THE friendship between a well-known York businesswoman and the first disabled Ms Great Britain has led to an amazing collaboration.
Kirstie Haysman, 37, from Sussex made history as the first disabled Ms Great Britain, winning the title having suffered from Lyme Disease for a number of years after endured periods of being bed-bound, and having to use a wheelchair.
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Backing Kirstie all the way to the title was Lyndsay Mitcheson, founder of Neo Walk who make fashionable acrylic walking sticks and canes.
"Kirstie was the first person to visit us in Strensall Road in Huntington," said Lyndsay.
"She came along because she wanted a nice walking stick and she told me she was in the final of Ms Great Britain at the time .
"We have formed a really nice friendship since and I was there when she won. I'm so excited for her - I couldn't be happier. Kirstie is just a kind soul and such a supportive person and she wants to see other people in our community thrive."
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks. The friendship resulted in Neo Walk providing Kirstie with a range of coordinated sticks for the competition to go with each of her outfits.
Kirstie, who wore a wedding dress on the night, having cancelled her wedding back in 2018 because the relationship wasn't right for her said: "Lyndsay has been so supportive - she's just great."
"I went from wedding to winning. I have been chronically sick all of my life. I nearly died as a baby and later in life I collapsed and started having problems with my heart.
"I worked as a chiropodist and had to give up my career and I have only really been well for about a year after I had stem cell treatment.
"I walk with a stick nearly all of the time now, but a year ago I was being fed with a spoon and didn't know if I was going to survive it."
Lyndsay herself suffered an MRSA infection during knee surgery in 2007, which led to her losing a leg and abandoning plans to open a hair salon.
At the time, walking sticks were clunky and dull and she “felt so ashamed” as such devices left her feeling “old and crinkly”.
“I wanted to design an invisible walking stick,” Lyndsay recalled.
In 2013, Lyndsay launched Neo Walk, initially as a part-time business, turning full-time in 2019.
The business was purely e-commerce, selling online, very visual and using Instagram was “life changing”.
“We found a community wanted these products. The disabled community accepted me as a disabled person and as a business.
“I grew three inches when people said they loved my walking sticks.”
As previously reported by The Press Lyndsay recalled how she was contacted by Hollywood celebrities Selma Blair and Christina Applegate, who both have MS and have become good friends as well as customers.
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