Unite For Access - Level Playing Field - Story Highlight - Stella

7 days ago
3 min read

Hi, my name is Stella Amor, I am a CADSA Committee member and would like to share my story with you as part of Unite for Access 2026.

My first love growing up was with "the game"

I would kick a football with friends, play at every opportunity and even started the first women's team at uni. (That was a big deal back then!) I would also watch football on TV ALOT! My favourite team, being Liverpool meant it was hard to get to as I live in London, but I remember seeing them play in London for the first time, coincidently at The Valley against Charlton. I had goosebumps and I even realised I had tears rolling down my face whilst singing, "You'll Never Walk Alone". Little did I know how much these words would later guide me in life.

Outside of Football

I was born in London, although have a Spanish family, and live with hubby, 2 kids and 2 dogs. We are all mad about Football… and our son introduced us to Charlton when he was young as he wanted to support a local team. Back then he would sit in the family area with dad to watch games and later, once old enough would get a season ticket to be near the drummer and sing in the covered end choir!

I worked as a Director of People and Culture in my day job, with a people-centric approach to wellbeing and inclusion, I always want to create spaces and cultures that were designed for everyone. It is then I learnt that most disabilities are acquired in life and as we also have an aging population, so contributing to an inclusive world became not just nice to have but absolutely necessary. I never knew at the time that I was contributing to creating an accessible world that I myself would have to rely on so soon.

My Disability

Then covid hit and like many people, I also caught covid and on Christmas Day in 2020, I watched my kids open their presents, see smiles on their faces and then they watched me being taken away by an ambulance shortly after.

I was placed in a coma for 6 weeks, on an ECMO machine and ventilator. I did not come home for 5 months; but I DID come home. I spent one year in a wheelchair and worked hard to walk again, albeit with mobility aids, although I am still dependent on oxygen 24/7.

Rejoining Football

I finally felt well enough to return to football in person and my husband came with me; and when I entered The Valley, everyone was so friendly, warm and welcoming. I felt excitement and a new energy, I thought I had lost came over me and when I saw the pitch I cried like a baby… The magnitude of being there impacted me, I felt the community come together, united and suddenly I did not just survive, I was living again.

Becoming an Addick

Charlton made it possible to feel safe, and welcome; also allowing parking so I can access the stadium with walking frame, oxygen equipment and limited mobility. The team have come to recognise me so it is no longer a case of just being welcomed, it is a feeling of welcome back home, a sense of belonging when you are recognised by stewards and other fans. I used to feel like I was being stared at for being "different" by wearing an oxygen cannula but now it is genuine smiles and access to a community I feel part of. Not because they feel sorry for me seeing my disability but because I belong; as a Charlton fan.

Since then, I have held my season ticket at Charlton, sitting in the NE stand, made new life-long friends and I have the privilege to volunteer with CADSA, supporting the club and us fans to elevate our experiences home and away. Inclusion matters more than ever and creating a platform, where disabled fans have a voice, to help design our experience is not a nice to have but an essential for everyone, not just for the disabled community today but for us all one day.

Unite For Access 2026

You can find out more about Unite for Access by checking out our previous blog post here or visiting:

At CADSA, we are working to make match days accessible and inclusive for all disabled fans. Don't forget to share and tag us (and CAFC) in your Disability Story! #UniteForAccess

If you have anything you wish to feedback for the Club please comment on our forum under accessibility issues > home.

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