A mum who became paralysed from the waist down while putting away the Aldi shop has been nominated for a business award.
Debbie-Lyn Connolly-Lloyd had just done the school run and was putting away the weekly shop when her legs started feeling numb and heavy on June 27 last year. The now 41-year-old was rushed to hospital where she was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder - a debilitating disability where her brain stops sending messages to her legs.
The mum-of-four, from Birkdale, said she was "absolutely terrified" by what had happened but she was determined not to let her disability define her as she prepared for life on crutches. Sadly Debbie-Lyn told the ECHO this week that her legs have got worse and she is now in a wheelchair.
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Debbie-Lyn said: "The last year has been really hard - I have had to change the way I do a lot of things. I struggle walking and fall over a lot - one day I can fall over as many as 10 times. I have just received my custom wheelchair.
"This should give me more freedom as the one I had before didn't fit in my house. I had to use a crutch to get around my home.
"It's been a big change for the kids because I can't do things like I used to. But they have been wonderful - they have helped with lots of jobs around the house to make my life easier."
But Debbie-Lyn, who previously enjoyed a career as a curve model and makeup artist, is determined to stay positive. She said "the future is still bright for me" and "I will not let this disability define me".
When she spoke with the ECHO last year, Debbie-Lyn had set a goal of walking down the runway at Liverpool Fashion Week in October 2022. But sadly she was unable to do so - and added she now wants to help get more disability recognition into the fashion industry.
Debbie-Lyn said: "After I was cancelled from the fashion show I decided I wanted to take things into my own hands. I am unable to work as a makeup artist now but I am harnessing strength from my new disability by striving to increase visibility for disabled people in the fashion world."
The mum has brought out her own curvy fashion range called DL Apparel, which focuses on bold and colourful prints for women to celebrate their bodies. She is also organising her own fashion show in October and has urged anyone of any age, size, colour and sexual orientation to contact her to be a part of the show.
Debbie-Lyn has now been announced as a finalist in the Business Success Recognition Awards in the overcoming adversity category. She also was recently awarded a Pride of Sefton award in a similar category.
Stacey Calder, who established the Business Success Recognition Awards, said: "Not only have I had the privilege of reading over 300 entries, it makes me incredibly proud to be able to give a platform for small businesses to not only recognise their achievements, but to give them a way to raise their profile and showcase what they do."
Speaking about her nomination, Debbie-Lyn said: "It's been really nice to see the response to what has happened. The more I do, the more reach I have, and I want to make sure people with disabilities are visible."
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