I was born with hearing loss, but it wasn’t diagnosed until I was four years old. Those early years were confusing – I knew the world felt different for me, but I didn’t understand why. In mainstream preschool I struggled to connect and keep up, always behind and without the right support. Moving into a special educational needs school gave me access to the help I needed, but it also came with labels that made me feel boxed in. Returning to mainstream high school meant starting the same battles all over again – trying to prove myself and trying not to feel like I didn’t belong.
On top of that came epilepsy. Being diagnosed young brought a constant sense of fear, never knowing when seizures might arrive. Between my hearing loss and epilepsy, my childhood often felt like an uphill struggle. There were days I wondered if I’d ever live life like other people. But looking back, I can see that those challenges gave me something important – resilience. They taught me to keep going against the odds and gave me deep empathy for anyone who knows what it feels like to be left out, misunderstood, or underestimated.
Those experiences became the foundation for everything I’ve done since. My first step into turning that strength into something positive was becoming a youth worker. Many of the young people I worked with were facing struggles of their own, and I could see myself in their doubts and frustrations. Using my story to encourage them, I reminded them that there was always a way forward. The small moments meant the most – seeing a young person open up, smile again, or dare to hope. It showed me the power of simply having someone in your corner.
Later, I worked in adult social care, supporting adults with disabilities to live more independently. I saw the barriers society places on people, but I also witnessed incredible strength. I watched people grow in confidence, build skills, and achieve things they’d been told were impossible. My role wasn’t to take over, but to walk alongside them, encourage them, and remind them of their own ability. That lesson has stayed with me – true empowerment comes not from doing things for people, but from helping them discover their strength.
Now I work in the employability sector, helping people return to work. For me, this ties my whole journey together. Employment is about more than money – it’s about dignity, stability, and having a place in the world. Many I meet have been told they’ll never work again, or they carry years of rejection and self-doubt. Seeing the moment when they realise they do have something to offer, and that their contribution matters, is exactly why I do this work.
This journey led me to create Stronger Together. For me, it’s not just a name but a belief I live by. Real change doesn’t happen alone. It happens when we stand side by side. Stronger Together is about collaboration, not competition. It’s about building on the incredible work already being done by charities, schools, organisations, and employers, and amplifying it. At its core, it’s about belonging – ensuring no one is left behind, whether disabled, neurodivergent, or facing barriers of any kind. It’s about creating a world where everyone can thrive, belong, and shine.
Becoming a Member Ambassador for the Institute of Employability Professionals has been another step in this journey. It isn’t just about being part of a professional body – it’s about using my lived experience to give something back. It’s about showing that lived experience isn’t a weakness, but a strength, and making sure that voice is heard within the sector.
I’m proud and excited to be part of The Neurodivergence Project, supporting neurodivergent individuals through tailored outdoor activities, ongoing support, and new initiatives. Its mission to build confidence, promote inclusion, and focus on strengths reflects everything I believe in. By breaking down barriers and creating opportunities, I see the project making a real difference, and I’m honoured to be part of a team working to create a more inclusive world.
Looking back, my journey has been full of challenges, but defined by determination. My hearing loss and epilepsy could have held me back, but instead they shaped the person I’ve become. Every step has reinforced one truth – we are stronger together. That’s not just a motto, it’s the way I live my life, the reason I keep pushing forward, and the belief that drives me to help create a world where everyone, no matter their story, has the chance to belong, thrive, and shine.