Michaela is taking to the road again – this time for ice cream

Michaela is taking to the road again – this time for ice cream

22 June 2016

A YEAR ago today Michaela Hollywood was recovering from a gruelling one-of-a-kind marathon.

Her 26 mile wheelchair trek across Belfast rewrote the rule book for people living with a disability, and now the inspirational 26 year-old from Crossgar is on the road again.

To mark the one-year anniversary Michaela is undertaking a 5k between Murlough Beach and Newcastle on Sunday. Once again she will be raising money for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Michaela, who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), took on the marathon in her wheelchair in memory of her sister Martina, who also had the condition and sadly passed away in 1997 aged just 14.

SMA affects nerve cells in the spinal cord, impacting on movement and, in some cases, breathing. Michaela battled through a life-threatening bout of pneumonia in order to tackle her challenge and on a day to day basis depends on a range of life-saving equipment and the support of her family.

“This year on Sunday we will be walking from the Twelves Arches at Murlough Beach into Newcastle for some ice-cream and back,” said Michaela.

Last time the police were on board to clear the way, but are content this time, she says, to largely leave them to it.

“There is a hard shoulder pretty much the whole way,” she explained.

“We want to give everybody the chance to take part in it. With the community’s help we want to make it as successful as possible.”

With her stop off for ice-cream in Newcastle, Michaela also hopes to highlight some of the social issues that still face people with disabilities. An ordinary day out to the seaside, she said, can sometimes bring difficulties.

“People with disabilities are part of the community,” she said. “But in Newcastle, for example, I cannot go on to the beach.”

Michaela explained that access to a ramp down to the beach was often blocked by other users.

“I can only sit on the bench so I can’t play with my nephew on the beach,” she said.

“If it was a sunny day and wanted to go there for a day out, for example, I would not be able to get an Ulsterbus to take me. I have to give them 24 hours advance notice. I’m not quite sure what the actual problem is.”

Michaela said attitudes to people with disabilities had improved over the past 10 years because they are much more visible to society. Some problems, such as access to shops and cafes, and staring, still exist. Children staring, however, she doesn’t mind.

“Some are quite innocently ignorant,” she said. “I don’t mind them asking questions. I let them try my chair and they go away quite happy. They realise you are just another type of human being. Next time in a restaurant they won’t stare as much.”

A lot of staring from adults comes from “people who do not treat me right”, according to Michaela and there is also “indifference” to deal with.

“Sometimes if I go into a cafe there is bit of an attitude of ‘oh, we have to move the chairs’,” she explained.

“Also, if I am out with my family those waiting on the table will ask them if I want sugar, for example, rather than ask me. That is one of the biggest issues, people with disabilities feeling that they don’t have their own voice.”

These are just some of the issues that Michaela is tackling in her new campaigning role with Muscular Dystrophy UK, having recently graduated from university with a Masters in public relations.

But she is also keen to point how many people are keen to help her and others with disabilities locally.

“Some are very positive, more than happy to help,” she said. “These people really make it work.”

Michaela’s campaigning work with her charity saw her invited to 

last year’s Downing Street Christmas lights switch on with Prime Minister David Cameron. Her next big trip is on Thursday when she is off to meet the Duke of Edinburgh at St James’s Palace, as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.

“I’m looking forward to an interesting conversation,” she said.

In the meantime, Michaela hopes that some local people will join her for Sunday’s walk into Newcastle, departing at 11am, or make a donation.

“Those who know me will know how much Muscular Dystrophy UK have supported my family,” she said. “Now is the time I get to support them back.”

For more information on donating visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MichaelasMiles