Jeremy Smith

My name is Jeremy Smith.

I am an award-winning journalist who - among myriad other current topics and issues - highlights disability from a more urbane and sartorial point-of-view.

Being disabled is, nine years on, still proving to be both cathartic and illuminating (I can now walk).

My first job was on Men's Wear magazine and I am indebted to its editor who told me: "If you've got the nerve to come in here dressed like f****g Norman Wisdom, I'll give you 30 days...'').

From there I worked at the Morning Advertiser, specialising in Cognac-related features, several fine regional standards such as The Western Daily Press and Bristol Evening Post, edited an award-winning business magazine and recently was Group Features Editor at The Oxford Mail and Oxford Times.

Professional highlights have included -

* Newsquest UK: Innovator of the Year (2008)

* Regional Press Awards: Business Supplement of the Year (2004)

* NUJ: Business Writer of the Year (2003)

* Cognac Journalist of the Year (1989)

* Organiser/Director of Oxford Film Festival 2007-2014

* Oxford Toilet Tsar (2012-2015) Oxford City Council Winner of UK Loo of The Year awards 2015 (seriously...!!!)

Since my accident and leaving hospital in November of 2015, I have taken on the roles of -

* Editor-at-Large OX Magazine

* Disability consultant for the German National Tourist Office (18 month contract)

* Media consultant for Cosmo Restaurants UK (six month contract)

* Official blogger for world-famous Oxford International Literary Festival and Blenheim Film and Literary Festival

* Editorial consultant (ad hoc), Said Business School, Oxford ("We want you to make us seem more...hip")

* Contributor to the BMJ (British Medical Journal)

I am also heavily involved in highlighting disability issues -

* Writer/creator of 'Real Lives' Exhibition (now touring UK)

* Consultant for 'ABC' initiative - Against Boredom Campaign - tackling the detachment and morbid lethargy suffered by patients hospitalised over long periods

* Contributor to The Empathy Museum's 'In Their Shoes' campaign