You might recognise Kerry Riches from Big Brother. She appeared on the reality show in 2023 as the first contestant to use a mobility scooter. Kerry, who has Multiple Sclerosis (MS), used it as an opportunity to raise awareness about the condition.
Diagnosed at 25, shortly after giving birth to her son Thomas, Kerry’s story resonated with many. After the show, she was flooded with messages from people sharing their own experiences and thanking her for raising awareness with her mobility scooter. Today, Kerry, 40, is a disability advocate, content creator, broadcaster, and MS spokesperson.
Overcoming challenges
Kerry uses her scooter alongside her Motability Scheme car, a Volkswagen Touran, which was converted into a 5-seater to accommodate a hoist at the back. Kerry also had hand controls fitted - due to compromised sensation below her knee, Kerry no longer felt safe driving using traditional pedals. However, her journey to enjoying this new driving experience wasn't without challenges.
“It's been like learning to drive again - and I learned to drive at 17. The car was braking harshly, not doing what I wanted, and felt different,” she admits.
Kerry returned to Volkswagen, told them she wasn’t comfortable with the hand controls and wanted to give the car back, but was advised to give it another go. “At first, I drove around a quiet car park, then started with short journeys. But one day, I had to drive to London for work something I hadn’t done in ages because of my condition. But I did it, and it was the best thing I ever did.”
Kerry enjoys the freedom that comes with her vehicle. “The car has allowed me to be myself again. With the hoist, the arm brings my scooter out for me, which means there’s nothing I cannot do on my own. That for me was important because I’m a bit of a force to be reckoned with. I want everything yesterday and I want to be able to do everything myself.
“I even drove myself all the way to Liverpool on my own, which was a massive thing for me because I would never ever in a million years have done that. And I did it. I couldn’t have done it without the Motability Scheme. It’s allowed me to live, socialise and do fun stuff again. I live quite rurally, and there's nowhere I can’t go without my car.”
“MS is my superpower”
Since her appearance on Big Brother, Kerry has continued to raise awareness, such as working with the MS Society as an ambassador. “I was honoured to be asked to be last year's spokesperson for MS Awareness Week,” she says. “In August 2024, I hand-delivered a letter to number 10 on the PIP process and how difficult it is for people to claim benefits.”
Also, Kerry became Yours Clothing's first plus-size disabled model. She adds: “I am proud to have MS, it has pushed me to do things that I never would have done in a million years. I consider my MS a superpower. I know I wouldn't have gone into the Big Brother house without it.”
What’s next?
Before Big Brother, Kerry left her 21-year NHS career, where she’d risen from PA to head of patient experience. Now she is excited about pursuing hobbies and progressing her career: “I want to do Panto this year and get back into writing.”
Kerry adds: “The big thing I am working on is a children’s book about kindness, compassion, hope and determination. What you don’t get taught at school, in my opinion, is that not everyone’s families look the same. When my son went to school, children said to him, ‘Why is your mum on that?’ which was the scooter. I’ve always felt that there's a space to educate children about acceptance.”
When asked about doing TV again, Kerry says: “Ultimately, I would love to be a Loose Woman.”
