I am encouraged by the Prime Minister’s recognition

28 October 2015

WHETHER it’s undertaking gruelling wheelchair marathons, lobbying for the rights of young disabled people, or nailing first class honours degrees, Michaela Hollywood doesn’t do things by half.

And now even Prime Minister David Cameron has noticed.

The young Crossgar woman, who has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), has received one of the Prime Minister’s daily Point of Light awards, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.

Michaela, now 25, has battled impaired mobility and life-threatening breathing difficulties since birth due to the muscle wasting condition, and on a day to day basis depends on a range of life-saving equipment and the support of her family.

The Point of Light award particularly recognises her work in creating the first Trailblazers campaign group for young disabled people, which inspired a nationwide network of over 600 people across the UK.

Michaela founded Trailblazers in Northern Ireland in 2008 when she encountered difficulties accessing a music concert in Belfast. Starting with a group of 20 young people in her local area, Muscular Dystrophy UK then managed to secure £250,000 to expand the network to the rest of the UK, helping hundreds of young disabled people to campaign on issues that are important to them.

Michaela has also helped to secure £200,000 investment in an adult specialist neuromuscular nurse and a neuromuscular consultant in Belfast which will provide support for people affected by muscle wasting conditions across Northern Ireland.

Recently graduating from Ulster University with a first class honours degree in public relations, she has just been awarded her masters degree and fully intends on having a fulfilling career.

In a letter to Michaela, the Prime Minister said she had shown “tremendous determination” in her campaigning work and should be “immensely proud” of her achievements.

“Michaela has shown the incredible impact people can have when they work together to make a difference,” said Mr Cameron. “By harnessing the power of over 600 disabled young people around the UK, Trailblazers has successfully campaigned for changes that will help thousands. I’m delighted to recognise Michaela as the UK’s 373rd Point of Light.”

Michaela said she was honoured by the recognition.

“I’ve worked hard to improve the situation for all of us living with disabilities in terms of accessing medical care, but also in ensuring we can live fuller, more active lives among our peers,” she said.

“This Point of Light award shows how far we’ve come and I look forward to continuing my work with the realisation of the real impact it has had, and the encouragement to continue due to the Prime Minister’s recognition.”

Michaela said her devoted family are delighted for her, and explained it had been difficult keeping the Point of Light award a secret.

“I knew a week ago but had to keep it quiet,” she said. “Trying to keep it quiet has been fun.

“A while ago I had started getting calls from the cabinet office looking for more information about my volunteering work but it was only last week that I knew what it was all about.

“Muscular Dystrophy UK are delighted and as soon as they heard I was getting lots of emails and calls.”

But apart from letting her hair down at two One Direction concerts in the one week, it is very much business as usual for the pop music fan.

She is busy making the final arrangements for the auction of a signed golf tee flag from Rory McIlroy, which will go towards her Michaela’s Marathon fundraising total. The marathon, which has so far raised £5,000, was in memory of Michaela’s sister Martina, who also had the condition and sadly passed away in 1997 aged just 14.

“Rory had wanted to be there on the day of the marathon but couldn’t so he sent the flag to be auctioned,” said Michaela. “That means a lot.

“We are now looking at the best way of doing that as we want to do the donation justice.”

Keep an eye on Michaela’s plans via Twitter @kylahollywood.

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