Lucy Dawson, a 24 year old model and campaigner from Lincoln, went from being a student in her final year of university to being sectioned in error and permanently disabled after falling ill with encephalitis, a rare and easily misdiagnosed inflammation of the brain.

After suffering drastic personality changes and seizures, Dawson was forced to relearn how to speak, write and walk following the illness, but has since managed to beat the odds to become a successful full time model, working with brands including Ann Summers and PrettyLittleThing. Passionate about disability visibility in fashion and the wider media, Dawson uses her platform as a model and public speaker to raise awareness on the topic and has become known for proudly featuring her crutches and leg splint in her body positive Instagram posts.