Amelia Pendlebury, Candidate for Disabled & Specific Learning Difference Representative

The role of Disabled and Specific Learning Difficulties Representative (BLSA) will give you a great opportunity to create that change. You will gather feedback and represents the interests of Barts and The London students with disabilities and specific learning difficulties and be their voice on the issues they face. You’ll work with the Vice President Communities and have the chance to contribute to campaigns and events like Disability Awareness Fortnight.

What's your favourite moment from being a student here?

That's a tough one, but I think those moments of freedom and peace after exams, in the summer sun with no more flashcards left to do, surrounded by my wonderful BL friends, are hard to beat.

What's something you've done that you're proud of?

Surviving the first year of GEP medicine definitely is something I'm very proud of, haha. But more recently, I think being able to accept myself where I am at, and truly leaning into looking after myself, through the marathon that is medical school. Being able to face the world with the knowledge that I've got my own back has really changed things for me.

What is a problem facing students and how do you propose to fix it?

There is unfortunately still massive stigma facing students with disabilities in medical school. The accommodations are lacking, and there seems to be no drive for greater awareness and acceptance of disabled students. I aim to change that through liasing with the university, running awareness campaigns, and trying to bring the wealth of information out there about disabilities to our students. I want to show that it really is possible to thrive as a disabled medical student!