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Melissa Parker

@melissakparker.bsky.social
94 followers 64 following 54 posts

Award winning freelance journalist, cover girl, columnist and other C-words. @CosmopolitanUK @RadioTimes @digitalspy @MetroUK E: melissakparker4@gmail.com

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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Are you telling me they didn't think this through? Astounded.
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
I couldn't have been more excited to get an email response from Micah Fowler, the first actor with CP I saw on TV. disabilityrepresentationdiary.substack.com/p/entry-2-pa...
On a white background with two large yellow quotation marks, the following words are written in black: 

“I also think disability representation matters because seeing yourself represented fosters empowerment.  Disability representation empowers and fosters hope to people navigating life with a disability.”

Underneath this, in a smaller yellow font, Micah Fowler. 
Underneath in black font: Actor and Disabled activist.

Alongside it is a photo of Micah he was short brown hair, dark eyes and wears a bright green top.
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
I got back into my slightly broken wheelchair like, "Maybe it fixed itself in the intervening time." I'm sorry, but I just needed to grip onto the delusion.
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
I just interviewed Emmerdale's James Moore for The Disability Representation Diary! We discussed the importance of authentic disabled characters in media and the ongoing fight for proper representation in today's political climate.
On a white background with two large yellow quotation marks, the following words are written in black: A lot of right-wingers think that it’s DEI or culture outrage...rubbish...whatever…

Underneath this, in a smaller yellow font, James Moore
Underneath in black font: Actor and Disabled activist.

Alongside it is a photo of James. He has long brown hair, brown eyes and brown facial hair. 
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Each week I will be interviewing a disabled person about their experiences of disability representation—and why they matter. Please share and subscribe! 💛🖤🤍
On a dark yellow/gold background in a comic book style, inside a thought bubble is written in large black letters: The Disability Representation Diary. 
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Calling all disabled film/TV fans! 🎬 Who’s your ALL-TIME favourite #disabled character in TV/film history? I’m working on a project & want to hear your thoughts! DM me, or my email is in my bio. #DisabilityRepresentation #FilmAndTV #DisabledCharacters #Accessibility
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
I once had an ad for medical negligence lawyers related VERY specifically to CP. But then, not five minutes later, running so...not bang on.
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Please consider bringing this information/and the interviews we’re seeing on this to your MP’s attention: #AssistUsToLive

ID: It is written in cream/white capital letters on a dark red background. Continue to tag your MP and share why you’re against assisted dying! Let’s tell them why it’s personal! Please share!
Beneath it in the same font but in a smaller one. #AssistUsToLive
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
Please consider taking part. #AssistUsToLive
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
Before I went on Christmas break I wrote about the legend that is Gail Platt. #CoronationStreet www.cobbled-together.co.uk/post/i-m-par...
cobbled-together.co.uk
I’m Part Cobble, Me: The Legacy of Gail Platt on Coronation Street
Gail Platt has lived on Coronation Street for 50 years as she said, “I practically know every cobble back-to-front.”
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 26/12/2024
Literally the only way this Christmas gift could've been better is if were a birkin. #Emmerdale
Melissa sits in a brown wheelchair with shott blonde hair and blue eyes she's holding a shopping bag which reads David's Shop Emmerdale
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 23/12/2024
Got taunted and called "hot wheels," today by a group of teenage boys. Which on the scale isn't that offensive. But my only abiding thought is, just who is dragging these children up?
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
This is my article of the year. If you'd told baby Melissa she would be writing about #Angel for the #RadioTimes. Like that's my show! www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/b...
radiotimes.com
Sorry Buffy fans, Angel's controversial ending was actually perfect
Twenty years on, Angel's finale still stands up.
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
I contributed a bit on disability representation in Star Trek for this and loved it. 💙
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
I am consulting on a speech and language project. Specifically about not feeling shame around speech and today I got embarrassed I couldn't say "cappuccino" in a cafè. Like once the shame gets hold it sticks.
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/whee... End of an era as my new wheelchair doesn't have full handles -- utterly sure they will still find a way. #Disabled #Wheelchair #Consent
glamourmagazine.co.uk
Please stop touching my wheelchair without my consent - it makes me feel violated and dehumanised
“Why do non-disabled people feel they have the right to invade personal space and control our bodies simply because we may have a physical difference?”
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
I compared having a new wheelchair, with the old one in the corner, to having an ex boyfriend and comparing constantly, and it's so true. "He wouldn't do it like that." #Disabled
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
I grew up in a working-class environment where any notion of being #disabled was to be pushed down, throttled out. I didn't want to be an activist but living in a disabled body IS activism.
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
Surely the only proper way to address my birthday card.
Melissa has straight blonde hair and blue eyes and wears a brown coat she is holding and envelope which says The Queen on it.
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
I am a huge Gail fan - adore her. Also as a mancunion third of 3 I get the Platts. Would give the other two my kidney but never my phone charger. Our Gail deserves a REST. #Corrie
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
It's wild and wonderful to me that a year later I still get asked about this. #Disability #Ableism www.stylist.co.uk/opinion/rosi...
stylist.co.uk
“Like Rosie Jones, I face ableist comments about my speech every day – and it’s exhausting”
As Rosie Jones has to push back against ableist abuse yet again, one writer shares her experience of the same 'rinse and repeat' cycle.
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
#AssistUsToLive
On a dark red background in large white capital letters, it reads THE NOOSE AROUND HER NECK. SLACKENS, SAGS—TIGHTENS.” Underneath is written the hashtag in smaller wording: #AssistUsToLive 
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
I told someone I am close to all the statistics on assisted dying being broadened out elsewhere. Their one word response? "Ew." It's just so vile and careless. #AssistUsToLive
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
@catsmithmp.bsky.social I urge you to vote No. This bill leaves us vulnerable. Disabled lives are worth more than a few hours of debate --- don't help to put a potentially slowly tightening noose around our neck. #AssistUsToLive
Dark red background with white lettering reads: On November 22 to 29 tag your MP and share why you're against assisted dying! Let's tell them why it's personal! #AssistUsToLive
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
As so many MPs remain undecided on #assisteddying please consider contacting your MP: #AssistUsToLive
A dark red background with white writing which reads: On November 22 to the 29 tag your MP and share why you're against assisted dying! Let's tell them why it's personal! #assistustolive
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Reposted by Melissa Parker
Polly Atkin @pollyrowena.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
If you're not fighting for disability justice, against forced DNRs on disabled people, against benefits cuts; unless you've been advocating for better care, access, infection control; unless you know the intersections of disability / poverty ... you don't have an informed opinion on assisted dying.
On a dark red background are written the following words in a large white font: On November 22-29, tag your MP and share why you’re against assisted dying! Let’s tell them why it’s personal!

Written directly underneath in the same white writing, although smaller, is the hashtag #AssistUsToLive.
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
I wrote an open letter to my local MP. Please consider doing this too: #AssistUsToLive www.thecanary.co/opinion/2024...
Image reads: on November 22 to the 29 tag your MP and share why you're against assisted dying! Let's tell them why it's personal! #assistustolive
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
I really am so hopeful this will give #disabled people a platform to protest in a way that is #accessible. #AssistUstoLive Please share!
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
My first ever published #poem is about being #disabled and working-class. #poetry
Reads:

Melissa Parker 

Hardship:

She sits in it.
Sternliness and stateliness.
Rigidity in her composure.
After all,
British people glorify hardship,
Fetishize the Blitz and the stiff upper lip,
It builds character.
But being disabled is---
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
As an introduction: I am an award winning #disabled journalist and published poet. Soaps, Star Trek and a bit of a Smeghead.
Melissa sits in her wheelchair she has blonde hair and blue eyes she holds an award which reads, "Best Opinion"
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Melissa Parker @melissakparker.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
I wrote something like "Your pinky promises crack our fingers," for moments like this the #disabled know what "robust safeguards" means.
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