My name is Barry Smith, and I am 46 years old. I suffer from Cerebral Palsy, which is a physical disability. Because I suffer from this, I use a power chair, and I have a lightweight voice output communication aid, so if people don’t understand what I’m trying to say to them, I can type it in. I lived by myself, but I received support from SDS and ILF to help with tasks that I found challenging on my own, such as feeding and cooking for myself, and I appreciated it more. Down to me having this, I get SDS and ILF  funding to help me get support for what I can’t do for myself.

Last July, I went to TRNSMT at Glasgow Green for two days, and all year I couldn’t wait for it to come back around again, so I saved up for it. One thing I remember from last year is that when I went into the Disabled Toilet, I found it was tough to close the door behind over. When I went back again this year, they had a van which had a wheelchair lift.. What I saw this year was they made the access better for disability people in the disabled bit; they had a tent for everyone could go and tell out. Three more things to talk about on the access, they had people sign for deaf people to the music, which I think was very good. One more thing, a Beatson volunteer can get you food and soft drinks, you only need to give them your bank card and they chip and pin, but you can’t ask them to get you an over-18’s drink, which I think is right because some people can’t drink because they’re on medication.

The music over the two days, which was the Saturday and the Sunday, was out of this world. Some of the bands were playing that I had never heard of before, but they sounded so good. I can’t wait to go back next year.  Before I end this report, I would like to thank four people who made this happen for me: my Mum, Laure, my PA, Paul, my PA, and the accessibility