Publish date: 6 December 2022
We're continuing to acknowledge Disability History Month this month (16 November - 16 December). Here, Leeanne McGee, Chief operating officer (High secure and forensic services) shares her own experiences of disability.
Disability History Month is an important month for me. Aside from my life working in High Secure and Forensic Services in the Trust, I spend a lot of my free time in the fresh air at my beloved allotment and walking in the great outdoors.
I have first-hand experience of watching a family member lose their sight and how they have had to come to terms with these changes. The ‘loss’ they experienced was hard to accept.
The reorganisation of their life and routine in order to continue to live independently wasn’t helped by the impact ‘small changes’ by those without any visual impairment can have on those who cannot see.
For example, my local supermarket changed its layout, making it impossible for my family member to continue to shop there as he had memorised the shelves - and the items on them. The tills were also made self–service so a great number of the staff who he had ‘shared’ his disability with, and whom he knew would assist him are no longer employed!
This has resulted in a loss of his independence and a reliance on others. It has also raised all family members’ awareness of how important it is to support charity organisations who have helped us as a family immeasurably. We have now sponsored 14 Guide Dogs for the Blind and love receiving updates on how all of them are helping others. Sprout, the Golden Retriever, remains a firm favourite.
We must always think carefully about the changes we make at work and the impact this can have on everyone, but particularly focusing on any of our staff, patients and visitors with a disability.
Embracing and acknowledging disability will improve the experience and skillset we all bring that in turn will ultimately enrich the work place.