It’s almost 5 years since the release of my BBC doc, talking about living with NF. Adam was one of the people I met during this time as we both have the same condition, but it impacts us in different ways. It was a great catch up, and also gave me a chance to reflect on how I was then to now. I used to hate looking at my body when I got dressed and in the mirror, all the marks, scars and lumps is purely what my vision focused on. As for where I am now, I’d be lying if I said I was 100% because there’s often bad days, but I can feel myself come further and happier. I’ve realised acceptance is one thing, but overcoming is a whole other. I’m still on the overcoming journey. Disability in so called “diversity” initiatives is extremely overlooked. It can be visible and non-visible, yet often the campaigns we do see are not as representative as you think they are. Most of these campaigns are still being made by non-disabled people on assumption based initiatives, without researching or asking voices of the community. Disability isn’t one thing, nor does it have one look. It’s beyond that. You won’t see the physical ways NF has impacted by body because I can cover that with my clothing. It’s not something i’ll show either - it’s a personal choice. I encourage organisations to understand community, faith, culture and how that plays a part. I remember after my doc was released, I had a messaged to be in a swimwear campaign in where the clothes were really fitted and revealing - I refused as I didn’t want to expose that much of my body and found this conflicting to my Muslim faith, but they didn’t understand and responded “but I thought you were positive in your body” - I didn’t respond back. As a Muslim woman trying to navigate on representation and inclusion, I’ve also heard “you don’t look disabled” way too often, it’s as if they’re doubting or I should be taking it as a compliment. it’s important to keep an open mind, it’s important to reframe your language. Do the research, ask the questions, get the voices behind the scenes, and please understand the sensitivity. It goes a long way ✨🫶🏽