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Is becoming disabled a time to consider a career change? Perhaps disability is an opportunity to re-define what we want to do with our life, and a chance to do it? Karen Darke shares her personal story of how becoming paraplegic changed her work as a geologist and offers some coaching tips on returning to work with a disability.

I chose to be a geologist because of my interest in mountains and fervour for being outdoors climbing, cycling, or running. I obtained a degree in Earth Sciences, but when I finished, I struggled to find a job. I was all set to take a year off and bike around the world. Then I was offered a Ph.D in geology, with a field area in the Bolivian Andes. It seemed a fantastic opportunity to explore South America and to climb in one of the greatest mountain ranges! I moved to Scotland to start the research. I was young, fit, surrounded by mountains, content with my playground and the path that life was taking.

One day, one second . . . and everything changed. One week before my first field season in Bolivia, I fell off a cliff whilst leading a rock climb. I was paralysed from the chest down, and the course of my life was re-defined.

During my six months of rehab, I thought hard about what was next. How could I be a geologist when I couldn’t roam around the mountains and study the rocks? My work in the Andes needed to involve mapping of glacial features, collecting rock samples from remote locations, not to mention just living and working in the remoteness of the high altitude mountain land. My field areas were mostly around 5,000 metres. Would I manage the cold, the altitude, the terrain, in a wheelchair?

I was fortunate in that the University offered me full funding to re-start my Ph.D once I was fit to leave hospital. I would have to modify the objectives of the research so that I could do it on wheels, but I would still work in the Andes and go there to do the necessary fieldwork. 

I was relieved. So much had changed in my life in such a small space of time, and I was glad that I could return to the work I’d been doing. But I was also apprehensive. Would I manage the fieldwork? What about the lab work and carrying deadly chemicals around? I was very willing to try.

In the spinal injuries unit I was surrounded by others in similar positions, those who were forced through their disability to consider leaving ‘old’ work behind. Some had received compensation and were able to take time out, re-train, and consider what to do next. But there were lots of us who wanted to get back to work as soon as possible. With willingness and a creative approach, many of us were able to return to our chosen work, especially now that businesses and public organisations have a commitment to inclusion and non-discrimination.

I field-worked in the Andes, found ways to manoeuvre nitric acid safely, and finished the PhD. I worked as a geologist for 10 years, and joined professional field courses, reaching the rocks by donkey, hand-cycle and other unusual means. Where the will is strong enough, a surprising amount is possible, but the will has to be two-sided (i.e., the organisation you work for must be as willing to work with you and do what they can to enable you to use your skills, as you are to use them. 

Disability doesn’t have to change your work, but it may change you or your aspirations so that you are led in a new career direction. Or you may struggle to find a practical way to do what you used to do. Becoming disabled made me question what was important, search for meaning, and discover that being a geologist wasn’t the right career for me anymore.

I met a paralysed farmer who found ways to adapt his combined harvester so that he could get lifted up into the seat, and drive it with hand controls. I even heard of a blind dentist! I guess many disabled people would struggle to get a job as a paramedic or an airline pilot, but beyond the practicalities, I think the biggest barrier to following our chosen career is our own mind, and the attitudes of our potential employers. Both of these are things we can influence.

I now work in ‘development training’—coaching, facilitating, writing, and speaking. Here are a few questions I found myself asking when I was paralysed, and some tips from my experience that may help you consider getting back to work with a disability.

Do I need to change my work?
How much do you like what you do? I think it’s important to do work that you enjoy, and to find purpose in it. Otherwise it can wear you down, adding extra stress where you don’t need it. That’s not related to having a disability, but becoming disabled may mean you think about what you want to be doing with your life more. It might catalyse something like a ‘mid-life’ crisis, at any age!  It may shift your aspirations, because it changes the way you look at the world. A job you once did may no longer be appealing. Or a job you once did may no longer be possible, even with a strong will and creative approach. Consider what is important to you, whether you think you could do it, and then go for it. Don’t limit yourself. Talk to other people and research options. In most countries, there are government organisations, careers advisors, or professional medical staff who could be useful sources of information and support.

What are my physical barriers to working?
These might be the most obvious challenges to returning to work. Can you access the premises? Can you use the equipment or machinery you need to? Can you get to work? Can you drive or find accessible transport? These issues are usually solvable, especially if you work for a larger organisation that can find funding and have social responsibility agendas to make physical changes that enable you to work. If you work for a small organisation, public or charitable funding often exists to help with practical changes wherever possible. With regard to transport, it might be worth considering where you live in relation to your work, so that it is possible or easier for you to get there without moving into the office!

Do I have any mental or emotional barriers to going back to work?
Becoming disabled may change the way you see yourself. Your self-esteem may have taken a hit, or you’re struggling to see how full-time work is possible. Could you start part time, with the option to build up? How could you ease yourself back into work gradually? Who could give you emotional support in getting back to work: friends, family, professional organisations? Your disability may be intriguing, different, or uncomfortable to colleagues at first, but that usually passes very quickly and soon it becomes normal to everyone.

Other challenges?
Every disability is unique. However, it is possible that it will change your daily routine, and often increase the amount of time you need to spend on personal care. You may want to find ways to have more control or flexibility over the structure of your day. Your disability may require you to be more active or spend more time doing physiotherapy. Can you structure your time to suit you better? Your employer may be open to you working flexibly or with a different approach, and it’s important to discuss this with your supervisor. Ultimately it may lead to you staying healthy and happy, and therefore producing better work.   

I think the important thing is to consider any new challenges your disability has introduced, and be honest and aware of your different needs. This will help you find a career or pattern of working that fits you and keeps stress to a minimum.

Coaching tools that may help
The “G-WAVE:
(This isn’t a sexual technique, but a coaching tool I find useful.)

G – GOAL. What would you like to achieve? What work, lifestyle, work-life balance etc.
W – WHY? Why do you want this? Dig into your motivations so you know why.
A – ACTION. What can you do today, this week, or next month to make things happen? What barriers might you need to address and how?
V – VISION. If you can create what you want in your mind, see it happening already, then you’re more likely to be successful. Think about it. Picture it. Share it.
E – ENGAGE SUPPORT. Who can help you? Friends, family, connections, organisations. Professional (health) staff? Professional work bodies? Funding organisations?

Be SMART
Be SMART about your goals. Here’s a quick reminder if you’ve haven’t come across the SMART tool before. 

S – Specific, significant stretching
M – Measurable, meaningful, motivational
A – Agreed-upon, attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-oriented
R – Realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-oriented
T – Time-based, timely, tangible, trackable.