When I speak to people about my job and career there are always a couple of generic reactions or comments that follow. Anyone working in the disability sector I’m sure will read this and roll their eyes thinking “That’s so true! I always get that!”.

After the common question of “What do you do for a living?” I explain what I do, usually briefly, and the most common replies or comments that follow are: “Wow that must be very hard, I could never do that” or “Doesn’t that make you sad?” or my personal favourite “Oh that’s so kind of you, you’re such a good person.” I find that the more people I meet the more I begin to understand just how little the general public really know about disability work and people with disabilities in general. This concerns me. There are a number of misconceptions about people with disabilities that anyone in this sector would understand are very challenging to overcome or change.

For anyone reading this and thinking in their heads “I would probably ask that,” yes, disability work is a challenging career choice. As workers we are constantly faced with challenges and obstacles and sometimes just ‘hard days’. In saying that though, I don’t believe people take up a career in this field because they want an easy job where they wake up, go to work, use absolutely no brain power, clock off and forget about it until 9am the next day. I personally love a challenge and wouldn’t be able to work in an environment that wasn’t psychologically, physically and intellectually stimulating.

This job requires initiative, flexibility, creativity and energy. We are working with people’s lives, their families, their children, their mothers and fathers, their futures. Yes it can be difficult and at times taxing, but the rewards far outweigh challenges. It could be the simplest of things such as the first time a client rides a bike on their own, the first time they write their name clearly without you holding their hand steady, a smile, a laugh, a finished artwork that has taken weeks of commitment from them to complete or one lap of the swimming pool. Whatever their goal, when we see progress or achievements, however big or small, it is a step forward and can make a huge difference in that person and their family’s lives. All of the hard days put together are worth it when I see progress and happiness in an individual.

As for the whole “you must be a kind person” response, that’s one that I’m sure everyone has experienced at least once throughout their career. Having a kind heart and a good soul is a personal thing; it’s not actually in the job criteria, but I guess it does help. Each and every one of the people I work with are good people. They are good at their jobs and in order to be effective in their role they need a certain element of understanding and flexibility. I don’t believe that working in this field gives you an instant invitation to Heaven, but I do believe that it makes you a humanitarian: someone who sees the value in each and every individual on this planet regardless of ability, gender, age, race etc. and who believes that we all deserve a chance to reach our full potential.

The only way we can change these misconceptions is if we as workers and advocates of people with disabilities use our voices and get the word out! When you speak to people and you get one of these responses, turn their attitude around! Educate people, explain to them what we do and what you enjoy about this work.  If you are thinking of a career working with people with disability, but have no experience or prior knowledge I would suggest volunteering. You can volunteer as little or as much as you like with hours that suit you and this will give you a real insight into the diverse and energetic world of disability and community care.