Danny Berney
Nominee Profile
Location: Warwick
Hi, I’m Danny!
I have hemiplegia, a form of Cerebral Palsy, which affects the left hand side of my body. Navigating my disability in a world of able-bodied people is incredibly challenging when I stood out as being different and even every day tasks can be difficult!
I decided to start an Instagram page (@dan_hemihelp) showing life as a disabled person including clips on how someone might adapt everyday challenges like tying shoelaces, cutting food etc. I’m passionate about helping others to have an easier life and supporting them and their families although I never expected it to grow so much! The messages I receive from my channel are really heartwarming, especially when hearing from parents of children with CP who use my content as a source of help and an insight to what their child’s future could look like.
I am also a para athlete and currently am the Quadruple National Champion in my category for Javelin and the National 100m Champion. I’m writing an ebook called “F The Stereotypes” as a fitness guide for disabled people, encouraging them to break stereotypes and in this, I show adaptations for different exercises to give them the confidence to get started using my own journey for reference.
My next project in May is working with my mum who is Head Coach of Leamington Athletics Academy, to design an event for individuals with CP to try athletics. This will give them insight to specialist coaches, talks from England Athletics and importantly create a community where athletes and families can be supported whilst giving them the resources to thrive at an athletics club.
I’m honoured to have been nominated for this award by people who see me as a role model and hope that I can reach more people through this and inspire them to challenge the stereotypes of disabled people.
If I can help just one person make their life a little easier or see their disability in a positive light then it is all worth it.
I have hemiplegia, a form of Cerebral Palsy, which affects the left hand side of my body. Navigating my disability in a world of able-bodied people is incredibly challenging when I stood out as being different and even every day tasks can be difficult!
I decided to start an Instagram page (@dan_hemihelp) showing life as a disabled person including clips on how someone might adapt everyday challenges like tying shoelaces, cutting food etc. I’m passionate about helping others to have an easier life and supporting them and their families although I never expected it to grow so much! The messages I receive from my channel are really heartwarming, especially when hearing from parents of children with CP who use my content as a source of help and an insight to what their child’s future could look like.
I am also a para athlete and currently am the Quadruple National Champion in my category for Javelin and the National 100m Champion. I’m writing an ebook called “F The Stereotypes” as a fitness guide for disabled people, encouraging them to break stereotypes and in this, I show adaptations for different exercises to give them the confidence to get started using my own journey for reference.
My next project in May is working with my mum who is Head Coach of Leamington Athletics Academy, to design an event for individuals with CP to try athletics. This will give them insight to specialist coaches, talks from England Athletics and importantly create a community where athletes and families can be supported whilst giving them the resources to thrive at an athletics club.
I’m honoured to have been nominated for this award by people who see me as a role model and hope that I can reach more people through this and inspire them to challenge the stereotypes of disabled people.
If I can help just one person make their life a little easier or see their disability in a positive light then it is all worth it.