To raise awareness for Disability Pride Month our University of Hull Disability Staff Network ran a mini campaign called "This is Me".
The aim was to share stories of those with a disability working or studying at the University. It's an opportunity to learn about a range of disabilities, how it can affect people and where to look if you want to understand the conditions further. But most importantly, it's about the people behind the story and how their disability may not define them, but it is part of who they are - This is Me!
Thank you to all the staff and students who have shared their lived experience with us.
We appreciate your time, your vulnerability to disclose and your contribution to fostering an inclusive culture at the University.
This Is Me - Eliza (she/her) shares her experience with Raynaud’s phenomenon and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
"Since being diagnosed and coming to accept that diagnosis, I have found I feel less like I need to fit in and can be myself. I have since fully and unapologetically embraced who I am and my special interests (Percy Jackson series!). This has been vital to me as I am now happier than ever."
For Eliza's full "This Is Me" post view the PDF below!
This Is Me - Zoë (she/they) shares her experience with hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
"I attempt to put my lived experience to good use throughout my professional life. Wherever possible, I aim to advocate for the needs of disabled people. I also try to raise awareness about the intersectionality between health and other protected characteristics, as well as the impact these relationships can have one each other."
For Zoë's full "This Is Me" post view the PDF below! Or have a look at the video below where Zoë shared their lived experience for our Disability History Month event!
This Is Me - Graham (he/him) shares his experience with bilateral sensori-neural hearing loss, through an auditory neuropathy.
"I am always open about my deafness and will happily talk about it to anyone who wants to know more. One of the biggest barriers to my deafness is people not understanding what it means, and therefore the more I do to raise awareness of it, the easier it gets for me."
For Graham's full "This Is Me" post view the PDF below!
This Is Me - Nick (he/him) shares his experience with ADHD.
"For me it means a lot of external distractions, I always need to be hearing noise and not a massive fan of quiet time, even when studying. It also means moving about a lot and fidgeting all the time, I was a drummer growing up and was always tapping my feet."
For Nick's full "This Is Me" post view the PDF below!
This Is Me - Lauren (she/her) shares her experience with Crohn's and Raynaud's Disease.
"[Medication and infusions] keep it in remission as much as possible and help to limit my symptoms which can include considerable pain, fatigue, lack of appetite and weight loss."
For Lauren's full "This Is Me" post view the PDF below!
This Is Me - Barbara (she/her) shares her experience with Meningococcal Encephalitis.
"I cope by keeping lots of diaries and notes everywhere and I have had to accept I can’t do everything I could before. I use a motorized scooter when I am having a bad day."
For Barbara's full "This Is Me" post view the PDF below!
This Is Me - Ben (he/him) shares his experience with Panhypopituitarism, Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome.
"Panhypopituitarism has affected me in many ways, primarily with my growth and development. [CVS] often includes having stomach pain, being unable to talk or move and other symptoms include dizziness, headache, dehydration."
For Ben's full "This Is Me" post view the PDF below!
This Is Me - Suzanne (she/her) shares her experience.
"I have had to wear hearing aids for the past two years and have had quite a lot of adjustments to make both at home and at work, especially after moving from a small office to a large open plan space at the start of 2024."
For Suzanne's full "This Is Me" post view the PDF below!
This Is Me - Hayley (she/her) shares her experience with Dyslexia.
"It’s very difficult to give an overview of dyslexia as every individual responds differently. I always knew to a certain extent that I struggled with reading and writing, particularly if it’s in front of people."
For Hayley's full "This Is Me" post view the PDF below!
