Disability 2012: Martyn's story

Here’s the situation. You’re in northern Spain and you want to get up to the mountains to see the breathtaking views. But the local train doesn’t have ramps, and the only wheelchair-accessible vehicle you can hire is an old van powered by vegetable oil. Hmmm. 

Martyn Sibley, 28, says he scratched his head for a while then concocted a plan - or as he calls it, a “bodge job” - with some friends. “We got a train to a nearby station and used a makeshift ramp for my chair. Then I was lifted into the van and we chucked my chair in the back. It was scary getting to the top, but the view was well worth it.”

Meet Martyn: a man who likes to see the world, despite the steps, gaps, kerbs and occasional mountain that get in his way. An experienced traveller, he’s travelled Australia, road tripped around America, scuba dived in Tenerife and is now planning to tour Europe by caravan, “as you do”.

Access denied

It’s not just for kicks either. Martyn writes about and films his adventures on his blog, using his experiences to record, amongst other topics, the highlights – and pitfalls – of travelling with a wheelchair. His new campaign, #AccessDenied, encourages people to tweet pictures of the barriers they come up against such as high bar stools and narrow doorways.

“Not being able to get into buildings, struggling with transport... that’s all part of my life,” he says. “It’s important to acknowledge these barriers but never let them stop you. I have always looked for ways round the tricky stuff. It might take longer, it might be a different route, but anything is possible.”

Martyn has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a condition which causes muscle wasting and loss of movement. “Here are some facts. I can’t walk, lift anything heavier than a book or shower by myself,” he says. “I also have a master’s degree, run my own business and drive my own car.”

A new disabilty lifestyle magazine

Last year, Martyn co-founded the online lifestyle magazine, Disability Horizons, with his friend Srin Madipalli, who also has SMA. The magazine is a platform for disabled people to share stories, tips and comments on subjects including travel, employment and hobbies.

“Disability Horizons is the only online lifestyle magazine for disabled people - that’s why it’s growing so quickly,” says Martyn. “The community reads it, writes it and shares it online. The aim is to pioneer a 21^st century view of disability and show the lives of disabled people’s lives as they actually are.”

It’s been an overnight success story. Readership is 20,000 and spiralling daily and more than 400 people have contributed articles. But it hasn’t all been plain sailing. The magazine has attracted criticism for not being political enough at a time of benefit cuts, negative press and uncertainty for disabled people.

“The lack of overtly political content is deliberate,” says Martyn. “There are plenty of those publications out there; we didn’t need another one. To me, sharing practical and inspiring stories to improve disabled people’s lives and ambitions is as valuable as campaigning. We need both to develop society for the better.”

Martyn is philosophical now about the criticism, but he says he’s had wobbly moments too. “When Disability Horizons was featured in Society Guardian, the comments were all about how we should be fighting the government, not promoting a fluffy holiday. That hurt. But everyone is entitled to an opinion and I learned to grow thicker skin.”

Dreaming big

For a boost, Martyn just has to turn to the magazine’s readership figures which continue to grow month on month, with writers and readers from over 60 countries visiting the site.

“I think Horizons can instil a 'dream big' viewpoint,” says Martyn.”Disabled people have been so marginalised and bashed and knocked in confidence. I want our readers to think: ‘That trip looks exciting, or that sounds like a great career, I might just give it a go.’”

For the latest disability news and views, including daily coverage on the Paralympics, check out www.disabilityhorizons.com