Paddy Smyth has opened up about representing the disabled community in Ireland.
Speaking to Goss.ie at our 10th birthday bash, Paddy confessed he believes “this is our time” as he spoke about disabled people being represented on TV.
The disabled activist and social media star was born with cerebral palsy, which affects a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture.
Picture Brian McEvoy
Paddy was asked how important it is to him to represent the disabled community in Ireland to which he confessed it is “massively important.”
The activist continued: ” I think that people don’t realise how much it is overlooked.”
“I’m really a believer that if you can see it you can be it.”
“I hope I’m that for those people out there that don’t feel like they can be anything or they’re looking at a screen being like ‘I can’t see myself on that screen’.”
He insisted: “I want to be that person. I want to bring people forward and this is our time.”
Paddy said he hopes to see more representation on screen going forward, following the success of shows like Sex Education.
He said: “I would absolutely love it. I think more representation is key across the board.”
“Whether that be LGBT, whether that be in disability, whether that be black people, trans people.”
“I think representation across the board is key and shows like Sex Education are pinnacle in that.”
Paddy added, teasing what is next for him: “Watch this space, I may have something coming.”
Back in 2019, the Dublin native won Channel 4 gameshow The Circle, scooping a £70k cash prize.
Last year, the social media star also won praise after fronting an emotional BBC documentary about his disability, titled ‘Should I Be Fixed?’
In the documentary, Paddy delved into the scientific advances available to him for his cerebral palsy whilst also asking himself the question: If he could fix his cerebral palsy, would he even want to?
Watch Paddy’s full interview here:
