Creating My Own Job by Kate Stanforth

It’s 4pm on a Tuesday and I sit cocooned in the corner of my local Starbucks.  I’ve got my oversized jumper on, a rather oversized latte (coconut milk, decaf, pumpkin spice to be precise) and I open up my laptop.  Today is my freelance day where I juggle several jobs, most of which I can do at home (or in a nice cafe!) and this is how I’m now able to work alongside having chronic illnesses.

Access to Work

I spent many years far too poorly to even think about work but when my health stabilised more in my twenties, I was desperate to try working for a few hours.  I, like many people, was soon hit with the barriers which disabled people face when trying to access work.  From the removal of benefits to finding it incredibly difficult to get a job with any sort of flexibility or understanding of my conditions, I thought working life was out of the picture.

Paving the Way

I’m very lucky in that I’ve always had some friends who pave the way for disabled people and with that my good friend, Pippa Stacey, helped me get my first job.  She also was working as a freelance blogger so I followed in her footsteps and started writing myself and then picked up work in my area of expertise; disability rights and dance.  I worked just a few hours a week from home then an extra hour teaching at a dance studio.

Starting my Business

I eventually took the giant leap to start my own business, my inclusive dance school and I fit the rest of my freelance work around that.  Starting my own dance academy was a huge decision but one which was the best for my health as I could be in charge of my timetable and class locations.  I fit the other freelance work, which is often blogs and modelling on my days off when I’m not in bed.  I haven’t quite found the balance yet, but I’m working on it!

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Last month was National Disability Employment Awareness Month and I want to finish by highlighting the importance of accessible employment opportunities.  Not everyone with a disability can work.  But many who can, can’t access work.  I love my job and I’m so grateful for what I’m able to do.  But I had to create my own job to be able to work.  I hope in the future there’ll be more support and opportunities for disabled people not just to start work but also progress in their careers.