Recently Fiona Jarvis was featured in a local magazine called Living in Kew. She wrote a piece describing a day in her life and what exactly Blue Badge Style is. Unfortunately, due to a relatively limited distribution, many people (including Fiona!) missed the magazine. So we thought we’d reproduce it here.

If you’re unfamiliar with what the Blue Badge Style website is, this is a great way of finding out what we’re all about. If you are more of a regular on BBS, it’s still an interesting read too: 

For 25 years I’ve had MS and during that time I’ve been determined not to compromise on my way of life. I used to be a Software Sales Executive in the City but in 2007 I had to give up as I found it more and more difficult to get around London walking with sticks and latterly in a wheelchair.

As a result I had an idea for a business I could run from home. A website that informs people for whom “style and disability are not mutually exclusive”. I’ve always liked to go out to nice restaurants, wear good clothes and generally have a good time. This hasn’t changed even though my mobility has; in fact it’s become more important as it’s something I can control.

So I created a website, Blue Badge Style, “Guide For The Discerning Less Able”. Following the Paralympics and the launch of our Mobile App, it has gained momentum and every day is different. For example, the other week I went to Cambridge and formally opening a disabled toilet – re-affirming the fact that I’ll go to the opening of anything.

Fiona Jarvis
Fiona Jarvis

My flat overlooks the river at Kew and this is what I wake up to. I’m at my desk by 9.30 a.m. writing, researching or looking at the website stats. We’re trying to get a readership of 1m from the 19% of the UK population that’s disabled. A highlight of the day is when someone comments that they’ve found the site useful. This gives me more of a ‘kick’ than anything I encountered in my previous life in sales.

At least once a week I like to try a new venue so I can personally give them a BBS Rating based on style, accessibility and disabled facilities. Most of the time I get around using Black Cabs and I have collected two trusted drivers, Mick and Tim – the best form of transport if you’re disabled.

Twice a week my personal trainer, Paul, visits to get me moving. It’s amazing but I exercise more now than when I was able bodied.

They all form part of my support network that includes family, friends and carers who visit and create a diversion; otherwise I’m likely to work through lunch.

My day usually ends with drinks and nibbles watching the river again.  My life is not as I’d expected but it’s no less interesting or enjoyable.

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