My Special Needs Awareness Journey
By Abigail Louise Francis Garvey
My name is Abigail Louise Francis Garvey
this is my journey.
I was born with a chromosome 12 deletion, which has affected many areas of my life. I also have learning disabilities, but they have never stopped me from being myself or chasing my dreams.
Over the years, I have been diagnosed with several medical conditions, including:
Chromosome 12 deletion
Learning disabilities
ADHD
Emotional and behavioural difficulties
Anxiety and mental health challenges
Dissociative seizures caused by trauma
Developmental academic disorder
Perthes disease affecting my left hip
Leg length discrepancy
Flat feet
Camptodactyly affecting the little finger on my left hand
Eczema
Asthma
Right upper renal scarring with a cyst in the lower pole of my kidney
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Type 2 Diabetes
Plagiocephaly
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (diagnosed in 2022)
Gallstones (diagnosed in June 2019)
IgG4-related disease (diagnosed in March 2026)
One of the biggest moments in my life came in February 2014, when I underwent major surgery. My left leg was 5 cm shorter than my right leg because of my hip condition. During the operation, surgeons inserted a metal rod from my hip to my knee to help correct the difference.
Recovering from such a major operation wasn’t easy, but I surprised everyone—including myself—with how well I coped. My disabilities have taught me strength, resilience, and determination.
I know I face challenges that many people never have to think about, but I refuse to let my disabilities define who I am.
I rock this world.
Disability cannot stop me from becoming the person I want to be. I have a disability—yes, that’s true—but all it really means is that I may have to take a slightly different path than someone else.
I see the world from a different point of view, and that’s something to be proud of.
My aim is to raise awareness of what life is really like as a disabled adult. Every day brings new challenges, but it also brings new achievements, laughter, hope, and reasons to keep moving forward. I want to show that disability is only one part of who I am—it does not define my entire life.
When I’m not sharing my journey, I’m a massive fan of Lilo & Stitch and Moana. They remind me that family means nobody gets left behind, and that being different is something to celebrate.
My story is one of resilience, courage, and determination—and by sharing it, you’re helping others better understand what it means to live with disability while still embracing life.
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Photo credit: Image provided by the storyteller.