My Childhood Journey
My childhood was a constant battle with joint pain, sore throat, abdominal pain, and typhoid fever hospital admissions, which meant managing medications in secondary school.
In my teenage years, I developed an eating disorder, through to adulthood, which affected pregnancy. My initial referral was denied because I accessed other services within their organization. On the second referral, I couldn’t meet their standard treatment pathway, a one-size pathway for patients, without considering my autistic eating patterns.
I was evicted from a property where I consistently paid my rent, but the landlord defaulted on his mortgage, so the property was repossessed by the bank. This resulted in being made homeless with my child and living in a council hostel for 14 months.
It was challenging to balance single parenthood, hospital visits, and medical appointments in the middle of living in a council hostel. I had my first panic attack and my first ambulance journey while in the hostel due to the heat in the small accommodation and it being furnished with plastic chairs resulted in back pain for us.
Health Conditions
I present with multiple long-term health conditions and disabilities, including a diagnosis of autism, ADHD, and dyslexia within a year, which was difficult to manage as a full-time working single parent, with limited family support in the UK, due to my family living abroad.
My neurodivergence diagnosis revealed my lack of interest in academics growing up and preference for reading. I was initially misdiagnosed as not autistic but advocated for myself, which led to receiving my correct diagnosis, which the clinicians referred to as a learning for them.
A routine surgery resulted in ICU admission in 2022, which ignited my advocacy work. I was privileged to impact changes to improve the eating disorder service for neurodivergent individuals, particularly autistic people, with eating disorders, and the service-integrated training for their staff and introduced individualized treatment pathways.
I encountered discrimination from a general practitioner which continues to significantly impact my health and wellbeing as his mistake led to the revocation of my driver’s licence, especially as someone with disabilities who greatly relies on driving due to being prone to having panic attacks on public transport.
Professional Challenges and Advocacy
My neurologist advised me to reduce my working hours, stating that working full-time will result in more debilitating disabilities; however, financial pressures made it difficult, and I struggled to access the right part-time work. Chronic fatigue affects my ability to do daily tasks that others take for granted, such as cooking and cleaning.
It is challenging living with multiple disabilities, but I make an effort to empower others through my advocacy work, research participation, and representation as a Black woman with disabilities, who has faced stigma and discrimination.
By sharing my story of resilience, I highlight the importance of support, understanding, and perseverance.
– I was honoured to be nominated for the NHS Heroes Award, featured in health and wellbeing newsletters, and participated in Schwartz rounds
– Brain in Hand panel
– Bravery in the Boardroom podcast
– Business Unzipped podcast
– Neurodiversity Stories (How Am I Still Standing? I Nearly Died)
– the NHS Employers Disability Summit panel 2025
– the Black Inclusion week panel
– as Face of Woha’s Women of Heart esteemed speaker, and speaking internationally
This has been truly humbling and inspiring for me. I was also honoured to have featured in Divas of Colour’s International Women’s Day initiative, “My Journey to Empowerment”. I am the host of a disability podcast.
Recent Achievements
I completed a 5k walk for Autism with the National Autistic Society this year and achieved my donation target, despite my health challenges. My advocacy work also led to recognitions such as the Influencer Magazine “Model of the Year 2025” Award, Integrity Magazine Award 2025 Model, where my photo was also displayed at the Louvre in Paris in 2024 alongside accomplished women, where the Mona Lisa resides.
I am the Founder of Ultimate Royal UK, offering coaching, mentoring, and speaking services inspired by my lived experiences.
Through my advocacy work, I have gained recognition both nationally and internationally, for making a significant impact in the lives of others, especially those living with disabilities. I was featured as the cover of the Face of Woha Empowerment, Lifestyle, Business & Inspiration magazine, had an editorial spotlight in the SwagHer magazine and media, highlighting my advocacy, authenticity, and my dedication to raising underrepresented voices.
I use my speaking engagements to motivate others, through themes such as visibility, purpose and intentional growth. My core message, “know your purpose, be visible, and be intentional,” deeply resonates with the audience, inspiring leaders to reflect on their leadership strategies.
Action Step: My call to action for the audiences: “How will you intentionally modify your approach today to foster growth and to demonstrate authentic leadership?”
A milestone this year is being crowned the first-ever Ms London City, which is an historical achievement, especially for those living with disabilities. I started my modelling career last year in my 40s, showing it is not too late to make a positive impact. My grace, resilience, and empowerment efforts also gained me the title of Classic Miss British Beauty 2025.
Final Thoughts
My authenticity and advocacy influence my coaching and mentoring, empowering others to discover their unique strengths, use their voices, and honour their journeys without hesitation.
– “My disability is not a reflection of my worth: it highlights my authenticity and individuality.”
Being an introverted Black woman with disabilities does not diminish my potential.
Name: Adeshola Akanji
Professional Title: Multifaceted Advocate, Coach, Mentor, Model, Podcast Host, Leader & Speaker
Bio: I embody resilience, purpose, and transformational leadership. Rising from experiences of bullying, discrimination, homelessness, and significant health challenges, I have transformed adversity into advocacy. My work as a disability consultant, coach, mentor, speaker, and model bridges lived experience with professional expertise, enabling me to champion inclusion with rare authenticity.
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