INTERVIEW: 'I should have been more open about my disabilities'

Disability Pride Month is a global celebration in July to recognise people with disabilities, their identities, culture and contributions to society. It also seeks to change the way we perceive people with disabilities and promote belief that disability is a natural part of human diversity.

I sat down with Alison Scott - who has a big job in not only looking after the council’s finances, but is also in charge of Planning Policy, Regulation, and Property and oversees two Crematoria that managed by the council - to talk about Disability Pride Month.

Has your disability impacted on your career?

That is a really hard question to answer. My disabilities are to a certain extent hidden – I have significant joint problems as a result of hypermobility syndrome, fibromyalgia which causes pain flare ups and an autoimmune condition which causes extreme fatigue. I have therefore tended to downplay them and their impact on my work which may also mean that I have at times held myself back and not always asked for the support that could have made my life easier. I have had an amazing and varied career in public finance and love the role that I now do so to that extent no it hasn’t, but I do feel with hindsight I should have been more open about my disabilities and the emotional toll on myself, and my family might have been less.

Have you encountered any challenges, and if so, what mechanisms you use to overcome them?

My biggest challenge remains the fatigue that goes with my conditions and the need to recognise when I am pushing myself too hard, which is something I am not good at. I think I do need to learn to be kinder to myself. I read an article once about how you have only so many units of energy available to them and if you chose to do an activity that takes up a large chunk of that day’s energy you have to balance it with rest or accept that the next day you will have less to use. I try and think about this, but it can be too easy sometimes to use them all up at work and not leave enough for home.

How has your workplace accommodated your needs to facilitate you to perform to your full potential?

Three Rivers District Council have been very good at encouraging me to try and find a balance and agile working helps tremendously. I have just started trying to work my hours so that I protect a little more of that home time so that weekends do not get entirely taken up by recovering from the week.

What is something you wish everyone knew about disabilities as a whole?

Everybody is different and I think as disabled people we need to be more willing to be open about the difficulties our disability causes us and others need to listen and not be afraid to ask questions so that they can empathise.

If you could share a key message about Disability Pride, what would it be?

I would like to share that often the most difficult person to be open to is yourself. Whether this is in professional or personal basis, being open can actually allow for suitable adjustment to be made to allow the individual to overcome barriers they face on a day-to-day basis. The meaning of Disability Pride seems to vary from person to person, but by celebrating diversity, embracing individuality and sharing experiences we can form the foundation of creating environment where we treat people as individuals so that they can be treated equitably and empowered to reach their full potentials. The opportunity to learn from one another and allowing everybody to be themselves can’t be overlooked as it is a powerful tool.

General Information

If there are any local employers who would like to become disability confident to better manage the needs of their employees, Three Rivers District Council is hosting an upcoming Disability Confident Event for local employers and partners to network on the 24 September from 9:30am at the Warner Bros Studios Tour- The Making of Harry Potter, Studio Tour Drive, Watford, WD25 7LR. Join us for an empowering day where we celebrate diversity and inclusivity.

This event will look to inspire and educate employers about how to attract people of different talents and abilities, whilst supporting your current employees with disabilities. Come and connect with like-minded individuals and businesses, learn from industry experts and discover resources to help you in the process of becoming disability confident.

Book your spot today!  https://ow.ly/1TFp50SyvnM