Praise for prolific Wrexham author from local politicians

A Wrexham author, who has recently published her second book hoping to break the stigma associated with disability, has been praised by the city’s MS and MP.

‘Disabling Ableism’ was officially released in April this year by Samantha Maxwell and Lesley Griffiths MS and Andrew Ranger MP both recently met up with Ms Maxwell to congratulate her on her impressive achievements.

After sharing her own personal experiences of living with mild cerebral palsy in her first book, ‘CP Isn’t Me’, Disabling Ableism is a more general study of disability in the eyes of society.  It features contributions from Lesley Griffiths MS and Kerry Evans, Disability Liaison Officer at Wrexham AFC.

As well as being available to buy online via Amazon, Samantha’s books can be purchased from a number of places in Wrexham including Waterstones, Wrexham Library and Bellis Brothers Farm Shop & Garden Centre.

Following the success of CP Isn’t Me, which was published in 2022, and Disabling Ableism, Samantha in now focusing on writing her third book which is expected to analyse the relationship between disability and mental health.

Wrexham’s Member of the Senedd and Member of Parliament met Samantha at Bellis Brothers Farm Shop in Holt, Wrexham – one of the local establishments that stocks Samantha’s books.

After the meeting, Lesley Griffiths MS, who has also helped ensure Samantha’s books are available to purchase from the Senedd shop in Cardiff Bay, said:

“Samantha is a prolific author and a true inspiration who refuses to be defined by her disability.  Her honest, captivating books highlight the issues disabled people face on a daily basis and challenge readers to rethink how they view disability.

“Samantha has done a fantastic job ensuring her book is available from a wide variety of stores, both in Wrexham and further afield, and I am pleased to have played a small part by helping make sure the book is available to buy from the Senedd shop.

“To publish two books is an incredible achievement and I wish Samantha every success with her third book, which is due to be released next year.”

Andrew Ranger MP added: “I was delighted to meet with Samantha along with Lesley at Bellis’s Brothers Farm Shop to congratulate her. Samantha is an incredible person and her books are a must read, being truly honest and open about her lived experience and how disability is viewed by society.

“To have written two books so far is an impressive feat and I am looking forward to reading her third book, published in the new year, and I am sure it will be a success.”

Samantha has paid tribute to Cerebral Palsy Cymru in LLanishen in Cardiff.  Formally known as the Bobath Centre, the specialist facility provides therapy and support for children with cerebral palsy and their families.  The Centre helped Samantha when she was a child and it is also stocking CP Isn’t Me and Disabling Ableism.