(In)visible in the workplace

I recently had an article titled ‘Winning at the workplace with cystic fibrosis’ (CF)* published on pharmaceutical TEVA’s website. In the article I posed this pertinent question…

Why have I pretty much hidden away my condition, my big survival achievement and my most meaningful attributes in the workplace in order to get on?

People with CF are some of the most resilient I know and that counts for a lot in the outside world, especially at work, where we don’t sweat the small stuff, are determined to deliver and want to make each day count.  

CF has forced me to live each day with focus and determination. I know how to set deadlines, appreciate the present moment and use my finely tuned coping strategies to get the job done.  

Despite these challenges, I have successfully delivered corporate communications and change initiatives across huge companies like bp and Shell. 

BUT, I’ve had to hide ‘the real me’ my whole career. Unfortunately, all these wonderful attributes have helped me but meant very little to any employer. 

Why? I felt I had to keep it hidden away in order to stay employed, especially as a business consultant where delivery is everything and I didn’t want to show any possible weakness. 

CF is an ‘invisible or hidden disability’. I generally look well from the outside, but the majority of my suffering and trauma lies unseen within my body. 

I have had to put a mask on. I never properly revealed my condition and sadly, I was never offered a job when I raised it during interviews. I’ve also encountered ignorance, bigotry, meanness, bias and ridicule at times when I have raised my condition. 

I have to say that a I have had lots of strong support and compassion from line managers once they understood my health needs, but it can be hit and miss.

This excerpt from my survival book ‘How have I cheated death?’ details how I have had to manage this ‘Business Unusual’ career over the last 25 years. 

It was a huge achievement to not only have time and focus to write my memoir ‘How have I cheated death?’ whilst having CF, a full-time career and a family – but to also get it published. Sadly, I felt I had to hide this massive achievement as it could negatively impact my career. 

This is a photo of me winning a book award in London. I was so proud that night in 2015. It breaks my heart to admit that the next day at work, I didn’t even mention it for the potential negative ramifications of having a life-limiting disease.

Winning the Best Achievement award at the UK People’s Book Prize

Fortunately, a sea change is coming and work culture is changing. Thankfully people are becoming more open to ‘hidden disabilities’ and good business now values diversity, inclusion and belonging. This has been magnified by the pandemic.

I believe now is the right time to remove the mask and be more visible and transparent about my health situation and super-strengths. 

It has been a hellish struggle throughout, but, thank goodness, times seem to be changing and there is now more understanding and kindness in the workplace.  

I’m hopeful that in the future, people with invisible disabilities, can be more transparent, be valued for bringing their full self to work, so that they have careers that are more ‘Business As Usual’. 

Read the full article here Winning at the workplace with cystic fibrosis

I will keep you posted on my life-affirming moments, trials and tribulations as and when they happen. Please keep reading and sharing my blog and sign-up (on the right-hand side tab) if you have not already done so.

Yours cup half full.

Tim

Tim Wotton (author of Award-Winning CF Memoir ‘How have I cheated death?’)

* Cystic Fibrosis is one of the UK’s most common life-threatening inherited diseases, affecting over 10,500 people. The condition affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and digest food. Each week, five babies are born with the condition, however, each week, three young lives are also lost to it. There is currently no cure for CF. However, existing gene therapy trials in the UK are bringing people with the illness closer to a form of cure but CF is not that well known and would benefit from more public donations. For more information and to find out more view the CF Trust Website.