What has been your journey of disability?
My name is Annabelle, I live in Buckinghamshire with my husband.
I fell ill in 2007 with a rare illness called neuro myelitis optica that left me severely visually impaired and paralysed from T4 /T5, and I am a full-time manual wheelchair user. i went from being a fit, active 25 year old, to feeling like there was no hope and no future. When I left hospital I was 18 stone (114kgs) and struggling with emotions, my health, my weight and learning who I now was with my new normal of visual impairment, and paralysis. Since leaving hospital I have worked hard on my healing journey, ensuring I tried everything that would provide me with the tools and the resources to create a different healthier life for my self in my new way of living.
Was there something that challenged you the most in your recovery?
I feel that my eyesight challenged me the most during my recovery , is it really has limited my independence and I can only leave the house assisted by others, if I had my eyesight, I would be able to drive and have more independence outside of my home.
How did you manage your recovery with a dual diagnosis?
I managed my recovery by focusing on the good things in my life , finding tools that help me day-to-day such as meditation, journal, exercise. I find it’s important to keep me strong and healthy and mind body and soul. I have also reconnected with things I love doing, exercise, cooking, Qihong, Meditation, starting up my social media posts & sharing my story, it is like therapy, these have brought me joy & fulfilment, reigniting a sense of self.
This approach led me to find my own way to manage my disability and well being, and I am on a journey to help others. I am now a certified Coach, Meditation Practitioners & Reiki Therapist and have my own Be Well with Annabelle face book page share so that I can share with others a path to their own health & wellness.
Is there such a thing as an Neuro Mylitis Optica (NMO) community?
Yes, there is an NMO community. They are mainly based on Facebook. And we all support one another with our stories. Giving each other advice if we need it. And helping each other day-to-day stay strong.
What is one thing, experience or person you have had that completely changed your life?
When I obtained a pressure so that put me in hospital, this really made a big difference to my life, supported me in focusing more on myself, looking after myself, going inwards to support me and my recovery, rather than trying to speed ahead in life and go 1,000,000 miles an hour, it taught me to slow down and give myself time
“rather than trying to speed ahead in life and go 1,000,000 miles an hour, it taught me to slow down and give myself time“
Is there a single piece (or more!) of technology that makes your life easier? Why?
I love my iPhone, it keeps me in communication with others when I’m in my house for days at a time, I can play my music and meditations on it, I can write my notes or dictate voice notes to it, I have it on accessibility settings so I can make the font and screen and smaller so that I can see it properly. It is a lifesaver.
What would you want to share with others who may be unsure of having a go at something new and outside their comfort zone?
I am always happy to share my story and experiences with others so that they can see that living life with disabilities doesn’t mean life has to stop. It’s just about finding new ways in doing things and creating a beautiful life filled with adventure.
“living life with disabilities doesn’t mean life has to stop. It’s just about finding new ways in doing things and creating a beautiful life filled with adventure.”
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
The advice I would give to my 18-year-old self would be to embrace every moment, stay present and believe that anything is possible, she will overcome anything thrown her way because she is strong
Is there something that you would like people to know about you or about people with disability that they might not know?
I think when people have a disability, it is nice that others see them and not the disability, as we are not a disability we are just normally human beings trying to live life the best we can.
“love the skin you are in because you are beautiful, you are not your disability, your disability is not you, you’re so much more than that…”
Best advice that you would like to share with other women with disabilities?
The best advice I can give other women with disabilities don’t give up on yourself, love the skin you are in because you are beautiful, you are not your disability, your disability is not you, you’re so much more than that and having a disability makes you so much stronger than you realise in so many ways
Do you have a way for people to connect or follow you
People can find me on Insta – AnnabelleMoult or annabellemoulttravels or on Facebook Annabelle Moult
Or Be Well with Annabelle Website https://annabellemoult.com
