Sophie Morgan – Favourite Things

Sophie Morgan is a British television presenter and disability advocate. At 18, Morgan was paralysed from the chest down in a car crash, changing her life forever. Today, she is a guest panellist on Loose Women, presented the London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and was voted one of the Top 10 of the most influential people with a disability in the UK. She hosts and produces the podcast, Equal Too: Achieving Disability Equality, and fronted the Channel 4 series, Living Wild: How to Change your Life. Morgan’s memoir, Driving Forwards: A journey of resilience and empowerment after life-changing injury, is out now.

These are a few of Sophie Morgan’s favourite things…

RYKER motorbikes

My RYKER is a three-wheeled motorbike, and it is my favourite thing in the world. It is made by a Canadian brand called Can-Am, and I discovered it about four years ago when I was looking for a vehicle that could make me feel as free as possible. I had this dream of driving around the world on a motorbike, but I can’t physically ride a motorbike because of my disability. I saw the RYKER, fell in love with it immediately and had it adapted so that I could ride it (it wasn’t designed for someone with my disability). The RYKER is perfect as it is inherently stabilising, and I have had a mount added to put my chair on the back. Riding it is the ultimate feeling of freedom, it’s so fun. I have ridden it all over the UK, but I think the best place so far was the west coast of Scotland and around Glencoe. 

Family 

When I had my crash at 18, I was just at the point where I was thinking about leaving the nest and waving goodbye to my parents. I had no intention of spending more time with them, and I was ready to be a grown-up. Then, I had my crash and ended up in the hospital, and they never left my side. My mum was sleeping on the floor in the hospital at times, and I am so grateful to her for that; she saved my life. My dad was also so pivotal in my recovery and gave me back so much confidence. He loves bringing people together and would get all of our friends around, which helped bring me back to myself. And my brother too, who has always said, wherever he goes, I can go, he will always lend me his legs. 

Driving Forward

I have just written a memoir called Driving Forward, and holding it in my hands is the most surreal and overwhelming experience. It tells the story of what happened to me and all of the things I have done since, so to be able to sit and treasure it is amazing. I lived 18 years non-disabled and have now lived another 18 years since my crash and written a book. I am at the beginning of the next chapter, so it is great to have this book to look back on what I have achieved. It is such a joy, whether people read it or not; I’m 36 years old, and I’ve lived such a life that I am able to write a book — I am very proud of that and very grateful to have had the opportunities I’ve had.

Batec

Another gadget, I love a gadget, but the Batec is a wheelchair attachment that clicks onto the front of the chair, and it makes it battery powered. I use a manual wheelchair (which could also be on this list), but this enables my chair to go about 20-30 miler per hour, it is absolutely amazing. The Batec allows me to go around London independently and I don’t have to go on public transport (which is so inaccessible anyway). It is so much fun, I can go out with my friends when they’re on their bikes, and it makes the experience of being in a wheelchair fine — instead of being tough and difficult. It opens up my entire world, and I am so grateful for it.

My parent’s house in Provence

About ten years ago, my parents bought a plot of land in the South of France. They slowly built a house there, and it is heaven. It is called Pala, and it’s a lovely house in the hills in the wine country in Provence with the most beautiful views. It is the place where my family all comes together away from our busy lives, and I get to bring my friends there too. Everything was designed with me in mind, working with an architect to make sure all of my needs would be looked after and make it completely accessible. It is my happy place. I am very lucky. 

Enjoyed Sophie Morgan’s favourites? Explore last week’s Favourite Things here.