International Women's Day: Celebrating Incredible Disabled Women Changing Lives
The disabled community is filled with tenacity, brilliance, creativity and compassion and we are proud to spotlight just a few of the incredible women who are changing the narrative around disability through leadership, advocacy, innovation and sheer resilience with us firmly by their side.
Victoria Jenkins wearing Black Glitter Cool Crutches on The Great British Sewing Bee
Victoria Jenkins, Founder of Unhidden
Victoria Jenkins didn’t just adapt to life’s curveballs, she transformed them into a purpose driven mission. After surviving a life-threatening health crisis, Victoria’s world changed overnight. What followed was not only a deep personal reckoning with disability but the birth of Unhidden, a fashion brand dedicated to adaptive clothing and inclusive design.
With roots in fashion and experience working with major brands, Victoria saw first-hand how inaccessible clothing could make everyday life harder. Fuelled by her own journey and the stories of people she met in hospital beds and online communities, she created a space where adaptive design is celebrated and everyday fashion becomes empowering for everyone.
Victoria’s work reminds us that visibility and dignity are not optional, they’re essential. Her story and work continues to inspire women across the disability community to feel seen, stylish and strong.
Dr Liz Murray alongside Amelia Peckham, Nirusha Vigi, SJ Phillips and Gabriella Pearson at the launch of Scars of Gold all wearing Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks
Dr Liz Murray, Championing Chronic Illness and Women’s Health
Dr Liz Murray’s story is one of perseverance and advocacy in the face of chronic health challenges. Through her work, she has become a powerful voice in women’s health, sharing both personal insight and expert guidance on navigating life with long-term conditions.
Dr Liz uses her platform to break down stigma, offer practical strategies for wellbeing, and support others who are juggling the often invisible weight of chronic illness. She encourages women everywhere to prioritise their health, to seek community, and to redefine what strength looks like on their own terms.
Her work underscores a crucial truth: there is no one “right” way to live with a long-term health condition, only the ways that work for each individual.
Susan Levy Wearing Design Your Own Skulls Walking Stick
Susan Levy - A Story of Survival, Resilience & Reinvention
Twenty years after surviving the traumatic events of 7/7, Susan’s journey embodies resilience in the most profound way. Losing a limb was a life-altering physical challenge but it was also the beginning of a new chapter defined by courage, reinvention and purpose.
Susan’s story is not just about survival, it’s about thriving in the face of adversity. She’s navigated loss, recovery and life-long adaptation with a grace that inspires everyone around her. Her experience continues to resonate as a testament to the strength that comes from embracing change, finding new paths forward, and lifting others up along the way.
Amelia Peckham wearing Diamanté Silver Cool Crutches
Amelia Peckham, Founder of Cool Crutches
And then there’s Amelia Peckham our Co-Founder and CEO of Cool Crutches, a brand that has reimagined mobility aids through comfort, style and self-expression. Amelia’s journey began at age 19 when a quad bike accident left her with a spinal injury and permanently reliant on crutches. What she encountered next - uncomfortable, clinical walking aids - sparked a vision that would uplift thousands.
Not only did Amelia design a better solution, but she also built a movement. Cool Crutches has grown into an award-winning business and a vibrant community of over 150,000 people living with long-term conditions and disabilities.
Her mission? To restore dignity, confidence and choice to people who use mobility aids and, in doing so, challenge societal assumptions about disability and visibility. From being recognised in the Disability Power 100 list to fostering a global supportive community, Amelia continues to elevate voices and break barriers in the disability space.
Each of these women has navigated challenges most people never imagine and turned them into catalysts for change. They remind us that disability isn’t a limitation on potential, it’s a different form of strength, insight, and influence.
Here’s to women who rise, redefine and inspire.
Here’s to visibility, courage and community.
Enjoyed this article? Why not read these women's full stories:
Amelia Peckham: 20 Years On From Spinal Injury
