Ablepreneurs Stories

I’ve always been creative and over the years I’ve tried so many I’ve lost count. About 12 years ago I was developing my skills in the area of patchwork and quilting. I was starting to sell my work, I had a job I loved and had become a Granny. Life was good!

At the start of the summer term 12 years ago I developed severe pain in my shoulders and neck, I saw my GP was prescribed some stronger painkillers, and was told it should resolve in 6-8 weeks. It didn’t. 

 An MRI showed I had Cervical Spondylosis, a form of osteoarthritis in my neck and I was told that because of the strain it put on my neck and shoulders I had to stop patchwork and quilting. I was devastated.

Fast forward to the following February and as as my symptoms had continued to get worse  I had surgery on my neck to remove two discs, and to fuse three vertebrae. I was then signed off until the end of the summer term and once again it was back to physio. I was still in a lot of pain and was told the surgery was designed to stop things getting worse not to resolve them. As well as the original diagnosis I had also developed mobility problems which meant the use of crutches, chronic pain syndrome  affecting my neck, shoulders and arms, mixed depression and anxiety disorder and fatigue.

I went back to work in September but now working just 3 days a week. I was thrilled to be back and had a lovely welcome back from staff and pupils. While I loved my role even with the equipment in place that Access to Work had recommended I continued to find it challenging, especially as I very rarely managed to get a break during the day.  I loved my job and  working with vulnerable children and families. I wanted to show that disability did not mean you couldn’t do a demanding job or be a senior leader. The worst thing though was the attitude of some staff members who seemed to think that my disability extended to my cognitive ability, knowledge and expertise. Teaching, especially the type of work I did as an Inclusion Manager is more demanding than a lot of people realise.

I gradually found it becoming increasingly hard to keep going and eventually reluctantly decided it was time to think about applying for early retirement. Two weeks after the start of the Summer term I remember struggling across the school hall to take my group back to class unaware that the Head was watching me. As I returned he looked at me and just said “It’s time” I went to my office, cried then left the school. I then had to go through the process of applying for Early Retirement, something which is becoming harder to get and which in itself was emotionally draining . My Union Rep was very helpful and finally after many meetings  it was agreed at the enhanced level which gave my pension a bit of a boost.

It was a horrendous time and it’s still a painful one to look back on. It shattered my self confidence and l felt lost, what was I going to do now that would leave me feeling fulfilled, challenged and busy?

I had already started doing a bit of origami as I had discovered it was something I could do, and I had also discovered there were only so many origami models any one person could have and that I found it easier to fold smaller pieces of paper. On day, out of nowhere I started wondering if it was possible to make origami jewellery. I experimented, taught myself some simple jewellery making skills practiced, and started to learn about selling online shop. With the encouragement of friends I started selling at local markets and online. I found people liked what I was doing and that they bought it! Markets were the boost my self esteem and self-confidence needed. I did my first market 10 years ago and the following year I was stunned when I won my Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday award!

Most of my jewellery is made using paper from unwanted copies of old books across a wide range of genres and each purchase includes the name of the book used. I also use vintage sheet music and this year I have introduced a new range made from a traditional handmade Japanese washi paper. I love what I do and the income is welcome as it supplements my pension. Running my very small business gives me so much more though, it gives me something to do and learn about and also makes sure I get out of the house. I’ve made some good friends through it and knowing that people like what I make is a wonderful feeling.

It’s not always easy though, nothing has gone away and my limitations when it comes to how much I can fold or make in one day puts a ceiling on the size of my business, if I do much my arms become tired, heavy and painful and all I can do is rest. Using a laptop gets painful too after a while and markets are exhausting – and pain triggering. Being an Ablepreneur (I love that name) brings unique challenges and there are times when I get frustrated by my limitations and this frustration is always worse when I’m tired and hurting. I’m getting better but I do tend to push myself too hard which results either in a bout of fatigue or I have to let someone down by not being able to attend a market at the last minute

My business may be tiny but it’s mine and it’s something I’ve built by myself and I’m proud of it and myself. I love my new life post teaching – most of the time and often reflect on the irony that if I hadn’t become disabled I wouldn’t have started it.