Louise Halling lives with the very rare and progressive muscle-wasting condition limb girdle muscular dystrophy. She has released a series of photographs highlighting the microaggressions she experiences from members of the public.

It is intended that that these images will open the conversation around disability, not close it down.

Rather than people feeling ‘afraid’ to speak, she wants them to be more thoughtful about what they say, or indeed if they need to say anything at all.

The 43-year-old mother lives in Poole with her husband Mark and son Jacob. She was diagnosed with limb girdle muscular dystrophy at the age of 20, a condition that causes progressive muscle wastage. Louise experiences extreme pain and fatigue every day and describes managing her condition as a “fine balancing act” while juggling life as a mum, wife, and psychotherapist.

She needs mobility assistance when out and about, either through her walker, mobility scooter or manual wheelchair due to muscle wastage in her legs. Louise says this attracts unwanted attention and comments from passers-by.

Her series of emotive photographs show Louise holding placards that represent a small selection of the many unsolicited comments she receives from members of the public.

Robert Burley, director of Care, Communications and Support at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said: “Our community often tell us that non-disabled people can make insensitive remarks without intending to cause offence.

“These isolated incidents might seem inconsequential, but they build up over time and can be really distressing, especially because disabled people already face a significant number of barriers that exclude them from so much in life.

“Muscular Dystrophy UK hopes that Louise’s photograph series encourages people to reflect on how they can be more inclusive with their language and behaviour. After all, we should all strive to live in a society where disabled people are treated with the dignity and respect we all deserve.”

Louise said: “I’m really pleased Muscular Dystrophy UK is supporting me to encourage more conversations around what comments are and aren’t appropriate.

“I don’t want people to feel paranoid or worry that they can’t say anything to a disabled person anymore for fear of offending them. Rather, I’m trying to encourage members of the public to see the person beyond the disability and reflect on the impact that their comments may have.”