Emmagayle lives with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). She shares her journey into becoming a journalist, running the Disability Journalism Forum, and what she’s learnt over the years about following your passion. Becoming a journalist took guts – and someone to believe in me.
How I found my voice as a disabled journalist
Growing up as a working-class kid just outside Glasgow, journalism felt like something that happened far away from where I was. I loved English at school, and my mum had always encouraged me to consider a career in journalism, but I didn’t always believe there would be a place for me in the media.
After taking some time out when my mum passed away, I returned to college as a mature student and completed my HND in Practical Journalism.
“Working in journalism with FSHD, having an accessible environment makes a world of difference. I was worried about what the world of work would have in store for me as a full-time wheelchair user.”
In 2021, I started a six-month internship with News UK, working across both The Sun and The Scottish Sun as a features writer. Coming into journalism in my mid-twenties as a wheelchair user, I didn’t think the industry would take a chance on me. Thankfully, someone saw potential in me that I couldn’t see in myself yet. That opportunity gave me the confidence and experience to break into the industry.
During that time, I gained invaluable newsroom experience in London during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. Being in a busy newsroom environment was a dream come true. Since then, being able to work hybrid has been brilliant, especially when my energy is low and fatigue sets in from my FSHD. It allows me to stay focused without pushing myself too hard physically while still feeling fully connected to the rest of the team in the newsroom.
Now I run the letters desk for a national paper. It’s really important to me to make sure we reflect our readers’ voices and curate a balanced representation of what people are talking about in the news that week. I’m always keeping myself up to speed on the news of the day, which means I’m usually the go-to for my friends and family when they want to know what’s happening in the world!
Running the Disability Journalism Forum is one of my biggest achievements
Being a co-founder of the Disability Journalism Forum in 2022 is honestly one of the proudest parts of my career.
“Watching us grow from a small, passionate group of disabled journalists, allies, and industry professionals, dedicated to improving the journalism landscape, into what we are today proves how much appetite there is for real change in the media.”
Coming into this industry as a working-class, disabled journalist from Glasgow I know how hard it can be to get started. That’s why I’m so passionate about pushing this conversation across the UK. The barriers are very real. We need to make sure smaller regional newsrooms across the country are giving disabled journalists a fair chance to get the same experience as their non-disabled colleagues.
We’re keeping that momentum going for our fourth conference on 18 September 2026 at Leeds Beckett University. This year’s theme is ‘Creating Connections’, and we’re covering everything from regional reporting and tech innovations to creative careers and mentorship. It’s completely free to attend, either in person or online via livestream.
My life outside of journalism
Outside of work, I love reading, watching my TV shows and movies and playing video games. Music is a big part of my life too and I’m a huge My Chemical Romance fan, so I enjoy going to concerts whenever I can. I also love spending time with my friends, family and my husband John and our dog.
John and I met online in 2013, when we were both about 17, and we have been together ever since. I was still walking when we met, though my FSHD affected my mobility. John helped me stop fighting the idea of using a wheelchair, and I realised it was actually the thing that gave me back my freedom. We got married at the end of August 2026, surrounded by our closest family and friends. It was such a special day, and thankfully the usual Scottish rain took the day off.
If you want to get into journalism, write wherever you can
Navigating journalism and life with a disability is challenging, I won’t pretend otherwise. But it is a challenge that’s so worth it. I want young disabled people to know they can do this too.
“My advice to anyone who enjoys writing but isn’t sure whether they have the confidence to pursue it is simple: keep writing.”
Start a blog, build a small website, write wherever you can and put your work out into the world. Look for internships, local newspaper opportunities, volunteering or any way to get experience. Add it to your CV, because it all counts and it could just lead to something amazing.
