When you are brave, good things can happen…

A month ago, I did something brave, though at the time it felt stupid, scary and incredibly vulnerable. I wrote a post on Linked In that I then shared on my social media about my struggles with disability and work. I had been applying for jobs for over a year and had applied for hundreds of roles, many I would not even get an interview for, and those that I did interview, I did not get. I was feeling beaten, I knew I had great skills and brilliant experience but it felt like when I clicked that box that said I was a disabled person and that I would need some reasonable adjustments including some remote working that I was struck to the bottom of the pile.

Here is the post:

This feels a little embarrassing but as I advise my adult children, never be ashamed to put yourself out there! So here I go…

I am a disabled woman and I have been applying for jobs for over a year now with no success. I’m not sure if it’s because I need reasonable adjustments such as hybrid or remote working or whether saying I’m disabled on applications puts people off. Ive applied for over 100 jobs and struggle to even get an interview.

I have three adult children (who are all incredible so if raising good, kind, helpful and caring adults counts on your CV, then let’s add this on!)

I have a first class degree in Fine Art that I completed at the age of 42 and I am currently doing a MSc in Disability Studies.

I’m a creative person, I am a textile artist and also work with recycled, found and natural materials. I have run art workshops all over the country.

I worked for disability charity Scope for three years as Senior Online Community Officer, helping to run their online community, create blogs and supported the social media team, I created the newsletter that went out to 100,000 members and managed a large team of volunteers.

I have been a disability advocate for 11 years, I created a blog that’s had over 3 million views and I have done talks about disability all over the UK and Europe. I’ve been on This Morning, BBC breakfast and lots of other TV and radio appearances and in newspapers and magazines worldwide.

I had my own radio show on BBC Sheffield – Nowt so strange as folk – for two and a half years. Starting on midweek evening and moving to prime time Saturday mid morning slots.

I was a freelance writer for medical publications, Red Magazine, Psychologies magazine and the Metro and I’ve had my work published in academic texts.

I run a photography studio with my husband, and handle the studio hires and admin for the business and I am doing some disability accessibility consultation and coordination for large scale sports events and music festivals.

I’ve had a few other jobs such as a doula, a massage therapist (including working backstage at festivals and events for artists) and a breastfeeding support worker.

Phew! That’s a long list so thank you if you got through it!

I am a creative who loves helping people, I have a varied career history and I always commit myself fully to my work.

Some people may think that my impairments make me a poor candidate for work, but I honestly think it is a benefit. I have to be super adaptable, I can think outside the box and can respond to problems, I’m hard working and I’m empathetic and caring.

If you are looking for intelligent, hard working, badass staff, then get in touch!

Please don’t overlook disabled candidates, you may miss out on the best staff you could ever hope for!

I hit send and felt my face go red, I got a blotchy neck and the shame of vulnerability punched me in the face. It took everything I had to not immediately delete the post but I stood strong when I started getting responses that said that others had been in this position, that employment as a disabled person was so tough and that people were grateful that the conversation was being had and so I left it up.

A while later I got a message from a woman who runs a business, she said she loved my post and was I free for a chat? I jumped onto a video call with her and we both talked for an hour about life with chronic illness, the difficulties of employment and about how she saw a gap in support for disabled people and created a business to fill it. She was passionate, ethical and I truly believed in what she was doing. We had a few more meetings and I am absolutely over the moon to tell you all that I GOT A JOB!!!

I am now the marketing manager for an incredible company called Purpl Discounts. The UK’s first dedicated disabled discount site to help offset the cost of living with a disability.

Purpl offers exclusive discounts and partners with various brands to provide members with savings on everyday products and services. The founder is disabled and understands how expensive it is, so their mission is to help you save money as well as being committed to giving money back to disabled focused charities. Purpl is designed specifically for individuals with disabilities.

I’d love you all to head over and have a look, it is free to join, you need to register and provide proof of disability through a simple verification process. There are a number of government and council documents we can accept as well as other disability ID cards, government-issued disability benefits letters, medical certificates, or other official proof of disability and as a member you can get access to huge discounts and deals in tons of areas.

I knew that I had to work in a business that aligns with my passions and morals and I really think I have found it in Purpl. It has been a long slog to get here with so many disappointments, but now I am over the moon and absolutely thrilled to be starting work with such an incredible company. They recognise that disability and work can go hand in hand and that flexible and remote working can allow you to work with the best candidates for the job!

It is hard when you feel that no matter what you do, you get turned down. Believe me, the past couple of years have absolutely kicked me in the butt, there were times when I felt that I was cursed as nothing was going right. But even time, I dusted myself down and started again, I just kept swimming. Posting about my work situation was terrifying, I hated feeling so vulnerable but I still had hope and this has shown me that when you are brave, good things can happen…

Peace and love

Sam xx