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My name is Bonnie, I am 37 and a married mum of two girls who are aged 3 and 4. I am also disabled. I was not born disabled, but about 12 years ago I was diagnosed with a type of inflammatory arthritis (autoimmune disease) called Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), and more recently a pain condition called Fibromyalgia. It is a hidden disability which causes chronic pain stiffness and swelling in my joints, muscles and tendons, extreme fatigue and brain fog to name a few. My symptoms are often debilitating and affect not only my spine but my ankles, knees, hips and shoulders. To manage my disability I take a combination of biological injections to lower my immune system to stop it attacking itself, strong painkillers, nerve pain tablets and anaesthetic plasters (pain patches). I also need regular physiotherapy, joint injections and steroid injections.

My biggest achievement is having my two daughters. There was a time where due to my AS I wasn’t sure if I would be able to go through with a pregnancy, let alone two. Being pregnant with AS was difficult because I did not have anyone who I could relate to, my Rheumatologist couldn’t provide me with any advice as she didn’t have any female AS patients with children.

Fortunately my pregnancies were uncomplicated in terms of the baby but very hard on me physically and in my second pregnancy I had to be admitted to hospital to deal with the pain it caused when I was 7 months pregnant. Fortunately, both my girls (who were born 12 months apart) were healthy 9lb-ers and thriving but after the second baby I was a wreck. My body was literally done in, my core strength was non-existent and my pain levels were through the roof as I had to stop my biological injections prior to the births and then whilst I was breastfeeding. I had two umbilical hernias caused by a large separation of my abdominals and I needed surgery to be put back together.

Whilst I was in no way strong physically, being a disabled woman has helped me to hone my mental skills such as resilience and determination. I have often been told I cannot do things but that has never stopped me from trying. I was keen to go back to my full time position at Ö÷²¥´óÐã Studios and I knew I needed to find another level of resolve in order to firstly, look after a 12 month old and a new born, then again after abdominal surgery to slowly build up my strength.

Fortunately, since coming back to Ö÷²¥´óÐã Studios (I will be celebrating 15 years here in a few months), my Manager was extremely helpful and supportive. Her attitude and care meant that I felt no untoward pressure. She was interested and understood in how my needs had changed not only in terms of my disability being worse but also now being a mum of two young children and she helped me feel comfortable working flexibly and pointed me in the direction of help if I ever needed it.

People often ask me how I manage to live with a hidden disability, look after two young children and work full time and my answer is always because I’m a woman. I wanted children but I also wanted my career. Every day I try my best and that’s enough for me because that is all I ever want my daughters to do. No matter what barriers may be up, I would always want them to try their best to achieve their goals in life to be whatever makes them happy.