A BARNSLEY MP who was born with a congenital disability which affects all four of her limbs marked Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month for the first time in a decade.
A newly-formed alliance - invited to Parliament - unites six leading UK charities representing the limb loss and limb difference community including Reach, Finding Your Feet, LimbPower, SteelBones, Amputation Foundation and Blesma.
Along with Marie, the alliance launched a powerful new national campaign to drive long-term change, which raises key issues affecting the limb loss and limb difference community, and discussed recommendations for government at a summit which brought lived experience to the heart of Westminster.
Access to mental health support, inequalities in prosthetics assessments, improving representation and changing public attitudes were all highlighted as key issues that need to be addressed.
Marie, who represents Penistone and Stocksbridge, said: “I’m immensely proud to be the first MP to be elected with congenital limb difference, so it was an honour to host the alliance in Parliament to mark our awareness month.
“The charities do incredible work to support young people and families across the country.
“I’d encourage you to look at their websites for the support they have available.
“From discussions around mental health, prosthetics provision and representation on our screens, it was incredible to bring our community together and hear the powerful voices of the youth ambassadors in Westminster.
“I want to make sure every young person with limb loss and limb difference knows they can achieve whatever they set their minds to.
“Our campaign work is about more than awareness, it’s about increasing visibility, understanding and real change.
“This is just the beginning.”
This campaign comes at a ‘critical time’, according to Marie, with around one in 1,900 babies being born with a limb difference, meaning thousands of children and families require ongoing support, prosthetic care and rehabilitation.
A spokesperson for the Limb Loss and Limb Difference Alliance said: “This moment marks a powerful step forward for the limb loss and limb difference community.
“By coming together as an alliance, we are ensuring that lived experience is not only heard but placed at the heart of national conversations and decision-making.
“For too long, people of all ages and their families have faced unnecessary barriers to support, access, inclusion, rehabilitation and life after rehabilitation.
“Awareness in Parliament is about changing that.
“Together, we are calling for better access to mental health services, fair and consistent prosthetic provision and greater representation across society.
“By working collaboratively, we are stronger, louder and more determined than ever to ensure that every person with limb loss or limb difference can thrive with full access to opportunity and support.”
