During Disability History Month (14 November to 20 December), we have been hearing the stories of disabled people and asking them to tell us their experiences in their own words.
Last month, Around Ealing met Huda and Kuldip, both of whom are experienced bike ride leaders from community cycling group Let’s Ride Southall, developing the Let’s Go Southall social movement to help increase physical activity.
Below, Huda shares her story of how cycling, and the local community, have empowered her and changed her life in ways she could never imagine.
Here’s Huda’s story…
“I came to this country from Somalia in 2004 with my then-husband and my 18-month-old son, I was also six-months pregnant.
“Everything was different here – the language, the pace of life and the culture.
“It wasn’t an easy start.”
Losing my hearing
“After my daughter was born, I had some complications and developed a condition called Otosclerosis where the bone in my middle ear kept growing and led to me losing half my hearing.
“This condition, which is hidden, especially as I wear a hijab, means I need to stare at people a lot to lip read which makes people feel uncomfortable. I can also look a bit lost, or people might think I’m ignoring them. It’s made learning English and integrating myself into the community difficult.
“Eventually, I had an operation so I could have a hearing aid but then ended up with nerve damage to the side of my face, which I still have. I learnt to cope, and I even started college studying to be an early year’s practitioner.
A scary and isolating time
“Looking back, it was a very isolating and scary time, and I lost my confidence. I put a lot of pressure on myself to be tough, as we Somali women are, and I tried hard to accept my situation.
“The truth is, I was struggling. In my country, I was popular, and I shared my opinions loudly. Here I was silent and alone.
“It all became too much, and I dropped out of college.
Saved by Southall
“One day I was sitting at home, I’m now a single mum with 5 children – 2 with additional needs, and I was really struggling so I reached out to Let’s Talk, an online meeting set up by Let’s Go Southall where people can talk and socialise.
It was the first time I’d met other people in my community, including Kudlip, a Let’s Ride Southall bike lead. I wanted to be like him, he was so confident.
“Through this, I met members of the Southall Active Communities team and was asked to join in a bike ride. Women in my country weren’t allowed to cycle, but it was something I’d always wanted to learn but never had the chance, so I thought I’d give it a try.
“Gradually, I got my confidence back, I went back to college, and my teacher was very supportive – she pushed me and, with her support I passed my Childcare L3 Diploma and got a job in a nursery for a while.
Good things are coming
“Being part of Let’s Ride Southall and getting on a bike has been about so much more than riding. It helped me to make friends, feel part of a community and made me believe I could do anything. I have done Ride London, a 30-mile bike ride and I’m now a Let’s Ride Southall bike lead with Kudlip.
“Getting on a bike has also been good for my mental health, I have so many responsibilities but when I’m on my bike I feel free.
“There was a time when I knew nobody and felt completely alone, and I want to raise awareness and help others who may be in similar situations.
“I want to tell people; good things are coming in your life, get out there and socialise, talk to people and you’ll realise you are not alone – you can do anything.”
What is disability history month?
Disability History Month focuses on the history of disabled people and their fight for equality and human rights. Read more on the UK Disability History Month website.
