01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
‘It's OK to be different': Gwent author champions Disability Pride
Gavin Clifton, of Pentwynmawr, who was born with cerebral palsy and a severe speech impairment, was among the guest speakers and performers at the disability equality charity Scope's 'Celebration of Disability Pride Month 2025', held at The Senedd in Cardiff.
Gavin, 43, a children's author, speaker and songwriter, known as 'The Disabled Writer,' said: 'It's a tremendous honour, not just for me personally, but for what it represents.'
The former South Wales Argus employee, who uses an Augmentative and Alternative Communication device to support his speech, spoke about his journey of living with Cerebral Palsy and the challenges it brings, using AI-voice assistive technology.
The author of 'Cerebral Palsy & Me' said: 'It's OK to be different. Accept yourself, and accept others too.
'This event is a crucial platform for advocacy and awareness and a chance to reflect, to challenge, and to celebrate what it really means to be disabled and proud in Wales today.'
'For me, it's a time to celebrate everything we are, while also pushing for the change we still need.'
Disability Pride Month was a grass roots movement, which began in Boston, USA in 1990. It started as a day of celebration which grew into a month and is marked worldwide.
The event's sponsor, Mark Isherwood, MS and chairman of the Senedd's cross party group on disability, said: 'Although Disability Pride Month is vibrant, joyful, unapologetic and inclusive, it is also a call to action, because pride isn't just about celebration—it's about change. It's about removing barriers, transforming attitudes, and creating a society where disabled people can thrive.'
