By Eve Blezard, Networks Project Manager, HQN

My life was very different when I began working in the housing sector. I started in homelessness in my late twenties, fortunate to be fit, healthy, and active.

Eager to learn, I enrolled in a post graduate diploma in housing practice, alongside my new job. Initially, I thought a ‘housing policy’ module might be dry, but I loved every minute. I found my place in housing and enjoyed learning about the importance of policy and practice in residents’ lives.

A few years later, I was working in tenant engagement in Salford and starting my doctorate, focusing on the significance of community for social housing residents. Then, life took a turn. I went through a divorce and became a single parent. When I started feeling run down and unwell, I attributed it to a tough year. However, the fatigue persisted, my joints ached, and I constantly felt like I was coming down with something.

My job involved running community events, which were busy and physically demanding. One day, after collecting several cars full of coats for a winter coat drive, I found I couldn’t do any more. I wasn’t even sure if I could drive home. After numerous medical appointments, tests, and even surgery, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Endometriosis.

I could no longer do my ‘frontline’ job, go to the gym, or walk the dog at lunchtime. Some days, just getting up felt like an achievement. Determined, I continued my PhD, which was important both personally and professionally.

Struggling with academic writing, I was referred for a disability assessment and discovered I have learning difficulties and issues with my working memory. I hit the trifecta of disabilities, and it was tough, not just day to day but also in accepting how it changed me and how others saw me. I had transitioned from being a fit and active police officer to struggling both physically and mentally.

Why share this? Why blog about something so personal? Well, it’s Disability Pride month, and I feel very differently about my life and my disability now.

I have continued to have a fulfilling and successful career and am close to finishing my PhD. This is thanks to inclusive employers who have ensured my disability isn’t a barrier in the housing sector.

Small accommodations, like a different keyboard, ergonomic mouse, or read-aloud software, have made a significant difference. Most importantly, I have had supportive and understanding management throughout my career.

This is crucial for the sector to improve and become more inclusive for disabled residents and employees, reflecting society as a whole. A huge part for me was not just practical support but feeling valued and welcomed as a disabled staff member.

Covid-19, in particular, has pushed us to be creative about how, when and where we work, enabling better balance in our lives. I have an adapted home office with specialist software and hardware and have been fortunate to work mainly from home for several years. This saves me time and energy to focus on my work and family.

Speaking of family, my amazing little boy was born during the height of lockdown. Initially, we thought his lack of communication was due to shielding, but it soon became clear he was on his own journey. Last year, he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, significant global developmental delay, and a speech and communication disorder. At four, he is classified as non-verbal, though he does enjoy learning and repeating words he shouldn’t. He starts school in September, which will be a huge challenge, but he is full of joy and love.

Many years ago, he would have been institutionalised, and I wouldn’t be working. This makes me proud of Disability Pride. I am proud of how far things have come and of us both for living in a world not quite made for us but making it our own.

However, the Housing Ombudsman’s Relationship of Equals and the recent LUHC Committee report on housing for disabled people show we still have a long way to go. We must use the momentum gained during the pandemic, not only in terms of what can be achieved through remote working. Work isn’t about being in a set place at set hours; it’s about someone’s contribution and how people can be supported to make an impact.

Reflecting on my journey, being disabled and working in the housing sector has shown me the immense value of inclusion. Disability Pride is not just about celebrating our achievements but also about recognising the importance of creating a supportive and accessible environment for everyone.