Twenty Questions with – Simply Emma

Let’s start the new year with the interview of a blogger I’m excited to introduce you to. Although you’ve probably already discovered her for yourselves.

Simply Emma was a blog I read before I was a blogger. I enjoy reading something I could relate to, with our passion for gigs, access frustrations and similar disabilities.

Emma writes brilliantly detailed reviews of venues, gadgets and travel adventures.

My Questions/Emma’s Answers

1. What made you decide to write a blog?

I thought about starting a blog for such a long time but kept putting it off. It wasn’t until I had a bad experience travelling back from New York that I finally decided it was time to stop complaining to my family about the lack of accessibility and people’s attitudes toward disability and to start doing something about it with the aim of hopefully helping make changes. That’s when I started writing and my blog Simply Emma was born in 2014. 

I didn’t write much in the first year. I was filled with so much self-doubt and lack of confidence in my writing. It wasn’t until the following year that I decided what I wanted to do with my blog and began writing more. I wanted to share my life living with a progressive muscle wasting condition, Muscular Dystrophy, my travel adventures and the accessibility issues I experienced daily. From there I began to find my path, so to speak and realised where my passions lie. 

2. What do you want your blog to achieve?

My blog started as a hobby. A place where I could document my life as a young adult with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy. By sharing my experiences, I have been able to help others and give advice. It means so much when readers get in touch letting me know my blog has helped them whether it was enjoying their first accessible holiday or giving them the confidence to go out in their wheelchair.

Although it started as a hobby, I’m delighted with the opportunities that my blog has given me. I am now self-employed as a blogger, freelance writer and published author. I hope to continue to raise awareness of life as a wheelchair user, in particular, Muscular Dystrophy and to help others by sharing my experiences and advice.

3. What is the most difficult thing for you about having a disability?

I think the most difficult thing about my disability is having to rely on other people for help and support. I need support with almost everything from getting in and out of bed, personal care, cooking, dressing etc. Someone is usually with me at all times which can be difficult at times and there can be moments when I wish I could do the simplest of things independently. It’s not something I dwell on, but I’m human, and sometimes have ‘one of those days’ sort of moments.

4. What is the biggest positive about having a disability?

The people I’ve met whether it’s through my blog, fellow disabled bloggers who have become great lifelong friends and the disabled community on the whole.

5. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?

Pizza. I love pizza.

6. An apocalypse is imminent, you have 30 minutes to prepare, what 3 items do you pack?

Water, food and my fluffy blanket.

7. When making tea would you pour the milk or water in first?

Neither. I’m a mint tea drinker.

8. What is your favourite way to relax?

Relax? What’s that? Just kidding. I love getting in my comfy clothes, slippers on, with a fluffy blanket around me and watching a good movie. Movie nights with my partner and two cats are my favourite way to relax and zone out from everything else. 

9. If you could interview any human, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you ask?

Oh, that’s a tough one. Probably John Candy. I love all his movies and would love to chat with him and find out what his life was like. Some of my favourite John Candy movies are ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’ and ‘Uncle Buck’.

10. What would be your dream job?

A detective. I love all things crime-related. I love researching, digging for clues and trying to solve the case. My family have always said I ask too many questions, but I just always want to know all the little details.

11. You’ve just won 10 million pounds (congratulations!), what 3 things would you do with the money?

Build an accessible home with lots of land for an animal sanctuary. Make sure my family are taken care of and open an accessible holiday park/resort for families to enjoy holidays at.

12. Where in the world would you most like to visit and why?

It’s difficult to think of anywhere I’d like to visit right now due to the current coronavirus pandemic. As a travel blogger, I’m always planning where my next trip will be, but the only place I want to be is at home at the moment. However, if things were normal, I’d definitely be opting for somewhere hot and isolated so I could just relax and enjoy time with my family. Then I’d like to visit as many cities as possible (I do love a city break) and maybe head back to New York and Barcelona. I’d also love to visit New Zealand. I just wish it wasn’t such a long flight to get there.

13. What one thing would you change about yourself?

It’s impossible to pick just one. I am very indecisive so I’d love to be able to quickly and easily make decisions without debating it for hours, days and so on. I can be very hard on myself, which I would love to change, but unfortunately, it’s easier said than done.

14. If you could play any part in a film, past or future, real or fiction, who would you be?

Grease or Dirty dancing. I love both films and I think it would be so much fun to be a part in them. Some people say Grease is cheesy but I think it’s great and I love the music and dancing in Dirty Dancing.

15. If there was a pill that would freeze you at your current age and you could live forever as you are now, would you take it? And why?

No. I wouldn’t want to live forever especially if my friends and family couldn’t do the same. I would hate to be left behind and alone when everyone I know passes away.  

16. If you could trade lives with one person for an entire day who would it be and why?

I might be cheating with this one as I know it’s not a person, but my cats seem to have a great life so I wouldn’t mind being them for the day. They always look super comfy while curled up sleeping, they do whatever they want and are just the coolest cats.

17. If you could time travel, where would you go?

I would love to go back and spend time with my Gran who passed away when I was 9 years old. I’m fortunate to have great memories with her, but I would love to go back and create some more and ask her all the questions I never got the chance to ask her.

18. If you were made Queen and allowed to pass one new law, what would it be, and why?

This is probably a very typical answer, but I would enforce stricter laws on accessibility. A country that is accessible for all would be the dream.

19. What personal trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

Being meticulous about certain things and liking things done a certain way, which can be annoying for those around me especially when they need to do it for me. A silly example of this is, I can be quite particular about my hair and because I can’t lift my arms up to do it myself either my mum or partner has to do it for me. I like it done a certain way and if they can’t do it like how I want/imagine then it can lead to arguments. Haha.  

20. As a child, what did you wish to become when you grew up?

A mermaid. I’m not quite sure why I wanted to be a mermaid, but that lasted for a little while. I then remember wanting to be an architect and owning my own hotel. Funny how life works out as I’m none of them. Haha.

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My name is Emma Muldoon and I live in a small town in Central Scotland with my partner and two tuxedo cats. I have Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy and I’m a full-time power wheelchair user. I’m the founder and writer behind Simply Emma, an accessible travel, disability and lifestyle blog. I love what I do, but when I’m not blogging, you will typically find me enjoying time outdoors exploring the many beautiful locations that Scotland is known for (when we’re not in Covid-19 lockdowns) or binge-watching the latest TV show or listening to music. 

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Thank you Emma for a positive and open interview. Reading some of these answers was like listening to my own thoughts! As a fellow indecisive, blanket loving cat lady I have to agree that relying on someone for assistance with things is one of my biggest frustrations too.

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You can read more from Emma and follow her adventures at her blog Simply Emma, on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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If you’ve enjoyed this interview, check out the rest of my Twenty Questions series.