Kate Stanforth lives with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) – a condition that is also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Her symptoms started when she was 14, as one morning she woke up barely able to move.
Now 25, Kate, from Northumberland, uses a wheelchair most of the time to get around.
She describes herself as an ambulatory wheelchair user, which means that she is able to take some steps but needs her wheelchair to help ease fatigue and pain.
Often people, like Kate, who are able to get out of their wheelchairs are discriminated against because people accuse them of not needing their chair or faking being ill.
So when she was asked to model in the latest George at Asda ad for their new denim range, she felt it was important to be featured both in and out of her wheelchair.
Kate has danced since she was a child and is now teaches ballet from her wheelchair, and she was asked to show her skills in the ad.
Kate tells Metro.co.uk: ‘Having disabled role models and people on screen is one way that we can start both talking, and understanding, more about disabilities.
‘Now we are starting to break these stigma’s with disabled models, it was definitely time to show an ambulatory wheelchair user.
‘There are a huge group of ambulatory wheelchair users out there, me included, who get discriminated against every day.
‘From getting out the car to transfer to a wheelchair and being told we don’t need that blue badge space, to hearing people snigger if we stand up out of our wheelchair to reach an item on our shelf, it’s time to stop the hate and increase the understanding.
‘Being an ambulatory wheelchair user, in general, is difficult; some days I can’t even get out of bed to use my wheelchair but on other days, I can walk short distances.
‘I hope that this can be the start of a movement where it’s ‘ok’ to move.
‘It’s ok to get out your chair, if you can, and hopefully, people will start understanding better too.’
Kate has been modelling for a few years with Zebedee Management – a company that focuses on representing people with disabilities and differences – but this is one of her biggest jobs so far.
The We Are Making Moves campaign focuses on championing inclusivity as George at Asda says they want to show that their denim is ‘made for every body’.
Since posting about the advert online, Kate has had an amazing response from other ambulatory wheelchair users who said they feel more represented seeing her on-screen.
Seeing the adverts come out has been particularly poignant for Kate as she was unwell during the shoot.
For the video, she danced for two minutes – the most she had done for 11 years.
But later that afternoon, she collapsed on the bathroom floor and was unable to do any more filming, before flying home the following day.
Kate added: ‘It’s been very emotional seeing the adverts come out.
‘When I was filming, I wasn’t very well and was worried I let people down but seeing the final result, I’m really happy with it.
‘I was nervous too, for everyone’s reaction, but on a whole everyone has been lovely.
‘I especially love the IGTV which George launched on their Instagram where they talk further with me about my condition, fashion and my life; I think it was a really lovely touch which explains more about being an ambulatory wheelchair user too!
‘On the whole, everyone has been lovely and I got a lot of support! I have had a few negative comments, which was expected for this kind of campaign, but I definitely think that most people really enjoyed it.’
Mary Kate Campbell, Senior Buying and Design Director for Womenswear at George said: ‘We all want to find the perfect jean, to enhance our body shape, and in our George denim you’ll look and feel fantastic every day.
‘We’ve got great fitting silhouettes, authentic washes sustainably sourced, and all at great value for money. We’re also super proud of our fabulous cast of models wearing them!’
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/02/20/woman-models-dances-wheelchair-george-asda-ad-show-ambulatory-wheelchair-users-exist-12262372/
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