I grew up in Warren Rd (nr Eastfield school) and I remember being at the Nursery.  They got a support worker for me to help with my needs.  I felt very included and the teachers kept me involved or tweaked activities so I could always take part.

We moved to Needingworth when I was 4 and a similar situation existed at Holywell school – good physical access and inclusion by the teachers set an example to other children.  I was always one of the lads – like anyone else.

It is easy to feel isolated as a disabled child but I was treated very normally.

At 10 my mom and dad divorced and we moved back to Needingworth Rd, my mom is still there now.  I didn’t go to the Ivo on account of the access there and had to get a minibus into Cambridge.  Around the middle of secondary school I started to reconnect with friends in St Ives.  The friends I made in St Ives will be my friends for life – we grew up together.

It’s safe, clean, basically friendly, a good place to grow up.

Transport and taxis are better now – before I could drive it was quite a problem.  Transport is much better now.  I can get into most shops and restaurants – sometimes I have to go through the kitchen at the Montaz.  Pubs and Clubs are more accessible than not.  If we go to the Music Box/Lounge my mates have to lift my chair up the steps.

If I was to dream about a perfect day in the future – everywhere would be accessible – I moved away because of limited career opportunities.  One day I might take my learning and my entrepreneurial spirit and come back.  I love the community, restaurants, pubs, I have more choice in London – in my late teens and early twenties I felt a need to break out – St Ives is quite white and middle class and I like the diversity of London.

When I drive up the M11/A14 and turn in over the bypass – I see the old mill apartments –see the river and feel a wave of relaxation come over me, I have so many happy memories.

From a practical point of view more drop kerbs would be really important.  Education, Community, the chance to earn a living these things seem really fundamental and St Ives has them but the chance for more leisure is hard with a wheelchair.  A wheelchair football team would be great, or even just more suitable equipment in the gym.