Sam O. Email & Phone Number

Hi, I'm Sam, founder of Dream Big Live BiGR. I'm a human navigating a world not designed for me. I have complex disabilities and use a power wheelchair. It's tough but so am I. I'm a sports fanatic. I coach football. I am a college student. I am a total foodie. I am an advocate. I am all about equity. I hold people to account. I speak up. I have dreams of living a big and full life, dreams of travelling, dreams of achieving my ambitions. Big, big dreams...But life is for living, not dreaming. Dream big, live bigger!Over the past 2 years, I have transformed my communication using technology, allowing me to speak up for myself and others more powerfully. I speak locally and nationally and my aim is to get right into Downing Street! Watch this space for my new 'all singing and dancing' communication aid - equipped with my local accent nonetheless!My experience includes keynote speaking, conference chairing, speaking to ministers, campaigning, monitoring services, workshops and training, and advising local and national decision-makers, including the DfE.2024 highlights so far:✅ Co-chaired the 6th annual National Youth Voice Matters Conference, opened the conference with a motivational speech, ran workshops throughout the day (Birmingham Conference Centre)✅ Trained 40 uni speech and language therapy students to better understand what it is like living with a communication difficulty (Newcastle Uni)✅ Made a 5 minute speech to the previous Education Minister at a Ministerial Round Table (Teams)✅ Spoke at the State of the City Debate on young people's mental health and wellbeing (City Hall, Sunderland)✅ Spoke at North East Youth Symposium about 'getting the cogs turning' in the system (Biscuit Factory, Newcastle)✅ Got BiGR off the ground (www.dreambiglivebigr.com) I am actively seeking opportunities to connect with and influence decision-makers, both locally and nationally. Check out my pinned posts for examples of my work.I advocate based on my lived experiences and through talking to other young people. I have been involved in advocacy work for over 3 years and belong to 3 local groups and the national group, FLARE, which advises the DfE. Education, health and social care feature high on my agenda - I need support pretty much 24/7 and rely on others for all my needs. I access a wide range of services in all these areas and therefore have vast lived experience of the 'fight' disabled people and their families are always banging on about.

• Disabled Rights Activist

  Dream Big Live Bigr

  Jan 2024 - Present - North East, England, United Kingdom

  I am a young disabled person advocating for our rights.My experience: keynote speaking, conference chairing, speaking to ministers, campaigning, monitoring services, workshops and training, and advising local and national decision-makers, including the DfE.2024 highlights:✅ Co-chaired the national Youth Voice Matters Conference✅ Trained 40 uni students✅ Made speech to Education Minister✅ Spoke at the State of the City Debate✅ Spoke at North East Youth Symposium