A WOMAN who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when she was born has set up her own service to help others, like her, with disabilities.

Danielle Farrel, who lives in Irvine has set up 'Your Options Understood' (Y.O.U) as a way of offering advice to those with disabilities as well as parents and carers through the help of the Princess Trust and Business Gateway in Ayr and is hoping to expand her services to South Ayrshire.

Y.O.U. offers independent advice in terms of living with a disability in areas such as self directed support where Danielle shares her own experiences of life with a disability.

The 30-year-old advocating for those living with a physical impairment and offering consultations and training to those with disabled people. 

She is meeting with South Ayrshire Council to discuss providing support to an individual with the same condition as herself. 

Speaking about her recent venture Danielle said: "I was coming to the end of my PhD at university last year. I was having a conversation with someone who said to me 'you are the one person who could help others with disabilities'.

"I thought if I did not try I would not know so I contacted the Business Gateway who put me in touch with the Princess Trust and awarded me a £250 grant.

"The service differs from others because I have a disability. We are able to offer a first hand experience and advice. I have been in a wheel chair since I was born."

Danielle did an undergraduate course at UWS Ayr's campus and worked as a research assistant there too before going onto study her masters at the UWS in Paisley.

She went to the Princess Trust in April last year and again in August before starting her business.

"I feel that people want to speak to someone who knows what they are talking about and can relate because they have had their own experiences," Danielle explained.

"Sometimes they [parents] might get a diagnoses for a child but I want to show them a different perspective of this diagnosis. It doesn't have to be bad. I am proof of that. It is only my legs that don't work."

Danielle attended primary school in Kilbirnie before Ashcraig special needs secondary school, in its previous form, in Glasgow.

She added: "They prepared me me for the real world and gave me the opportunity to go to college once a week in sixth year. Ashcraig was the next step for me as they sent me on my journey."

Danielle is currently working from home but is hoping to expand soon. To find out more visit http://youroptionsunderstood.co.uk/about-us/4589490798.