Your stories
17th October 2021
"My advice is to take all the opportunities you can get, don’t ever think you can’t do something, until you try, and never listen to people who tell you not to."
My name is Patricia, I was born in 1960 with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. I had surgery at 3 months old to insert a VP shunt and fortunately have never had any issues with it. I attended a special needs school (Fleming Fulton) from the age of 4-18.
An early regret was not being given the opportunity to attend mainstream school. The focus of teaching in the 1960’s was to prepare young people with disabilities for independence rather than academia, having qualifications or getting a job. It was assumed that the next stage would be to go to a work centre to carry out menial tasks, such a filling medical bags so we could keep our benefits. That route was not for me…
I always had a keen interest in typing and left school with my RSA stage 1 typing exam. After leaving school I attended night school (as it was called in the 1970’s) and got my English O level. I managed to get a job as a typist in the civil service. However, this was not without its problems, and I was unfairly dismissed. I appealed the decision and won the case. I worked for 18 years in the dole office, followed by an administration job in Castle Court in Belfast. I’m currently working in support dealing with change of circumstances in benefits. I have no intention of retiring, as I believe, if feeling well enough, I’ll keep going.
I’m glad that attitudes and opportunities have improved for young people in society today. I felt isolated growing up and only saw friends at school as no one lived close to me. At that time any socialising took place at after school clubs run by PHAB.
I established contact with Shine Charity in my later years and appreciate knowing that they are always there to offer support and advice when needed. I have enjoyed meeting up with other members of Shine at social events, as I love eating out, attending concerts and the cinema.
My advice is to take all the opportunities you can get, don’t ever think you can’t do something, until you try, and never listen to people who tell you not to.
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