Disabled individual defends self-interest in having children, citing savings of approximately £3,400 during summer vacations by avoiding holiday clubs.
Amelia Peckham, a 39-year-old CEO from the UK, is a woman of many roles. She is the proud mother of Rufus (7) and Ralph (5), the co-founder and CEO of Cool Crutches and Walking Sticks, based in Harrogate, and an advocate for disability rights.
This summer, Amelia has made a deliberate choice to take the entire summer holidays off work to spend quality time with her children. This decision is a testament to her commitment to her family, despite facing criticism for having children due to her disability.
Amelia's summer plans include visiting museums with free entry for some exhibits and events for kids. Local parks offer playgrounds, games areas, courts, splash pads, and trails for the children to enjoy. On rainy days, libraries provide books, audiobooks, and DVDs for indoor entertainment.
Board games like Monopoly and Scrabble are being used for family entertainment, while playdates with friends are being arranged for afternoons of socializing. The beach can be enjoyed for activities like rock pooling, crabbing, sandcastle building, and walks along the headland, regardless of the weather.
Amelia's physical limitations do not affect her parenting, as she believes they have equipped her for parenthood. She takes pride in her ability to prioritize her health and happiness, ensuring that she can be fully present for her children.
Amelia's husband, Andrew, is "incredibly proactive" and has balanced roles as parents with her. This shared responsibility allows Amelia to take time off from her business without worrying about the day-to-day operations.
Amelia's decision to take the summer off does not mean she is slacking. Instead, it demonstrates her ambition in building a thriving business. By taking this time off, she estimates she will save £3,420 by not paying for school holiday clubs.
Amelia's story is one of balancing leadership in business while navigating and advocating for disability rights and motherhood. She is involved in initiatives related to disability entrepreneurship and finance, including her role at The Lilac Centre for Disabled Entrepreneurship and contributions to The Disability Finance Code, supporting disabled communities in business.
Despite facing barriers such as being denied Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in 2018, with assessors telling her she was not "disabled enough," Amelia continues to advocate for disability rights. Her story underscores the challenges and societal judgments faced by disabled parents but also highlights the importance of prioritizing family time during the holidays.
- Amelia Peckham, in her role as a mother, plans to engage her children in various educational experiences this summer, such as visiting museums and local parks.
- In addition to exploring outdoors, Amelia and her family will also enjoy indoor activities like playing board games and reading books from the library during rainy days.
- Amelia's commitment to her family extends beyond parenting, as she also values her health and wellness, ensuring she can be fully present for her children.
- Amelia's devotion to her family and advocacy for disability rights is further demonstrated by her involvement in initiatives like The Lilac Centre for Disabled Entrepreneurship and The Disability Finance Code, supporting disabled communities in business.
