Journey as Your “Inspirational Leader of the Year”
On the 18th of October, I stood on a stage at the LGBTQ+ Flowers Awards and accepted an honor that still feels a bit surreal: Inspirational Leader of the Year. As the Founder and Director of Wirral Pride, my work has never been about seeking the spotlight. It’s been about building a stage where everyone in our community can shine. However, receiving this award was a powerful moment of reflection for me—a chance to look back at how far we’ve come and acknowledge the personal hurdles I’ve had to clear to get here. Leading Through the Quiet Battles This recognition feels particularly poignant because my journey hasn’t always been easy. Like many in our community, I live with disabilities and health conditions that can make daily life a significant challenge. There are days when the simplest tasks feel like climbing a mountain, and the energy required to lead an organization can feel out of reach. But I have learned that my health doesn’t define my capacity to lead; it informs it. I’ve had to learn how to navigate the world differently, to pace myself, and to lead with a unique kind of resilience. Winning this award was a validation that our limitations do not dictate our impact. I do what I do with Wirral Pride not in spite of my health, but by learning to live alongside it—bringing that lived experience of struggle and perseverance into everything we build. Building Accessibility Through Lived Experience My own journey has been the greatest catalyst for making Wirral Pride more accessible. I have personally felt the frustration of attending events that weren’t designed with me in mind—where physical barriers, sensory overload, or lack of consideration for invisible disabilities made it impossible to fully participate. I decided that our events would be different. Because I know the exhaustion and the anxiety of wondering, “Will I be able to access this?”, I have made accessibility a core pillar of our planning more than just a title. When I first started Wirral Pride, I wanted our borough to be a place where “belonging” was a lived reality. Leading this organization has been the greatest privilege of my life, but it has also been my greatest teacher in patience and strength. Being named “Inspirational Leader” represents: Resilience: Proving that leadership is possible even when your body or mind is fighting a different battle. The Power of Community: Knowing that when I am at my weakest, the strength of the Wirral Pride family carries the vision forward. The Progress: Turning the Wirral into a beacon of inclusivity for all identities, including those of us living with disabilities. “This award doesn’t belong on my shelf; it belongs to anyone who has ever had to fight their own body or mind just to show up for their community. We are stronger than we think.” What’s Next? While last October was a milestone I will never forget, it was also a “recharging of the batteries.” This recognition has only deepened my resolve to keep pushing boundaries. We have so much more to achieve—more lives to touch, more barriers to break, and more joy to create. I am incredibly proud of what we’ve built at Wirral Pride. Thank you to the LGBTQ+ Flowers Awards for seeing the heart behind the work, and thank you to the Wirral for trusting me to lead. We’re just getting started. In sharing more about my personal journey with my health, I’m curious—do you think highlighting the intersection of disability and LGBTQ+ identity is something we should focus on more in our upcoming events |
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