Hi, I’m Kaye!

I had my first stroke when I was 37. I was put on a stroke ward and let me tell you this, most people there were double my age. After my second stroke and subsequent brain surgery, the neuro rehabilitation ward and inpatient rehab unit had a mix of ages but I was still one of the youngest ones there.

I remember an Occupational Therapist (OT) who came round once and ask if I wanted to paint a picture and then patronisingly told me how well I was doing.

The truth is it looked like someone gave a raccoon a paintbrush, locked it in a room during an earthquake, and said, ‘Express your feelings’. It was horrendous, as I was angry as I was spoken to like an 80 year old lady with dementia and hearing loss. One OT in the rehab unit got us to make paper chains whilst continually telling us how fantastic we were doing. She asked us after 10 minutes if we were having fun. I clearly remember a gentleman called James who said out loud “No, this is shit”. Thanks James, I couldn’t disagree with you more.

I was never into arts and crafts or painting prior to my brain injury, so why would I be now? I was being treated the same as the lovely Dorothy who sat in the bed opposite me, she was 78 and had been married 50 years. I was using the same mobility aid as Derek, a grandad of 20 who I met in my rehab unit. I suddenly felt I had gone into hospital with my unique style and come out as a cookie cut stroke survivor, with the same mobility aid, the same hand rails, the same orthotic and so on. One wonderful lady I met in rehab was in her early twenties but, as soon as she walked with the NHS grey walking frame, she added decades to her age.

That’s how Never Grey came about.

Acquiring or having a disability does not, in any way, take away your style or desire for fashionable clothing. I used to turn heads and now you’re lucky if I even turn up at all 😊

I need an orthotic as my foot is a little deformed because of my spasticity but footwear that fits a bulky orthotic, that are generally all recommended by the NHS, are shoes I would expect my nan to wear, not a mother of young children. I need to use a walking stick due to my shocking balance and weak left hand side, but that doesn’t mean I need to use a walking stick that my grandad would use. I want a stick to accompany that striking red dress I got for my friend's wedding that will make me feel comfortable, stylish and special.

This site is a catalogue of brands that break the mould. That shows things we buy can be beautiful and accessible. That adaptive doesn’t mean dull.

Being disabled does not strip you of your identity or personality so express it, confidently, with products on this site that are most definitely never grey.

Kaye x