Breaking The Disability Mould

Joanne Lockwood is joined by Lindsay Mitchison, an award-winning disabled entrepreneur and founder of NeoWalk, to talk about what it means to “break the disability mould” and reclaim agency after life-changing health events.

Lindsay shares the story of a catastrophic MRSA infection following knee surgery, the long period of pain and loss of mobility that followed, and why choosing amputation became a way to take control back. Together they explore rehabilitation, learning to use a prosthetic, and how identity and confidence can shift when you move from being defined by what happened to you to actively shaping what comes next.

The conversation also looks beyond personal experience to the realities of living in a world not designed for disabled people—from inaccessible spaces and poor facilities to everyday assumptions and stigma. Lindsay describes how community connection and visibility matter, why disabled people should be spoken to directly rather than about, and how assistive technology can be both functional and an expression of style.

Lindsay also reflects on building NeoWalk—creating bespoke acrylic walking sticks that spark confidence, invite connection, and help turn a mobility aid into something people feel proud to use. The episode closes with a clear message about choice, dignity, and belonging, and the practical need for society and organisations to remove barriers instead of hiding behind excuses.