I Thank AxSpa for My New Career Path

When I got diagnosed with AxSpa, I was transitioning in my career. I did not know at the time how much this move was needed and timely. I remember at the job interview for my new post I mentioned that I had pain in my feet. I wasn’t aware my arthritis had started there.

My physical break down

I went through a physical breakdown, with great difficulty walking because of the pain. I would not sleep well at night and I was tired every day. I then realized that accepting a part-time post was the best decision I have ever made. I was originally keen on moving to the Charity sector after ten years of Academic research, and I was ready to take a pay cut by considering this post.

A new career due to axial spondyloarthritis

It ended up being a savior for the management of my condition, having to adapt to a new set of circumstances and needs that I was not used to. It helped me deal with my symptoms, my colleagues were understanding, and I could work flexi-time. I was grateful to my supervisor who supported me. It was not easy to communicate about the condition because everything was new and I was overwhelmed.

I contacted the Charity NASS (National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society, UK) and became a member. They sent me an information pack, and one leaflet was about work. It was useful to have this leaflet to give to my colleagues so they could read what was going on for me without me having to struggle to explain my situation.

I learned to think outside of the box

Living with AxSpa has changed my life and my perspectives significantly, and has taught me to adapt and think outside the box in terms of career. After five years working in an office, even part-time, it became quite clear that the settings of a desk-based job were not suitable for me anymore. I tried to make arrangements at my desk, take regular breaks, go for a walk. I was working one day from home (versus three days in the office) to reduce the fatigue related to the commute and have more flexibility in my way of working. That just did not work for me anymore, I felt bad physically and mentally, by being sat at the desk and working at the computer all week.

I had this permanent position in the field that suits my qualifications and my work experience, and I felt stuck. I felt stuck because I could not carry on working in a way that doesn’t suit my body and my mental health. Yet it was difficult to think about what else I could do. How could I justify quitting this job, without having any idea of what happens next? It could not be just an escape. And something was clear to me: I wanted to carry on working and learning.

Then, I saw a post from a University friend who was looking for case studies for her Diploma in Life Coaching. I jumped on the occasion and said to her I was in need of thinking about my career and finding a new activity that fits my needs. I worked for six months with her and it was a life-changing process. It provided me with confidence, new ideas about how to design my future career, and an action plan in order to get a dream job. I felt empowered and positive about my ability to carrying on working and coping better with AxSpa at the same time.

I realized I wanted to help people

Since then, I left my job in the Charity sector and enrolled in a course to become a Life Coach. I found out I wanted to help people to set realistic goals and elaborate action plans, support them in making the changes they want in their life in order to live better with long term conditions. I wanted to offer people what was offered to me through coaching.

Today, I am a Coach in Personal Performance and I run my own business in the field of self-management. This job gives me satisfaction as every session is different, energizing, and I feel useful and fulfilled. It also provides me with flexibility as sessions happen in various settings (on the phone, on Skype, or face-to-face). So I can move around and adapt my work schedule, and that makes me feel good.

I have always been fascinated by people who decide to change careers, way before I made that crucial step forward myself. If you have transitioned in your career following a diagnosis, please share your stories! Thank you.