
Angharad Wightwick is a 22 year-old learning support assistant in a secondary school based in North London. Angharad talks to us about her experiences with education, work, and society’s perceptions of CP.
Early Life: Facing Challenges Head-On
“I wasn’t meeting the regular milestones for walking,” Angharad recalls about her early diagnosis. Her CP, specifically spastic diplegia, primarily affects her gait and balance, causing her to walk slower than her peers. “The main thing CP does for me is it causes me to walk slower than normal, so I can’t keep up with people walking at a standard pace. It also reduces my balance.”
Childhood was marked by frequent medical appointments, various treatments, and the emotional toll of feeling different. “At school, it wasn’t really a positive influence. It made me feel different, and in primary school, people would exclude me because I had to wear AFOs [ankle-foot orthoses].”
Despite these struggles, Angharad embraced opportunities to build her strength and confidence. As a teenager, she competed in international para swimming, which she says made her “fitter, more able, more muscular.” However, balancing academics and a rigorous training schedule eventually led her to step back from the sport to focus on her education.
Thriving in Higher Education
Angharad pursued her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Warwick University, followed by a master’s in Applied Clinical Psychology at Bath. University life brought its own set of challenges but also opportunities for independence. “My journey through undergrad and masters was easier academically than secondary school,” she shares. “At university, it was much smoother to get academic adjustments.”
She highlights the support she received, such as rest breaks during exams, extra time, and accessible accommodations. “In the first year, I had a slightly adjusted room on the ground floor. In later years, I lived out in the city with friends.”
However, Angharad feels more could be done to foster understanding and inclusion. “I thought people would have a better understanding of how to treat people with disabilities as they got older, but that wasn’t the case. People are still hesitant to ask questions or make friends with someone they see as different.”
Navigating the Workforce
Currently working as a learning support assistant in a secondary school, Angharad supports students with special educational needs. Entering the workforce wasn’t easy. “I didn’t find the job search particularly easy because a lot of entry-level jobs in my field involve physical tasks or require a driving license – things I can’t do because of my CP.”
She recalls feeling disheartened when job descriptions included just one requirement she couldn’t meet. “It was so annoying because I’d think, if I didn’t have CP, this wouldn’t be an issue.” Despite these challenges, Angharad found an understanding employer. “In my current role, they adjusted my responsibilities so I only support students in academic classes, avoiding tasks that require physical assistance.”
Closing the Gap in Adult CP Support
As Angharad reflects on her journey, she identifies a significant gap in support for adults with CP. “There’s a huge gap between what’s provided for children with CP and what’s available for adults. I’m not saying it’s easy for children – far from it. However for adults, it’s different. Nobody prepares you for things like finding work, living independently, or managing long-term health as your body changes.”
Angharad believes societal attitudes toward disability need to shift. “You hardly ever see disabled people in the workforce or out in the community. Companies aren’t prepared for disabled employees because they’re not used to having them.”
She also points to a lack of resources for adults with CP. “When my mum and I were looking for information about how people with CP can get into the workforce, the only useful resource we found was on the UP website. There’s a huge gap in support once you’re an adult.”
Looking Ahead
Angharad dreams of becoming a clinical psychologist and is working toward gaining the necessary experience. “It’s very competitive, but I’m working towards it,” she says.
If she could offer advice to her younger self, it would be simple yet profound: “It gets better.”