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A former journalist who has become an active disabled rights campaigner after suffering a stroke a decade ago is to stand for the States.
Forty-nine-year-old Anthony Lewis says he’ll be standing for Senator rather than Deputy in next May’s General Election because the issues he wants to champion – the environment and disability rights - are island-wide.
Eight senatorial seats will be up for grabs on Wednesday 16th May.
Mr Lewis was a well-known journalist at the JEP and Channel 103 before having a stroke in 2007, which left him with reduced mobility and aphasia: a communication disorder which affects his ability to understand or express speech.
After that huge setback, which meant he could no longer work as a journalist, Anthony has campaigned for the rights of the disabled in Jersey and raised thousands of pounds for charity. This has included walking the route of the Jersey Marathon over seven days in 2010, cycling from London to Paris in 2012 and running 13.2 miles of the Jersey Marathon in 2015.
Mr Lewis appreciates his aphasia will present challenges as a States Member but, as with all the challenges he has faced, he is determined to overcome them. Technology will play an important role and Mr Lewis will use an innovative set of glasses that allow him to ‘read’ text through word-recognition software and an earpiece.
He said: “I am excited, but nervous. A challenge. It’s a passion. What can be achieved. I am positive. Disabled. We need the same: disabled and able. For everyone.”
Of the current eight States senators, only two – Sarah Ferguson and Lyndon Farnham - have so far confirmed to Express that they’ll be seeking re-election.
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