A Rocky Start

In my twenties, life threw me some unexpected challenges. One day, while sitting at my kitchen table, I experienced sudden muscle paralysis. When I sought medical help, the doctors dismissed my symptoms, suggesting I simply “drink more water.” This marked the beginning of years filled with pain and uncertainty as I navigated a largely dismissive healthcare system. It took considerable time and persistence to eventually secure a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). My journey was long, frustrating, and fraught with trial, error, and medical dismissiveness.

Redefining Disability

As I confronted my new reality, I had to accept my disability for the first time. The narratives I had grown up with painted bleak pictures of disability. Disabled people were often depicted as objects of pity, inspiration porn, or outright villains. I struggled to reconcile these portrayals with my self-perception and plans for the future. It was a dark and confusing period for me.

However, over the years of adapting to new symptoms and changes in my body, I started to realise that the stories I’d been told about disability were misleading and based on fear. Disability, I discovered, could be a direct source of happiness, not the antithesis of it. This insight became the foundation of my work: the concept of ‘Disabled Joy’. It’s a simple yet powerful idea that insists joy can stem from one’s disability, not despite it.

Embracing Disabled Joy

My advocacy journey began on Instagram, where I shared snippets of my daily life. As a black, queer, disabled person, I aimed to share my intersectional experiences with a broader audience. My platform grew, and it evolved into a stage for performance. I combined cabaret, pole dance, and music, leading to amazing opportunities, including performing with Disabilitease at the Burlesque International Hall of Fame. Through these performances, I explored the complexities of disabled joy and intersectionality with hundreds of people.

Photo of Georgia in a dynamic pose with one hand pressed against the floor and a leg in the air. Georgia wears a top that says ‘gay gay gay’ and black knee high socks. There is a brick wall in the background.

Founding Well Adapt

When the pandemic hit, the world felt darker and more troubled than ever. The art and performance I was doing on the side didn’t feel like enough. Working in education tech, I felt a strong desire to do something more impactful for my disabled community. This led to the founding of Well Adapt, a social enterprise dedicated to supporting disabled people who feel neglected by the healthcare system. Well Adapt provides mentorship, community support, and courses designed to build emotional resilience in the face of chronic illness.

Over the last two years, I’ve worked tirelessly to refine how Well Adapt can best serve the community. We’ve had our share of successes and failures. Our courses have earned recognition from therapists across the UK, US, and Canada, and Well Adapt has received accolades like the Young Innovators Award 22/23. Balancing the provision of meaningful support with financial sustainability has been a challenge, but I’ve learned a lot along the way and am committed to the ongoing journey of entrepreneurship.

Continuing Advocacy

Beyond Well Adapt, my advocacy continues through talks and events. I’ve shared my ideas with audiences at venues such as the Soho Theatre and the London School of Economics, addressing critical issues like disability and sexual assault, medical gaslighting, and the need for a permanent disabilities minister. I have been fortunate to bring some of these issues into the media, and I hope to continue raising awareness.

Photo of Georgia speaking on a panel on Neuro-diversity and Mental Health at The WOW Foundation festival in Rotherham. Discussing such important topics with the amazing host, Neath Champion-Shorr and fellow panellists Jennifer Booth and Vicky Morris. Photo taken from Linkedin 

Looking Forward

Everything I do centres around disabled joy. At the end of the day, I will keep striving to foster this joy within the community, and I am excited to see where this journey takes me next.

To find out more about Well Adapt, please visit their website