'I want to change the image of disability'

Fleur Samways was 15 when she was taken to hospital after suffering with intense vomiting, fatigue and pain in her abdomen.

She was diagnosed with a form of inflammatory bowel disease called acute severe ulcerative colitis.

Two months and one operation later, she was discharged wearing an ostomy bag, which collects waste from her intestine.

And now she is showcasing her disability to break down barriers.

The 19-year-old University of Southampton student works part-time for a modelling agency - so when she was given the opportunity to take part in a photoshoot showing people with disabilities in a new light, she was delighted.

“For people like me, when we actually do see ourselves being represented in any media, it all just feels a lot more normal," says Fleur.

The shoot was set up by the Business Disability Forum to create its Disability Smart Image Bank, which businesses and media outlets can use when they need stock images.

It will contain hundreds of photographs depicting people with a wide range of disabilities and conditions in everyday situations - like at an airport.

"At the airport it was really fun," says Fleur.

"It was really nice to work with people who are also disabled and know that you're all working towards the same goal."

Before her diagnosis, Fleur struggled with the uncertainty around what was happening with her health.

"I was really in a shell because I didn't know what was going on with my body," she says.

"After the operation I was much more healthy and confident and I think it's changed my life for the better."

Fleur says that she had a great support group around her when she was first diagnosed and encourages people not to be afraid to speak about their disabilities.

"I think just try and normalise it and society will then normalise it and it will become easier for you to live your day-to-day life".

Lara Davis, the forum's communications director, works with businesses and employers to improve the services available to their employees who are disabled.

"We did research that showed disabled people feel underrepresented and misrepresented in images both in the media and in advertising," she says.

She says the aim of the campaign is to create a series of images to show what living with a disability is really like.

"We're hoping that businesses will also use these to represent diversity because the disabled community is just as diverse as the rest of the population."

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