Iona is a passionate advocate for disability inclusion in sport, law, and healthcare. Born with bilateral clubfoot, she underwent surgery as a baby and again in September 2022. Despite the challenges of living with a disability, she has turned these experiences into opportunities to drive change. As the founder of Disability and the Bar, she is breaking down barriers for disabled legal professionals, fostering a network of support and advocacy within the legal sector. This year, she was a digital delegate for UN Women’s CW659.

A former footballer and the youngest black belt in Taekwondo in Hampshire at age six, her sporting career was cut short due to injury and the worsening of her disability. However, her commitment to football has never wavered. Having lost her father at a young age, who was a strong advocate for her inclusion in sport, she has continued his legacy, ensuring that young disabled athletes have the opportunities and support he fought for. She collaborates and volunteers with Chelsea FC, the FA, and the Global Clubfoot Initiative to promote disability inclusion in football and create pathways for future generations.

Her advocacy extends beyond sport and into healthcare, shaped by her lifelong experience as a patient. From infancy, Iona was under the care of Mr Magnus McLaren at Queen Alexandra Hospital until 2017, when she transitioned to Mr Tim Sinnett at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital. Through the support of her NHS team, including Miss Sarah Mills (another consultant in a different speciality) and Mr Barry Crane (physiotherapist), she has been able to access specialist treatment that has shaped her journey in navigating multiple complex medical challenges. Their expertise and dedication have reinforced her determination to improve treatment pathways, ensuring that disabled patients receive the care and accessibility they need within the healthcare system and that all patients have access to trauma-informed healthcare.

Alongside her advocacy in sport, she is also committed to building platforms that amplify the voices of medical professionals, fostering a community where expertise and insights can be shared. By highlighting those who make a difference in patients’ lives, she aims to drive positive change and awareness in healthcare.

Inspired by the personal advice of Emma Hayes who once said to her, “Get yourself to a place where you are going to play, and who knows what your future holds at this level”, she has embraced the belief that disability is not about limitations but about opportunities.

Through her work, she is redefining what is possible, ensuring that disabled individuals have a voice, visibility, and a pathway to success across sport, law, and healthcare.