Getting to Know Pippa Stacey
Pippa Stacey is a disabled writer, speaker, and influencer based in York. She also works as a communication consultant in the charity sector, with a particular interest in inclusive education and employment for people with chronic illnesses like her own.
She's a published author and uses her lived experiences to help inform policy and practice in the UK. Through blogging about life with chronic illness she's grown a sizable community on social media, and for the past two years has been named in the Disability Power 100 as one of the most influential disabled people in the UK. In her free time, Pippa enjoys theatre, books, and brunch, and can usually be found in novelty pyjamas with a cup of tea in hand.
With a debilitating chronic condition, Pippa navigated university life with all of its ups and downs and created a guide to help other disabled students with their university journey. The small but mighty, ‘University and Chronic Illness A Survival Guide’ is packed with information, tips and tricks, and advice about going to university with a chronic illness. It takes you through the university process, from choosing a university and a degree to the application process, advice on studying, and much more. It’s a must-have for anyone considering university or at university with a disability.
As a disabled student myself, I relate to Pippa’s experiences of being chronically ill at university which she touches on in her book. It is not an easy ride being a disabled student, especially with multiple disabilities, but Pippa’s guide has really helped me through my first year at university.
Pippa’s book has its own special place on my home bookcase and travels with me to university during term time, never far from my reach. The freshers' week section was a lifesaver during my first week at university, especially the conversation starters, alternative events to going clubbing, and the heads up about freshers’ flu (which is actually a thing, much to my dismay). I also frequently find myself returning to the day-to-day living section when I’m finding things particularly hard, and I love the personal anecdotes from real people with disabilities sharing their experiences and advice.
I was lucky enough to be able to interview Pippa and ask her some questions about her life and her book. Here is what she had to say…
What would you like people to take away from your book?
My main goal with the book was to help people make the most of their university experience as a disabled student: not just struggle through it, but have an amazing, enjoyable time as well. I picked up all kinds of helpful tips and tricks during my own experiences that I knew could make life a little easier for others, so I hope people come away from the book feeling informed and empowered for their new journey.
Is there anything you wanted to include in your book, but didn’t?
I made a real effort to cover the whole student experience, rather than just the academic/studying side - so much of university life is made up of living independently for the first time, making friends and socialising, learning how to manage your money, and I hope I've created something that reflects the fact that academics isn't the be all and end all of going to university. But if I could go back and do it again, I would have loved to include some tips for graduation day too!
What would you say to your younger self at university?
Pippa, chill. There's no right way to be a student. You don't have to do it all and be out partying every night to feel like you're doing things the way you're supposed to. If you put your wellbeing first, you'll be able to do so much more than if you're booming and busting through every single day. Also, you're going to get hooked on co-op's hand-crafted massive crisp bags. Start budgeting for that now.
You left university 7 years ago now, what’s life been like for you since then?
Goodness, time flies! Moving into adult life and the world of work has come with plenty of challenges and I often second-guessed the choices I was making, but I think I've ended up exactly where I'm supposed to be. I'm a freelance writer, speaker, and communication consultant in the charity sector, and I absolutely love it. I'm very lucky to have an online audience too, and I hope to share helpful and comforting content that reminds people that they're not alone.
From your Instagram, I've seen you've got an impeccable bookcase, do you have any books you’d particularly recommend to disabled people?
Thank you! That bookcase is my pride and joy. There are some fabulous books out there by disabled authors, but my favourites include A Still Life by Josie George, Within These Four Walls by Mindfully Evie, and You Are The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread by Samantha Renke. And if you ask me again this time next year, I might be able to tell you about a new one to add to that list too…
I guess we’ll have to wait and see what Pippa has up her sleeve.
An essential addition to a disabled student’s bookcase, Pippa’s guide is available to purchase via her website here. You can read more about her book on her blog here and watch her YouTube video about it here.
This article was written by Emma Baker, a student at the University of Warwick who joined SIC for a summer placement in Summer 2023.