iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Shona Stuart

@shona-stuart.bsky.social

Disability activist, member of the SNP, Co-Convenor of the disabled members group of the SNP, 25, Pansexual, will campaign for the right for everyone to be equal.

Posts Replies Media

Reposted by Shona Stuart

SNP Disabled Members Group @snp-dmg.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Hi all, last one for now unless you want your voice heard The graphic explains everything so I will leave it to speak for itself, just adding the links here for you to watch and hear how amazing Magnus Turpie is as a musician youtu.be/2ZyvwPZyZes?... magnusturpiecombo.bandcamp.com/album/hold-o...

Magnus Turpie
Last year at Conference we were honoured to hear Magnus Turpie play his Accordion and speck on a resolution. Link to this is in the text above.
Since then, Magnus has been nominated, with his and, for a “na trads” award, has appeared a ‘Ablefest’ and ‘Tradfest’ events in Dublin, was selected as one of 70 out of 465 applicants to appear on the Prestigious “Danny Kyle “ stage at Celtic connections. All in Q1 of this year.
He has an album released last may … (Link above with other link.)

Which was Celtic music radio’s album of the week in November last year.
Overall a really positive story, but not sustainable of itself without the support of the Scottish music sector and government to change societal attitudes.
I hope you will support Magnus and other learning disabled musicians who have found their voice in music…

There are two Disability Pride Flags in both the top corners

021

Reposted by Shona Stuart

SNP Disabled Members Group @snp-dmg.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

I want to make sure that the stories are being told, because each person has their own story and they are as unique as we all are. This is about a disability that I will admit I had never heard of but will definitely look more into this and other types of disability more in the future.

Another DMG Members Story
Hi everyone! My name is Jordon, part of the invisible and rare disabilities crew!
I have a condition called Prader-Willi Syndrome. It's a rare genetic condition caused by missing or inactive genes on chromosome 15, affecting growth, development, and hormone regulation. Only 200 people across all 4 nations in the UK are diagnosed. I am also partially sighted I stand by the quote: "There's nothing about us without us"
I have fought a lot throughout my life to get the help and support needed. Doctors still don't know to this day if I have the conditions I have. My education journey can only be described as hell. Primary school was fine, as I had 1:1 support that wasn't regular, but enough to help. I then went up to Secondary school and had 2 teaching assistants and a team of teachers on my back 24/7. I hated this, as I couldn't work my own - I was constantly told to think a certain way, I was never allowed to be independent.
To be continued on next Graphic
There is a Disability Pride Flag in the Bottom Left Corner

Continued
Disability has taken a lot from me, including confidence. I struggle going out on my own, I don't really do well in social situations and get anxious if I'm around people I don't know. However, I do not let it stop me!
It's true that there is nothing about us without us - if you fail to include us in our own lives, how can we see our full potential? Short answer: you can't. You become blind sighted by your own life and that is a horribly sad and depressing situation to be in
We need awareness, but we also need less ignorance. We cannot have pride in our disability if the very thing that is part of our identity is ignored.
Talk to us, not at us or about us. Do things with us, not for us
There is plenty ability in Disability, we just need to open our hearts more
There are Disability Pride Flags in both top corners

042

Reposted by Shona Stuart

SNP Disabled Members Group @snp-dmg.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Hi all, back again with another story from one of our members, just want to say thanks to the member who told this story, it is mentioning things that I personally didn't know about (like the different types of Bipolar)

DMG Member Story
My name is Francesca and I have type 2 bipolar, it took me over 25 years to get a diagnosis but here I am. Over the years I have faced discrimination on many fronts, mostly because people simply do not understand it's not a milder form of bipolar it's difficult. Despite this I keep going and attempt to look forward not back. My hope on this disability pride month is that mental illness is given the same normality as physical illness, and no longer should anyone be made to feel ashamed or scared life is for living, and I really hope anyone with such challenges can flourish at work with adequate support, because we have so much to gjve

Francesca x

The Disability Pride Flag is in both the bottom left and bottom right of the graphic.

022

Reposted by Shona Stuart

SNP Disabled Members Group @snp-dmg.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Hi everyone, back again here is the first story and it was written by one of our Co-Convenors ( @shona-stuart.bsky.social ) about her story. We will post one story a day.

Co-Convenor's Story
4 Part Graphic - Part 1 of 4
Hi all, I am not good at telling people properly what my condition is I normally either make a joke about it or explain as little as possible, but I will give it a go, I have a few different conditions the main ones are my anxiety, Depression and a not so well known disability called Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). I will start this story at the beginning. My depression first started as a strong force that I was struggling a lot with in secondary, but they didn't realise that the depression began before my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer and then her passing. It’s hard being a young female and having doctors listen to me, I don’t want to have to keep fighting to be believed. My anxiety started after mum was diagnosed, starting with me getting worried that something would happen during the night, so I missed a lot of schooling. My FND is the only one I can’t pinpoint when it started, as I had unknown pain in my knees and ankles when I was at school, but I could cope so long as I wasn't doing a lot of movement (PE was out of the question).

Have the disability pride flag in both the top right and left corners

Co-Convenor's Story
Part 2 / 4
After I left school my anxiety and depression got worse, but I worked through it the best I could, getting a job at McDonald's in 2020 before Covid hit. I have asthma which caused problems for me during covid. While wearing a face mask, I then started struggling to get enough air which triggered panic attacks and as I was panicking, I started to have breathing problems that would affect my asthma. I was then exempted from wearing a facemask but that caused its own problems as I started panicking that people would be judging me as I was only 19 and was saying I have medical problems. I was only employed at McDonald’s for just over a year and that was only because my anxiety got so bad I was hardly going in, plus that was when my FND started messing up and I would randomly drop things like my phone. I struggled to say the right words and I had to start using a crutch to get around as I have balance problems.

Have the disability pride flag in both the top right and left corners

Co-Convenor's Story
Part 3 / 4
It was September 2021 when I was diagnosed with FND (I was told FND is like a computer where the hardware is fine but something is wrong with the software meaning they can’t do anything but manage the pain as there is nothing on the scans I have had as it’s a communication problem that I have). It’s a hard health problem to get your head around and it’s even worse when you want to go places and do things as this limits what you can do. I was trying to help my sister with her baby when she had her own health issues for a little while, I am my dad’s carer and now I am being told I have to change the way things get done I had to re-train my brain to let me do some things I have managed to get from 2 crutches all the time to one crutch and I am currently at only needing 1 crutch outside but the work and effort it takes to do small things is a lot, I now have been trying to get into a routine for looking after the house as it is hard to know what my energy will be each day.

Have the disability pride flag in both the top right and left corners

Co-Convenor's Story
Part 4 / 4
As of now, if I overdo it one day it can take 2-3 days or maybe longer to get back to normal. My life did a 180 and I have had to try to figure out what that means for me and my future, as with all my health problems I don’t know if I can go back to work as much as I want to. Disabled people who don’t work believe me they would much rather be at work than at home or at hospital appointments, because we want to do things, but it is hard.
If you see us struggling, ask if you can help as we really appreciate the offer even if we say we can manage.

Have the disability pride flag in all four corners

032

Reposted by Shona Stuart

SNP Disabled Members Group @snp-dmg.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Over the next few days we will be posting stories from members about their disability or whatever they choose to say. We hope everyone will learn something new this Disability Pride Month.

DMG Disability Pride Month
We have asked members if they would like to share their stories this Disability Pride Month and some have said yes, so here are their stories.

052

Reposted by Shona Stuart

SNP Disabled Members Group @snp-dmg.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Everyone at the SNP DMG is devasted to hear of passing of Christina. She was a political force of nature and a true friend and ally to the disabled community.

0134

Shona Stuart @shona-stuart.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

Just going to post on here about FND awareness day today (apologies for no alt text on images I am still learning how to do them) as someone who has been diagnosed with FND I know first hand how debilitating it can be we need to make more people aware of it (doctors included)

A text saying what FND is and to go to FNDaction.org.uk for more information

011

Shona Stuart @shona-stuart.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

Just in the last month I taught my 4 year old niece a few letters in sign language and she remembered them a few weeks later it was amazing.

010

Reposted by Shona Stuart

SNP Disabled Members Group @snp-dmg.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

🧵 Labour’s Cuts Hurt Disabled People The SNP Disabled Members Group is very unhappy about the British Labour government’s plan to cut £6 billion from welfare benefits. These cuts will hurt disabled people the most. Many disabled people already struggle to afford food, heating, and basic needs 1/

SNP Disabled Members Group Statement on Labour’s £6bn Welfare Cuts

The SNP Disabled Members Group strongly condemns the British Labour government’s decision to impose £6 billion in welfare cuts, targeting some of the most vulnerable people in our society. These cuts represent an outright betrayal of disabled people and expose the devastating impact of Westminster’s austerity politics.

Disabled people across the UK already face significant barriers to employment, financial security, and basic dignity. Life costs more for disabled people. Cutting essential disability benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element of Universal Credit will push hundreds of thousands further into poverty, with Scope’s analysis warning that 700,000 more disabled households could be affected. These proposals are not only cruel but counterproductive, punishing those who need support rather than addressing systemic barriers to work and wellbeing.

Labour’s decision to follow in the footsteps of previous Tory governments by targeting disabled people for austerity is disgraceful. During the election, Labour claimed there would be “no austerity” under their leadership—yet, within weeks of taking power, they have launched a full-scale attack on those who can least afford it. Scottish Labour MPs cheering on these cuts should be ashamed, as they are directly harming their own constituents.

The SNP Disabled Members Group stands firmly with disabled people and their allies in opposing these devastating cuts. We fully support the coalition of disability organisations—including Scope, Disability Rights UK, Mind, and Citizens Advice—that have written to the Chancellor urging the government to rethink its approach. We echo their call: the needs and voices of disabled people must be at the heart of welfare reform, not an afterthought.

It is a political choice to cut benefits for disabled people while maintaining Tory fiscal rules, increasing National Insurance, and scrapping essential supports like the Winter Fuel Payment. Disabled people are not an economic burden—our rights and dignity should never be up for debate.

Westminster’s continued failure to support disabled people reinforces the urgent need for Scotland to have full control over social security, so we can build a system based on fairness, dignity, and respect.

We urge the Labour government to immediately abandon these disastrous plans. Anything less is a betrayal of the very people they claim to represent.

SNP Disabled Members Group
SNP DIsabled Members Convener
SNP National Equalities Convener

1159

Reposted by Shona Stuart

SNP Disabled Members Group @snp-dmg.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Happy International Women's Day! #IWD2025 is about #AccelerateAction and #genderequality in all its forms; Fighting for Women's Rights, reinforcing key commitments and more To read more about this year's theme please visit www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme

041

Reposted by Shona Stuart

SNP Disabled Members Group @snp-dmg.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Everyone at the DMG wishes all of our followers and fellow party members a very happy St Andrews Day

075

Shona Stuart @shona-stuart.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Carers are very important people and needs their recognition for everything they do. I have been a carer for as long as I can remember and l didn't even know it for years. Everyone should know what carers right's are as you never know when you might become a carer. #CarersRightsDay

020