People Who Inspired Us in 2016!

2016 was a year that saw its fair share of ups and downs (to say the least!)

But despite what we read online and in the papers, it wasn’t all doom and gloom.

We had the joy of meeting some of the most inspirational people out there. One thing they all had in common was the belief that life is too short to focus on the negatives.

People who take everything in their stride no matter what cards they are dealt in life.

Meet the wonderful people who chose to share their stories with us in 2016...

Wendy Mitchell

A wonderful lady who we feel needs little introduction. Wendy Mitchell spoke to us about her journey living positively with dementia.

Shocked and saddened at the lack of awareness and understanding around dementia, she dedicated her life to raising awareness about the disease.

“My daughter suggested I started a blog. I'd never blogged or done social media pre-dementia, so this was a new venture.”

“I soon realised that my blog was becoming my memory. I use it to record all the wonderful opportunities that dementia has brought my way. I call these ‘the advantages of living with dementia’.”

Read Wendy’s full story here, where you will also find a link to her hugely inspirational personal blog.

Luke Haigh

Fellow Yorkshireman Luke Haigh told us about how his passion for painting and photography helped him fight back against cancer.

“When my results came back it was the worst news ever. Nobody expects to hear the C word."

"I was told to go home, pack a bag and go straight to the teenage cancer ward in Leeds. Everything was like a blur. The nurses knew what to do and cracked straight on with treatment the moment I arrived. This was a good thing because there was no time to think about anything.”

“As I continued with my treatment there was a complication, which left me in intensive care on life support with pneumonia.”

“Fast forward to today, and I’m still in a wheelchair, but who cares? I found my passion in paint and photography.”

Read the full story of Luke’s journey here, where you will also find a link to his beloved artwork.

Alan and Carol

Ask Alan and Carol Walker what the secret to a happy life is and they’ll tell you,

“Remove any negativity from your life, if you believe you want to do something you can do it. Age is just a number and shouldn’t ever define you.”

62 years on from when they first met at a local dance hall, they’re still dancing.

From dancing on endless stages in front of thousands of people, jiving to buskers playing in the street, to attending the yearly Waldorf London Tea Dance, if there’s music playing you can guarantee Carol and Alan will be up and moving.

Slowing down isn’t something Alan and Carol intend on doing any time soon. They redefine the term O.A.P and refuse to live anything other than an active, colourful life.

Read the full story of this wonderful couple, where you’ll find more reasons why they inspired us in 2016.

Suzi Unsworth

On the 30th April 2012, Suzi Unsworth was run over as she rode her bicycle, losing her left leg above the knee in what was a shocking and gruesome accident.

“I go into more detail on my blog about how I felt emotionally during my stay. I talk about how I felt like I had to be strong, especially for my parents. And how I once couldn't hold it in anymore and got in a wheelchair and snuck into a prayer room and had a really big cry.”

“I still have days now where I just want to be left alone, and I go and have a cry, but they are getting less and less”.

“My therapy was, and still is, helping others. If I can make a good thing out of a bad situation then that’s great!”

“You will have bad days and some good, and the only advice I can give you is to take each hour at a time. Hours make days, then weeks, then years.”

“But perhaps the most important advice of all, never give up.”

Maybe we can all learn a thing or two from these inspirational people as we enter 2017, and let it be our best year yet – no matter what it brings.

Happy New Year!