What Do You Want To Be
We’ve probably all been asked at some point ‘what do you want to ‘be’ when you’re older?’ What did you say?
Recently a friend asked me to take part in a study. It was about being disabled and my experience of employment. I was asked a number of questions, which included how I felt when I was younger about employment and jobs.
For me I always answered: “I want to be on the radio”. This was mainly because I genuinely thought I love talking, we listened to the radio everyday at home and that seems the most accessible job for me. Even from a young age I was always thinking about the environment I was in. So when I was asked this question, I just answered how I thought I should answer and what was most realistic logistically.
A job in an office seemed hard to comprehend ‘how would I open the doors? Reach the phone? Go to the toilet? Get into the building’. It sounds so daft now, but for me, I couldn’t figure out how it would all work.
Barriers
When I was younger, I was so busy trying to conquer the next little hurdle like zipping up my little yellow coat or clicking my flower clip in my hair – thinking about a CAREER was just mind blowing and something I couldn’t imagine. Not because I didn’t think I was good enough – I was just a bit busy doing my challenge of the day. I needed someone pretty much for the most part of the day to support me and I’d also be breaking bones left right and centre. Oh and dealing with the controversial dramas of school such as ‘who’s in your top 5?’. My career was the last thing on my list!
Further Education
Anyway, as we talked it was obvious that for me there was a bit of a delay with focusing on my career. It was only until I got to college that I realised I needed to really think about what I wanted to ‘do’. It was between being a nail technician or studying media – and I’m really glad I chose the latter (however I still LOVE doing my nails).
This eventually meant that I would go on to graduating at University, still not knowing exactly what I wanted to ‘do’ but learning to be as independent as I could – employing PA’s and making lifelong friends.
Employment Life
So what’s my point of this post? Basically, if you’re feeling a bit behind in life, that is OK. I’m still feeling a bit behind. But in a world that’s not catered to you, things take a bit longer. The thoughts I had when I was younger were normal, but I wish I could show myself where I am now – in a part time job as well as being a blogger. Employed, happy and still busting those daily challenges. Most doors are automatic at work, sometimes I reach the phone with my pen and I still answer in time and I can even have a wee, wehey.
To anyone supporting someone that feels/has felt like me whether that be a friend, family member or employers – be the cheerleader we need just like my family, friends and colleagues are for me.
