It seems a bit strange writing a personal letter here on the ABLE2UK website, for the past 21 years I have published thousands of articles promoting stories relating to disability and mental health, but rarely ones which come straight from the heart.
I am Howard Thorpe, founder and CEO of ABLE2UK, or as Nadine Dorries once referred to me as ‘a moron’ because I published a story a few years ago from my cosy little office whilst the MP was eating a crocodile penis in Australia on I’m A Celeb. Yeah, what a moron I am!
It’s because people like Dorries members of the disabled community can feel isolated and lonely. It’s a subject often overlooked and if I am honest ABLE2UK has not published a sufficient amount of stories over the past two decades highlighting the emotional side one can feel living with a disability.
I have cerebral palsy, but I see my disability as a gift - without it I would not lead the incredible lifestyle I do and run ABLE2UK. But I know first hand having a disability can sometimes make you feel like an outsider.
From 18 January 2023, when this site relaunches after our short break, ABLE2UK will launch its Stop The Shadow campaign which, if everything goes to plan, will be the grandest and most ambitious project I have ever undertaken.
The #StopTheShadow campaign [let’s get that hashtag trending shall we?] will see articles dedicated to highlighting loneliness on our brand new spanking website, events and a pretty awesome short film which premieres on the huge screen in London’s Piccadilly Circus followed by an event headlined by Frank Turner at Hard Rock Cafe in Mayfair.
But that’s only the start of it, 2023 will see the return of ABLE2UK areas at film premieres, loads more competitions, hundreds of new online articles and maybe a few surprises which I have been working on for the past twelve months.
I am determined to make ABLE2UK grow, to deliver the best I can for disabled people and to highlight the loneliness they can feel. I am doing this in memory of my amazing dad who I sadly lost a couple of years ago and my goal is to show just because you may have a disability you are still ‘able2’ do anything.
Not bad for a moron!
See you in 2023.
Howard Thorpe
CEO and Founder of ABLE2UK
