Elaine Boyd, Cerebral Palsy Scotland trustee, was named on the Shaw Trust’s Power 100 List. The list, which is published each year, recognises the achievements of disabled people and we’re delighted to congratulate Elaine on being named one of the most influential disabled people in the country.
Elaine has never shied away from new challenges or being ambitious for herself or others with CP. Elaine is Cerebral Palsy Scotland’s treasurer, vice chair of ACCA Scotland and works at Audit Scotland, where she heads up the Quality assurance Team. She continues to learn new skills and try new activities to see what she can do.
Elaine is one of our board members with lived experience of CP and has been instrumental in shaping the work we do, particularly in speaking up loudly for people with CP, how we support adults and is a regular contributor to the Cerebral Palsy Scotland conference. She is ambitious for people with CP in the work place too and believes everyone can achieve. She said in a recent interview with ACCA:
“I am humbled to be named in this list. I have been determined to fight against people’s low expectations for disabled people. I was told I would have to work in a shop when I left school, which made me furious because I wanted to achieve other things and so I pushed through the barriers.
“There is a perception that if you have a disability, you can’t have a good career or an exciting life, but if you work out solutions to the barriers in your way, you can do it.”
“I am humbled to be named in this list. I have been determined to fight against people’s low expectations for disabled people. I was told I would have to work in a shop when I left school, which made me furious because I wanted to achieve other things and so I pushed through the barriers.In the past couple of years, Elaine has received her flying wings, conquering her fear of heights. She was awarded a Flying Scholarship for the Disabled and graduated at the Royal International Air Tattoo in 2019. And just before her 50th birthday, she took up skiing in Glasgow.
Ian Johnstone, Cerebral Palsy Scotland’s Chairman said:
“Elaine is a great board member and challenges us at all times to ensure that the voice of people with CP is at the heart of our decisions and strategy. She’s a fantastic ambassador and role model, particularly for young people with CP. She’s never stopped pushing to see what she can do and encourages so many others around her. We’re very proud of her achievements and that she is recognised in the Shaw Trust’s Power 100 List.”
October is usually the month of Halloween, but did you know that there is a very important day before it? Yes, that’s right – it is World Cerebral Palsy Day on the 6th! The special day is to raise awareness about the disability which affects 17 million people, around the world. There are many ways that you can show your support for World CP Day.