“I’ve lived with arthrogryposis since birth. It means my joints don’t move like most people’s, and I need 24-hour support from my PAs. Some people might see that as a limitation, but I don’t. It’s just part of who I am. It’s made me resourceful, patient, and determined to find my own ways of doing things.
During Covid, I bought an Alexa just for music and radio. At first, it was a bit of fun. But soon I realised it could do far more. Now it helps me call my Personal Assistant (PA) from another room, manage my shopping list, set reminders, and even control the heating and fan.
These might sound like small things, but to me, they mean independence. They mean I don’t have to ask for help every single time.
Of course, it’s not perfect. If the Wi-Fi goes down or a smart bulb jams, I’m stuck. And sometimes I worry about privacy — is Alexa listening when I don’t want it to? But overall, it’s given me freedom and confidence I didn’t expect.
Technology doesn’t replace the care and kindness of people, and I wouldn’t want it to. But it does give me more control over my daily life. One day, I hope AI will go even further — maybe even help me open doors. For now, it’s helping me live more on my own terms, and that’s powerful.”