Hollyoaks star Ellie Henry has been talking about her experiences of ableism in an Instagram Q&A.
The actress, who plays Freya Calder in the Channel 4 soap, uses a wheelchair and often
uses her social media platforms to talk about the everyday realities of living with a disability.
‘I have had to advocate for myself since day one at drama school,’
she stated in response to a fan’s question about disability discrimination.
‘I wish I could say it gets easier, but it hasn’t for me yet.’
Ellie explained that all she needs to be able to navigate through her everyday
life and work is some basic adjustments – but asking for those things is sometimes difficult.
‘Asking for basic needs such as ramps, extra time to prepare or not working in certain conditions can be made to feel like you’re asking for the earth. I promise you’re not!’ she said.
‘I have had to surround myself with people who remind me I’m asking for reasonable adjustments and they should be provided for me. Keep asking for what you need. Always.’
On Ellie’s YouTube channel she often posts about her everyday life, highlighting how her disabilities – she lives with epilepsy as well as chronic illness – affect her in daily life. She says that she hopes the tricks and strategies she’s learned over time will help other people to feel more confident and empowered.
Ellie, who joined Hollyoaks in 2022, has recently played a huge part in the conversion therapy storyline. Her character Freya handed her father Carter Shepherd (David Ames) in to the police after it came to light he’d been practising conversion therapy on Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis).
The twisted head teacher has been manipulating Lucas, making him think that being gay is wrong. John Paul McQueen (James Sutton), who’d previously had a secret relationship with Carter, realised what was going on and set out to track Lucas down.
Follow Metro Soaps on WhatsApp and get all the latest spoilers first!
Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who’s leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale?
Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro’s WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews.
Simply click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in! Don’t forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we’ve just dropped the latest spoilers!
At the Pride celebrations Carter unleashed a vile homophobic rant calling on the attendees to ‘repent.’
Following this he tried to persuade Freya to come to America with him. Instead, she turned him in to the police and in powerful scenes she broke down in tears as she begged her father to take responsibility for his crimes.
In real life Ellie and co-star David Ames have become great friends, with the actress posting a video of her getting a big hug from David.
‘Having someone walk into your life and brighten every day is the biggest blessing. I truly believe that we are a collage of the best parts of our favourite people, and I am so happy @semadivad has become part of me and my life ❤️’ she wrote.
MORE : Hollyoaks star Daisy Wood-Davis expertly shuts down trolls over infant son’s dress
MORE : EastEnders star ‘in denial’ as she confirms exit: ‘I can’t believe it’s over’
MORE : Coronation Street and Emmerdale pulled from TV for the second time running as fans lash out
