Stephanie Leaf, 24, from Cottingham, East Yorkshire, has been appointed as Event Ambassador for The 2016 Mobility Roadshow and Get Going Live! at Silverstone Circuit, Northants. 26-28th May.

Stephanie lives with Friedreich’s Ataxia, a rare progressive disease that causes damage to the nervous system and affects coordination. A regular annual visitor and volunteer at The Mobility Roadshow she has found the event crucial when researching accessible vehicles and assistive products for independent mobility.

The free-to-attend Mobility Roadshow is the UK’s premier consumer focussed event for people of all ages living with restricted mobility. Organised by charity Mobility Choice, it provides visitors with unique test- driving opportunities in adapted and wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVS) around the historic Silverstone circuit. The Mobility Roadshow also displays the largest range of specialist adapted driving controls at any UK disability event. The popular Get Going Live! feature for young and novice drivers with disabilities, age 16 plus, provides free test drives in the safe presence of a professional driver, the chance to try an impressive range of adapted controls and even take a mock theory test. Plus, inside the Silverstone Wing, a diverse showcase of mobility products, including wheelchairs, scooters and trikes, are available to compare at leisure.

Stephanie first noticed her mobility had altered whilst taking her GCSEs but successfully managed to complete her exams. However, starting driving lessons soon after in a manual car left her struggling, and she changed to an automatic after a few lessons. It was at this point that Stephanie’s instructor introduced the idea of hand controls which she subsequently found much easier than using her feet. Having passed her driving test in July 2012, Stephanie found visiting The Mobility Roadshow invaluable in helping her decide on a suitable accessible vehicle purchase with adaptations and controls to meet her requirements. Read Stephanie’s full story here