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Anjela

@accessible_angel

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💚 Disabled Influencer / Raising Awareness / Advocate
🤍 Living With Cerebral Palsy, IBS, Nerve Pain & Fibromyalgia
💛 Sensitive Skin / 50+

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Sometimes life teaches us lessons we never expected to learn.

Since losing Mum, grief has made me look at life and relationships differently. Loss has a way of quietly showing you who is present, who checks in, who thinks of you, and who stands beside you when life becomes difficult.

For me, reciprocity isn’t about keeping score or expecting something in return. It’s about the little things — being thought of, being considered, and knowing someone cared enough to simply ask.

Living with a disability means I may not always be able to physically show up in the way I once could. But I’ve learnt that showing up isn’t only about being physically present. It’s checking in, offering support, listening, caring and letting someone know, “I’m here if you need me.”

Those are things I will always try to give, because that’s how I was raised and that’s who I am.

Grief has changed many things in me, but it hasn’t changed my heart. It’s simply taught me to appreciate those who genuinely show up, and to understand that sometimes the smallest gestures really do mean the most. 🤍

#Reciprocity #Grief #DisabilityAwareness #KindnessMatters #Compassion LifeLessons taken in West Yorkshire by @accessible_angel

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a month ago

People see the way I walk… but they don’t see the war happening inside my mind.

Living with a disability slowly changes you in ways people will never fully understand unless they live it themselves.

It’s waking up every day wondering what part of your body will feel weaker next. It’s the fear when your balance changes. When your muscles stop supporting you properly. When your body no longer feels safe to live in.

It’s smiling in front of people while silently grieving the life you once had.

Grieving freedom.
Independence.
Confidence.

The version of yourself that didn’t have to think about every single movement.

People talk about physical pain… but not enough people talk about the mental health side of disability.

The isolation.
The anxiety.
The overthinking.
The panic about the future.
The emotional exhaustion of constantly trying to cope.

The nights spent lying awake scared about what tomorrow might bring.The heartbreak of feeling like your own body is slowly betraying you.

Mental health struggles within the disabled community are real — but so many of us suffer quietly because we’re too afraid of being judged, misunderstood, or seen as “negative.”

And the hardest part?
Still trying to appear “strong” so the world feels comfortable around you.

Disability doesn’t only affect your body. It affects your identity.
Your confidence.
Your relationships.
Your self-worth.
Your mental health.

Some days I fight to stay positive.Some days I break quietly behind closed doors.

But I’m sharing this because mental health awareness matters. Disabled people shouldn’t have to suffer emotionally in silence just because our struggles make others uncomfortable to hear about.

Behind many disabilities are invisible battles people never see. And this is the reality many of us live every single day.

Love Anjela 🤍

Mental Health Awareness Week 11-17 May 2026

#MentalHealthAwareness
#MentalHealthMatters
#cerebralpalsymatters
#indiandisabilityvoices
#disabledpeoplementalhealth by @accessible_angel

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5 months ago

People see the outside of disability.
The limp. The wheelchair. The pain.

But they don’t see what it feels like living inside this body every single day.

They don’t see how exhausting it is having to think about every step, every journey, every chair, every staircase, every outing, every moment.

They don’t see the grief of slowly losing parts of yourself while the world carries on as normal around you.

They don’t see how hard it is constantly adapting just to survive daily life.

As an Indian woman, disability can feel even more isolating.

In our communities, disability is often misunderstood, hidden away, or treated like something uncomfortable to talk about. Sometimes people see us with sympathy. Sometimes they pretend not to see us at all.

What people don’t understand is that many disabled people are fighting silent battles every single day:
• fighting pain
• fighting exhaustion
• fighting loneliness
• fighting to stay independent
• fighting to still feel worthy

There are days I smile while silently struggling.
Days I stay home because my body cannot cope.
Days I feel invisible in a world that was not built for people like me.

And yet… we keep going.

So this post is for anyone living with a disability who feels unseen, unheard, or misunderstood.

Your struggles are real.
Your feelings are valid.
And your life still has value, purpose, and strength.

Please be kinder.
Please be more understanding.
Because you never truly know the battles someone is hiding behind their smile. 💗

#DisabilityAwareness
#AsianAndDisabled
#BritishAsian
#indianvoicesmatter
#disabilityyoudontsee by @accessible_angel

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5 months ago

How disability can make you feel invisible in your own culture

Sometimes the hardest part of disability is not just the physical struggle… it’s the feeling of becoming invisible.

Invisible in family gatherings.
Invisible in cultural traditions.
Invisible in conversations, celebrations, and even moments of grief.

As a British Asian disabled woman, there are times I’ve felt like the world keeps moving while I’m left watching from the sidelines. Not because people don’t care, but because accessibility and understanding are still missing in so many parts of our communities.

Disability can isolate you quietly.
It can stop you attending important family moments.
It can make you feel guilty for putting your health first.
And sometimes it can feel lonely trying to explain pain, exhaustion, or limitations to people who have never experienced them.

But disabled people should not have to disappear to be accepted.

We deserve inclusion.
We deserve accessibility.
We deserve to be seen, heard, and valued within our own cultures and communities.

I’m sharing this because I know there are others silently feeling the same way.

You are not invisible

#InvisibleDisability
#InclusionMatters
#DisabledWomen
#AccessibilityAwareness
#SouthAsianVoices by @accessible_angel

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5 months ago

Today, I had to make one of the hardest choices between family and my health.

My family scattered my father-in-law’s ashes today… and I couldn’t be there.

Not because I didn’t want to be, but because the location wasn’t accessible for my disability. I couldn’t safely get there by wheelchair or on foot without risking my health.

While my family were together grieving, praying and saying goodbye, I was sitting at home alone, carrying that grief from a distance. That loneliness is something many disabled people quietly live with when places and spaces aren’t accessible.

Sometimes disability means missing the moments that matter most, and that heartbreak is hard to explain.

People don’t always see the grief that comes with disability… sometimes it means loving and mourning from a distance.

“Come on Dad, your final journey has arrived and it’s time for us to let you go.”

Until we meet again Dad, love you 🙏🏽

Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds

#lifelongdisabilities
#indiananddisabled
#accessibilitymatters
#parksandrecreation
#accessibilityawareness by @accessible_angel

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5 months ago

Hello Angels 🩷

It’s been a while since I’ve posted. It’s really challenging living with chronic illnesses alongside a life long disability which is declining with age. It’s really hard to stay positive when all I can feel is pain and seeing my body change posture in a way that doesn’t look normal. I will post more about this in a future post in March as March is the month that represents Cerebral Palsy.

In todays post I wanted to share a fact of life that most women have to deal with when they reach 40, peri-menopause and menopause. It’s so important that we talk about these problems as I know there are so many women out there who have questions to ask but feel too embarrassed or ashamed to talk about.

For each one of us, at this stage will experience menopause/peri-menopause in different ways. So what I go through on a daily basis may not be something that you experience too. But it’s so important to share and talk about Menopause, Peri-Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy!

So ladies, please share your experiences in my comments below. By speaking up about this natural part of a woman’s life can be helpful—and even empowering.

Lv Anjela ❤️

#empoweringwomenmenopausesupport #menopausesupportuk #menopausesupportgroups #femalelife #periodsmenopause #speakupformentalhealth #tampons #perimenopausalwoman @tampax_uk_ire taken in West Yorkshire by @accessible_angel

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2 years ago

Hi Angels,

Let me introduce you to @lorealparis
Revitalift Laser Tri-Peptides Age-Correcting Serum contains the power of 3 serums in 1 for visible results on key ageing signs. Formulated with Argireline Peptide™ Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin C, and validated by dermatologists.

Living with a disability and several chronic illnesses means I have to take extra care of my skin and body. Living on medication means putting my body through stress with all the side affects of the meds. Because of this I’m always on the look out for products I can incorporate into my daily skincare routine. When ever I am out and about I’m always being asked about my skincare routine, the products I use and how good my skin looks.

I have to say I’m becoming a fan of @lorealparis products. This serum is very easy to use, lightweight and absorbs flawlessly into the skin. It’s doesn’t feel sticky like some serums do. It works wonders on those fine lines and wrinkles and the appearance is visibly reduced within 2 weeks. The great thing about this serum is it keeps my skin hydrated with a healthy glow.

As we move from the old to the new why not step up and incorporate the Revitalift Laser serum as the new IT girl skincare routine for 2025.

Love Anjela ❤️

@lorealparis in partnership with @resultswithrosalind
#laserserum #skincare #newroutine #agecorrectingserum taken in West Yorkshire by @accessible_angel

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2 years ago

Hi Angels,

Its been a hard couple of months for me recently and it’s why I’ve not been active on Instagram. It’s taken me a lot of courage to come on here today and speak about my long term condition.

I was diagnosed with nerve pain in 2019, following a small injury to my foot using a foot massager. Since then it’s been one hurdle after another with my health.

I’m loosing my mobility right infront of my eyes, and what hurts the most is that I can’t help myself or do anything. I’ve had several tests and all have come back negative. So, no diagnoses equals no treatment. I’m being labelled with Cerebral Palsy, but I know it’s not.

Never in my life did I think that a small injury to my foot would leave me dependant and in a wheelchair.

I’m grieving a life a once had, I’m dependant and stuck at home. I can’t do the things I used to do over a month ago. I live in fear every day, and wake up with anxiety. I have to take each day as it comes.

Depression plays a big part in my life and trust me it’s a very dark hole and suppresses me of my emotions.

It’s so easy to say “you can change things,” “it’s all in your head”, “be positive” but it’s not easy?

I’m in a dark place right now and I don’t know how I’m going to come out of this. I’m finding it hard to live in a world that’s not made for disabled/wheelchair users. I’m not in the right mindset at the moment where I am strong enough to accept the changes. Living with chronic illnesses is a challenge but living with chronic illnesses and a life long disability is a battle I face every day and feel defeated. I’m grieving a life I once had. I miss driving, working, doing the things I love to do. But I am becoming a pro at faking a smiles and “saying I’m fine,” we learn to become good actors!

Love Anjela ❤️

#fakingsmiles #chronicillnessess #lifelongdisabilities #cerebralpaslylife #feelingdefeatedinlife #wheelchairusersuk #under7kfollowers #indiananddisabled #disabledinfluencers taken in West Yorkshire by @accessible_angel

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2 years ago

From my family to yours, Happy Diwali 🙏🏽🪔

#happydiwali🎉 taken in West Yorkshire by @accessible_angel

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2 years ago

On Thursday, I spent the whole afternoon in hospital having a treatment I’ve been waiting for nearly 20 months. It’s called lignocaine infusion and used in patients with nerve pain.

The medication was drip fed through my hand. It took 2 and half hours for the whole procedure. My heart rate was continuously monitored and my pressure was checked every 5 minutes for the first 15 minutes and then every 15 minutes there after until the fusion ended. A nurse sat in the room with me and monitored me throughout the whole procedure.

The treatment will give me some relief for a few months, but not full relief.

This is the side you don’t see, the constant visits to the hospital, being hooked up to machines for hours, feeling uncomfortable with needles and stickers on my body.

This is my life living with chronic illnesses and a life long disability.

Lv Anjela ❤️

#lifelongdisabilities #chronicillnessjourney
#lignocaineinfusion
#hospitaltreatments
#lifewithchronicillnesssucks
#painwarrier taken in West Yorkshire by @accessible_angel

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2 years ago

Supplements. Okay so we’ve all heard of a certain supplement whether it’s vitamins B, D or even E. But do you know the benefits of taking Turmeric and Pepper, Ginger and Safe Leaf?

Thank you @etanics for gifting me these supplements. As someone living with a life long disability as well as several chronic illnesses, it’s so important for me to fuel my body with the right nutrients it requires.all

Turmeric and Pepper
BENEFITS – Turmeric contributes to joint health, supports digestion, maintains liver health, and contributes to a good appetite.

Ginger
Ginger is renowned for supporting gut health and reducing inflammation.

Benefits
Reduces inflammation, Supports gut health, Supports cardiovascular system and Supports the immune system

Safe Leaf
I’m really surprised as to how many benefits sage leaf has and how it can help us:
Sage Leaf is specially formulated to ease menopausal symptoms like night sweats and hot flushes and can also help support digestive health, brain function, and thyroid health.

Benefits
Contributes to menopausal comfort, Maintains memory & preserves cognitive function, Helps to support digestion, Supports thyroid function.

All supplements are vegan and can be used as part of your daily supplement. Please contact your doctor first before taking these.

Which one are you? Vote below ⬇️

Lv Anjela ❤️

#sageleaf
#ginger
#turmericandpepper
#supplements by @accessible_angel

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2 years ago

I am so proud to be a part of the L’Oreal Stand Up to Street Harassment Campaign.

Did you know that 80% of women have experienced sexual harassment in public spaces? Street harassment can come in many forms - unwanted verbal, non-verbal and physical harassment.

As a disabled Indian female in my 50s, looks and comments on the street are a part of my normal. Because I’m a beauty influencer that loves to dress up and wear makeup, I’m made to feel it’s my fault, like I asked for this unwanted attention.

Back in the 90s, before my disability progressed, I worked for a retail company on the tills, customer services and cigarette counters. Men would come to the counters and start talking to me, asking me personal questions, what my name was, asking me out, saying how beautiful my eyes are. This wasn’t a one off, it happened every single week. I even brought a ring to wear on my ring finger to try and deter the men that came to my till. I began to give my friends scripts so that they could intervene by asking “where is your Fiancé taking you out for dinner tonight,” or “how are the wedding plans coming along” all because I was scared that one day, that man could be waiting outside for me. Does this sound familiar?

Now I use a wheelchair, I fear going out both day and night. Many people forget that we face an extra challenge. If we’re harassed, we can’t quickly get away. I am reliant on others to help and intervene and that’s why I am passionate about encouraging people to support one another.

Street harassment is NEVER okay. But how you can help?

L’Oreal have put together a training session to help women stay safe wherever we are – on the street, at a club, work or in the gym. In just 10 minutes, you’ll learn about different forms of street harassment and handy tips to call it out and intervene.

Together, we can stand up and put an end to street harassment.

https://www.standup-international.com/gb/en/training/landing

Lv Anjela ❤

Secured by @withrosalind
#westandup
@lorealparis
@resultswithrosalind

#streetharrassment #lorealparis #withrosalind taken in East London by @accessible_angel

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2 years ago