is contagious! 😄In just two weeks time today we will be setting off for our Brighton to Paris challenge! And it's super exciting knowing that we now have Ekow who was confirmed to be a good fit which is awesome news. If you would like to learn more or support this crazy challenge then you can do so by clicking the link below!https://lnkd.in/eX3j-h6v#BrightonToParis #Wheelchair #RollerSkating #AdaptiveSports #Challenge

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The AI Tools That Gave Me Back My Time (and My Voice)From custom image descriptions to effortless meeting notes, these tools are game-changers.It's crazy to think that I have been using AI now for almost a year and how it has really enhanced my day-to-day activities online.And I want to share this with my network so in today's blog, I discuss the tools that I use on a regular basis (and no the first is not ChatGPT):💜 Google AI Studio: Discover how custom prompts have streamlined image and video descriptions for my projects, saving countless hours and improving content accessibility.💜 Sider.AI: Learn about this browser extension that blends AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Llama, assisting with tasks directly within the web browser.💜 Jamie: An innovative tool that transcribes and summarizes any audio played through a computer, transforming how I take meeting notes and handle professional engagements without traditional note-taking.These tools not only save time but also empower me as a disability advocate, allowing me to focus more on my passions rather than logistical challenges.For a deeper dive into how these AI tools can enhance your own productivity and perhaps even give you back your voice, check out the full article here.https://lnkd.in/eRwGfqbD#AIForAccessibility #ProductivityTools #TechForGood #InclusiveTechnology #AIInnovationID: Three young and very cool looking guys are posing for the camera, outside a shop front on a cobbled street. Leo, on the left, and Benedikt, on the right, are both white and wearing black ‘Jamie’ hoodies, jeans and trainers, with big smiles on their faces. Isaac, in the middle, is sat in his wheelchair, which is bright green with black wheels. He's wearing a grey t-shirt, blue jeans, and some cool socks - a pair of orange and blue with dark stars on them. He has a huge smile on his face as this was a really cool meeting!

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Another great skate last night! Being pushed in my wheelchair at high speeds will never get old! Huge shout out to Sofia for being an absolute powerhouse and pushing me all the way to Putney and back with support from Kevin who gave a lot of moral support and laughs along the way! 😄Feeling inspired and more ready than ever to smash our Brighton to Paris challenge in August with Wheels and Wheelchairs! The whole team is working so hard to make it a memorable experience.If you'd like to support us in this challenge, check out the link:https://lnkd.in/eX3j-h6vA small donation can make a big difference! #Disability #DisabilityAwareness #Wheelchair #Fundraiser

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Honoured to have shared the stage with the incredible Dr. Muhayman Jamil MBE at the Heart of the Nation exhibition. This exhibition was shining a light on the stories and experiences of people who have come to Britain to work in the NHS over the past 75 years. Muhayman who is the founder of Wheels and Wheelchairs shared part of his story from arriving in the UK from Iraq to becoming a leading doctor is a testament to the power of dedication and the impact one person can make.I was personally invited by him to speakabout what we do and mention our challenge that we are embarking on. Our Brighton to Paris skate challenge in August! Every opportunity and push takes us closer to a more inclusive world, and we can't wait to make memories as we do this journey.For more information and how you can support us in doing this then you can do so by clicking the link here:https://lnkd.in/eX3j-h6vThank you to everyone who listened to what we had to say and to the Migration Museum, Heart of the Nation for giving us this platform. #PublicSpeaking #Disability #DisabilityAwareness #NHS #ChallengeID: A heart-warming picture, we see a joyful Isaac, a black man with a beaming smile, seated comfortably in his wheelchair. Isaac is smartly dressed in a white shirt and a tie, with a black bag strapped around his shoulders. Leaning in closely, with one hand resting caringly on the back of Isaac’s wheelchair, stands Muhayman with short brown hair. He sports a grey T-shirt with a faded bicycle print and holds a glass of wine.

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This is what it looks like when we are wheelchair roller skating through the city at night!?This was a video I captured a couple of months ago on a Friday night where you can just have a small glance into the exhilarating feeling I get whenever I go skating!It's an experience like no other…And it is only a portion of what it's going to look like when we skate from Brighton to Paris in less than 20 days! You can still support this crazy challenge by donating here!https://lnkd.in/eX3j-h6v#Disability #DisabilityAwareness #Wheelchair #Fun

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My Unexpected Journey into The Fashion IndustryNever in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be involved in the world of fashion. Growing up, clothes were just something my mum made fit me.But a single message on LinkedIn changed everything.Here is my story getting into this crazy world and some key takeaways that I've got from being part of this industry.https://lnkd.in/eXdMnZUN#Disability #DisabilityAwareness #FashionIndustry #RepresentationMatters #ClothingID: Two Black men dressed in colourful outfits stand in a grand room. The man standing is wearing a green velvet suit and hat with a bone necklace. The other, Isaac, is sitting in his electric wheelchair and is wearing a purple and blue snakeskin patterned silk scarf and bright pink sunglasses. He has a white tote bag hanging off the left armrest of his chair. The man in the green suit has his left hand holding a wooden cane.

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