I am passionate about disability rights and actively participate in steering groups advocating for diverse representation in mainstream media and literary fiction.

I am also a member of the Disabled Leaders Network and ADCI (Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses), where I focus on amplifying underrepresented voices and championing systemic change.

Among my contributions, I worked on the 'Changing Expectations' media project with The Royal Society, addressing barriers to career progression for disabled and disadvantaged individuals. I’ve also championed disability representation through initiatives like Reflecting Realities (funded by Arts Council England) and collaborated on humanitarian efforts with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Gingerbread, striving to ensure marginalised voices are heard and represented in meaningful ways.

Maria Lightwood

Voices Amplified

My Disability Story

Living with over 10 chronic health conditions, my journey has been one of resilience and adaptation. These include:

PCOS, Endometriosis, Axial Spondyloarthritis (SpA), Chronic Cystitis, Autism, Pure-O OCD, ADHD, TMJ, PTSD, IBS, Chronic Immune Neutropenia, and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

Severe health challenges have shaped my perspective, including hospitalisations for unbearable pain (eventually diagnosed as kidney stones). A late autism diagnosis further highlighted the unique lens through which I navigate the world. These experiences have informed my advocacy and creative projects, providing a voice for the disabled community in literature and media.

From Advocacy to Art

I am an aspiring creative and disabled advocate, deeply informed by my own intersectional lived experiences. My work spans Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives, particularly in healthcare policy and editorial projects.

As a member of ADCI, a contributor to The Pharmaceutical Journal, a freelance editor, and a published anthology writer, I bring a multifaceted approach to amplifying marginalised voices. Recently, my novel was shortlisted by Curtis Brown Creative, marking a milestone in what was once an inconceivable journey due to my background.

Through my humanitarian efforts with organisations like Lambeth and Gingerbread, I have seen how systemic challenges often leave vulnerable voices unheard. I am committed to ensuring their stories are told authentically, challenging stereotypes. My creative work in literature, film, and multimedia aspires to inspire marginalised communities and future creatives, showing that their narratives have power, value, and a rightful place in mainstream media.