An SNP MP will return to the House of Commons today for the first time since suffering a stroke at the age of just 28.
Amy Callaghan felt she was left with no option but to make the journey south to Westminster - despite her doctor advising against it.
The member for East Dunbartonshire has repeatedly called for Commons bosses to reintroduce proxy voting, which would allow MPs unable to travel to London for health reasons to still participate.
In an interview with the Record, Callaghan said: "Westminster should have adapted to people with my kind of condition, so I could still represent my constituents.
"It should never have reached this point.
"It's definitely against doctor's orders. If this was a constituent travelling to London, I would be telling them not to go.
"It's 420 miles from my constituency office to the House of Commons.
"My mobility is significantly better than what it was, but it's not great. If I could do my job from home, and still represent my constituents, I would - but I can't just now."
Callaghan caused one of the biggest shocks of the 2019 General Election when she won the seat previously held by Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson.
She quickly made her mark in the Commons but her life was upended in June 2020 when she collapsed alone at home.
After months of rehabilitation she made a return to politics in March last year when she asked a virtual question during a debate on education.
But today marks the first time she has travelled to London in almost two years, where she plans to raise the case of a constituent who is struggling with financial support after suffering a stroke.
And she's vowed to continue her fight for reform in how the Commons does business.
"I think, at the minimum, there should be proxy voting in place, like there was during the pandemic," the MP said.
"The procedure committee of the House of Commons has been doing an inquiry, which I have given evidence to.
"They've struggled to find MPs to speak against it which is a stark contrast to the situation several years ago.
"But the government is dragging its heels."
Asked why she thought the Commons was so reluctant to change, she added: "They are quite content with their antiquated system.
"They reluctantly adapted during the pandemic but they are happy with their system as it is.
"There are parliaments across the globe that have proxy voting systems - like New Zealand, Germany, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands.
"The systems are already there and the processes already exist - they just need to hit a button."
"It just reeks of typical British exceptionalism."
Callaghan said her constituents have been "incredibly understanding" about her rehabilitation and gradual return to work.
"I want to be the best MP for East Dunbartonshire I possibly can be," she said.
"We are in the middle of a cost of living crisis. I want to be down there speaking on their behalf.
"That's what I'm going to do and that's why I'm in London this week."
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