大象传媒

Tom has Multiple Sclerosis and his best friend Susan was paralysed after an accident at work. He talks to her about his decision to move out to his garden shed, prompted by difficulties at home when his wife became his full-time carer. It became a home to him. That's when he and Susan first met, and she couldn't believe his circumstances. He was at rock-bottom, and she could relate because she'd felt the same way. When she became paralysed, her youngest child was just four months old. Social workers told Susan's children that they needed to look after her, and she hated it. It made her feel suicidal. It was hitting rock bottom like this, as Tom had, that made her turn her life full-circle.

Susan realised she had to change her attitude. When she tried to return to work, her former employers Fife Council only offered her jobs that she was physically unable to do. She took the council to court and lost, but it didn't deter her. After an appeal and a 5-and a half year legal battle, she ended up winning her case at the House of Lords. Since then, Susan has traveled all over the country to share her experiences of disability and equal rights.

Susan and Tom first met when they were both on the board for Inclusion Scotland. Tom has MS and is in a wheelchair. Prior to diagnosis, he was a successful businessman with several companies and a comfortable life. Then he started forgetting things, dropping things, getting lost and becoming increasingly dysfunctional. It took a really long time to get his MS diagnosis, and a long time to adjust to it. He's now grateful to his diagnosis for opening his eyes to a new kind of life.