A Q&A with Isaac Harvey: Storytelling, Representation, and the Power of Lived Experience

Summary

In this Q&A, Isaac shares with us his honest reflections on advocacy, education, and the importance of listening to lived experience.

From Adventures to Advocacy

Isaac Harvey has built a remarkable path as a storyteller whose honesty, creativity and lived experience have resonated with people around the world. His journey into advocacy wasn’t planned or strategic; it grew naturally from a love of sharing moments, documenting adventures, and connecting with others. Today, Isaac’s voice stands as a catalyst for change. Through his storytelling, public speaking, and everyday interactions, he continues to inspire people to challenge assumptions and embrace a more inclusive, realistic understanding of disability. And so, rather than summarise his journey, it feels only right to hand the microphone to Isaac.

You’ve been active in advocacy, what drives you to take on that role? 

“Way before I would have called myself an advocate, I enjoyed sharing stories. That started through content creation, mainly videos. I followed a lot of YouTubers who filmed their everyday lives, and I loved the idea of doing something similar. At the time, it was never about disability. It was just about going out, having experiences and documenting them. 

I started creating videos of my adventures like skiing, skydiving and tall ship sailing. I was showing my disability, but I was not talking about it. I did not see the point back then. Over time, I began to realise the impact these videos were having and how people were engaging with them. 

That is when I slowly added the layer of talking about my disability. At first, it felt strange and uncomfortable, but over time it became more natural. Everyday life with a disability comes with its own experiences, lessons and people you meet along the way. Some stories are challenging, while others are fulfilling. 

Often, all it takes is one comment or personal message from someone saying they appreciated what I shared or that it gave them a different perspective. In that moment, I realise why I do what I do. Even if it is sometimes a subconscious thing, that impact is what drives me. I will always see myself as a storyteller first and an advocate second, but if it leads to meaningful impact, I cannot complain.”

Why do you think representation of disabled people in media and education is so important?

What role do you think schools and universities should play in changing cultural perceptions of disability? 

“I spoke at a head teachers’ conference at the end of 2025, which was an opportunity I never thought I would have. As someone who could not wait to leave school towards the end of secondary school, I never imagined I would one day be speaking to head teachers. Being in that room and sharing my lived experience of school, both the positives and the negatives, really took me down memory lane. 

What stood out most was feeling listened to by the head teachers in the room. These are the people who have the power to change how schools work and how understanding of disability is shaped, not only through policies but through how teachers are educated and supported. 

Schools and universities play a key role because they shape the next generation of young people. If understanding and inclusion are taught early, even in small ways, it stays with people. It can influence how they think and act later in life, even subconsciously. 

By listening and learning at this stage, education settings can help change perceptions of those with disabilities. Over time, it becomes natural to recognise disability as part of everyday life, rather than something negative or separate.”

What advice would you give to educators, policymakers, or community leaders who want to create more inclusive environments? 

“If there is one thing I have learned from being pushed by a broken system and having to fight for basic needs, it is that lived experience is often missing from these spaces. Too many decisions are made using tick boxes instead of real conversations with people. 

A lot of time, energy, and money is wasted when decisions are made without involving the person affected. Many of the challenges I faced could have been avoided if conversations had happened from the beginning and decisions were made with the individual in mind. 

If we truly want to create inclusive environments, we need to speak to the people it will affect. You cannot assume what will work for someone without asking them first. At the same time, listening to one person does not mean you have the full picture. Everyone’s experience is different. 

It is important to speak to a range of people and accept that you will not get everything right straight away. You will make mistakes, and you will need to learn as you go. That is okay. What matters is that you are trying and willing to listen.”

What advice would you give to young people with a disability who want to become advocates themselves?

“It is not easy, and not for the reasons most people think. Getting into advocacy means being vulnerable, honest and ready for criticism. It is one thing to advocate in your everyday life for issues you are facing, but it is different to share your voice with others, whether that is online or in person. 

Sharing your experiences more widely can bring mixed emotions. Sometimes your words will reach a lot of people and other times they may only reach a few. That can make you question yourself, but it does not take away from the value of what you are sharing. 

Your voice matters, even if it reaches just one person. That one person might need to hear it to realise they are not alone, or it might help someone understand how they can offer better support. 

Advocacy does not have to look one specific way. It does not always mean being online. The same principles apply whether you are speaking in a room, sharing a post or having a conversation. How you use your voice is your choice. Do not feel pressured to do it the way others do. If it works for you, then it is enough.”

Listening as a Path to Change

Isaac’s reflections remind us that real inclusion doesn’t start with policies, or perfectly worded statements; it starts with people. It starts with the courage to listen, the willingness to learn, and the humility to recognise that lived experience is one of the most powerful forms of expertise we have.

What stands out most about Isaac is not just what he has achieved, but how he has chosen to show up in the world. He leads with honesty, vulnerability, and a deep belief in the value of sharing stories. His journey shows that advocacy isn’t always loud or polished; sometimes it’s a quiet moment of truth that reaches exactly the person who needs it. Sometimes it’s simply saying, “This is my experience…maybe it will help you understand yours.”

At SEND Tutoring, Isaac’s work continues to resonate with us. We know that every child, every family, and every educator carries their own story. Inclusion should never be treated as a checklist. For us, inclusion is a relationship built through conversations, through curiosity, and through the kind of listening that Isaac champions so naturally. His words challenge us to slow down, to ask better questions, and to make space for voices that haven’t always been heard.

Isaac reminds us that change doesn’t happen all at once. It happens in the small, consistent choices we make: choosing to listen rather than assume, choosing to involve rather than decide on behalf of someone, choosing to see disability as part of the richness of human experience rather than something separate from it.

His message is a powerful call to action for all of us educators, families, leaders, and communities. If we want to build environments where every young person feels seen and supported, we must start by valuing the insights of those who live these experiences every day. We must be willing to get things wrong, to try again, and to keep learning.

Isaac’s voice is a reminder that inclusion is possible, and it’s transformative. When we listen deeply, with intention and respect, we not only change systems. We change lives. ​​To stay connected with Isaac’s work and the stories he continues to share, follow his journey across social media.

Support for Every Learner

Discover how SEND Tutoring supports students with a wide range of learning needs and disabilities, including epilepsy, PDA, cerebral palsy, autism, and more. 

Resources and Insights 

Looking for more practical tools and expert guidance? Visit our resources page for additional blogs, strategies, and helpful links.

Stay Connected 

Follow us on social media for updates, tips, and stories from our SEND community.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Ella Jones

If you’re looking for support for a child or young person with special educational needs or a disability, book a free call with us today and find out how we can help.