'Cold Feet' star Ruth Madeley wants to make the entertainment industry "more inclusive" for people with disabilities.
Ruth Madeley
The 31-year-old actress suffers from Spina Bifida - which is caused when a baby's spine and spinal cord don't develop properly in the womb, causing a gap in the spine which can lead to movement problems - and hopes that her career can help make the path a "little less rocky" for disabled actors who come after her.
When asked what she would most like to be remembered for,she told Stylist magazine: "For helping to make the entertainment industry more inclusive for people with disabilities - I have Spina Bifida. I hope I've made the journey for people coming after me a little less rocky."
Ruth is known for her roles as Tracey McHarrie, a disabled woman who gets fired, in season seven of the ITV comedy-drama, as well as the lead role of Anna in BBC's award-winning factual drama 'Don't Take My Baby' - which earned her a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress.
The TV star went on to explain that she feels "everything happens for a reason" however still feels individuals are accountable for their own decisions and lives.
When asked whether she's fatalistic, she added: "Yes, I believe that everything happens for a reason, but that we also have a responsibility to make the best out of every situation we're in."
As for her biggest fear, Ruth claimed that "being the same" as other people terrifies her and explained that she was always encouraged to be her own person.
She said: "Being the same as everybody else. Growing up I was never like anybody else, so it has been instilled in me that being different is something to keep pushing for."