Stephen Lightbown

Stephen Lightbown lives in Bristol and writes extensively but not exclusively about life as a wheelchair user. Stephen has written poetry for adults and is passionate about wanting to see authentic voices writing about diability across all ages. This is his first collection of poetry for children. He is currently working with Troika on several ideas for picture book stories and middle grade fiction.

Stephen was born in Blackburn, Lancashire. In 1996, aged 16, he experienced a life changing accident whilst sledging in the snow and is now paralysed from below the waist.

He has spoken at events and festivals across the UK and his poems have also been widely anthologised. In August 2021 Stephen performed his first one man show ‘A Life With PIP’ having been commissioned by Coventry based theatre company Theatre Absolute. The show was about Stephen’s experiences of applying for the PIP benefit.

He can be found on most social media channels via @spokeandpencil and is available to present talks and workshops on a range of issues including accessibility and writing about disability poetry.