“I want to be at the forefront for people.”
Paddy Smyth has said that he wants to use his platform to change the way people view disability.
The activist and recent winner of Channel 4’s The Circle wants to use his victory to show people the life you can have while also being disabled.
Paddy, who has cerebral palsy, entered the UK reality TV show midway through the series and still managed to win over the rest of the contestants, become the most popular member of The Circle, and walk away with a cool 50 grand.
Deserved, tbh.
Speaking on last night’s Late Late Show, Paddy told Ryan Tubridy that he thinks he won the show because: “You can’t resist the Irish, we have charm, you know yourself.”
He added, however, that the show gave him the chance to present himself without his disability “and to see if people like me just for me.”
Paddy made it to The Circle final alongside fellow contestants Woody, Tim, Georgina, and James – who was really catfishing a single mum named Sammie.
The Dubliner decided to keep his disability to himself for his first few days on the show, only using photos where his cerebral palsy was not immediately noticeable.
Fresh from winning #TheCircle @PaddyySmyth speaks to Ryan about the message he wants to spread. #LateLate pic.twitter.com/WDBUcWNmMG
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) October 25, 2019
He eventually opened up to the group in emotional scenes that touched the hearts and minds of both the contestants and the audience watching back home.
“I want to be at the forefront for people, or parents who think their child with a disability won’t have a life,” Paddy said.
“I want to show them that they can and use my platform in a positive light.”
“It doesn’t matter if you’re disabled or your child has a disability, you can still live an amazing lifestyle and hopefully live it great.”
The Late Late Show returns next Friday at 9.35pm.
