Today it was an absolute privilege to take part in a panel discussion at work to discuss neurodiversity and the impact being a carer can have on us in the workplace. For an hour we spoke about the faults with the education system, the toll the constant battle by for our children takes and the effect that can have on our performance and presence at work. Personal stories were told, tears were shed and a fantastic audience listened intently as we discussed our respective journeys and answered their questions.
I will happily admit I felt a mix of pride and nerves when I was first asked to take part some weeks back, torn between my desire to normalise the conversation around autism and neurodiversity and my fear of public speaking. Those nerves were made no easier when I saw the rather large stage for the first time, overlooked by a very large picture of yours truly staring back at me! But as is always the case with such challenges the reality was nowhere near as daunting as I had feared, the conversation flowing and the audience nodding and smiling in agreement with our tales.
I feel very lucky to work for a firm that is proactive in making such conversations part of our everyday narrative, because understanding each other is key to a successful business especially in one where our only “product” is our people.
I’m not sure I’m cut out for a career on the stage but I will certainly continue to take every opportunity I can to raise #autismawareness.
Thank you to AOShearman for holding this event and for those individuals that made it happen.