Profile: Living with cerebral palsy hasn't stopped Robert Wallace 'making a difference'

Volunteer worker, Robert Wallace, 29 years of age, is a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy and a visual impairment, but he doesn’t let that stop him making a difference.

Through care provider and campaign group Leonard Cheshire Disability, Mr Wallace has been able to find work as a website content manager at a local school, thanks to which he has been able to make an impact on the lives of other individuals with a disability.

Describing how working with the care group has enabled him to feel empowered, Mr Wallace says: “I used to worry about physical barriers and problems with access, etc., but since volunteering with Leonard Cheshire Disability, they have helped me get in touch with other people with disabilities and it has changed the way I think and feel about things and I do not worry about these problems now.”

He continues: “My friend Craig introduced me to the Can Do project about four years ago, at that time Can Do were thinking about doing an independent website, I’m a website designer and wanted to help. Unfortunately, we didn’t do that project, but I am very happy to say that I have been involved in numerous projects with Can Do since then.

“Sometime ago, I did a disability audit at Westminster City School and I loved it – I felt like I was really making a difference and the staff at the school were really interested in my comments.

“I have done numerous things with Can Do Volunteering. Another task was to be a member of the steering group organising a conference with the British Council regarding their European Voluntary Service (EVS) a project to help young people volunteer abroad. The conference was to encourage disabled people to take part in EVS – sixty people attended with half the delegates coming from around Europe. It was brilliant; I felt part of a very successful conference. Since then three Can Do volunteers have been abroad.

“Another good project I did was to make a film about employment with five other young people with disabilities. The film highlighted the problems we faced, we all had a very positive attitude and I learnt interview and camera skills.

“One of my highlights has been being a member of the Can Do Manager interview panel. I didn’t really expect the other members of the panel to listen to my views, but it was a real honour, they valued my opinion and I feel I have really helped Can Do.

“At present, I am making a film about transport and access problems – this is one of the hardest things I have had to do, to organise interviews, etc., you soon realise when things aren’t done for you, but although it’s hard work I love it and I know Can Do will help me if I want help.

“Recently I took part in campaigning and joined the Hardest Hit March in London to voice my concerns about benefit cuts. This will affect me a lot because if my disability living allowance is cut I will not be able to visit my girlfriend Heidi who lives in Harrogate and I shall be heartbroken! I met my girlfriend Heidi through Can Do – we are both Can Do volunteers and are engaged now. Chris (my contact at Can Do) has just said the relationship is flourishing, which it certainly is!”