Supporting Employees with Invisible Disabilities at DWP

Vicki, a Universal Credit Case Manager, has fibromyalgia, a long-term condition that causes widespread pain all over the body. 

Vicki tells us more about her health condition, how it affects her everyday life, and the balance of support she has in place to help her.

“Fibromyalgia means there’s heightened nerve endings all over the body that hurt. It’s unpredictable as to when it comes on, and levels of pain can change on an hourly basis and depend on external factors, like whether I'm too hot or too cold.”

Vicki also has chronic fatigue syndrome and although she’s always exhausted and fatigued, she often can't sleep: “Lack of sleep is usually down to the fibromyalgia pain. Unfortunately, a certain level of pain has become the new normal and I’ve gradually had to get used to it.”
 

Explaining a non-visible condition

Vicki’s often found it hard to explain her largely non-visible condition so other people can understand her illness, how it affects her and what they can do to help.

She continued: “It means a lot when people take time out to do some research so they can support me – that understanding is invaluable.

“I’ve been in situations where I’ve felt people think this condition is all in my head – it makes me feel awful that that’s how people see me. I got to the stage, before I was diagnosed, that even I became convinced it was all in my head. It was a relief in some ways to finally get a diagnosis and have the knowledge to help me deal with it.

“Face to face, it’s much easier for people to tell how much the chronic pain affects me. More virtual contact these days means those cues are harder to spot. I try to let people know if it’s not a good day, so they don’t take it personally if I’m a bit sensitive.

“On a bad day, I use crutches or a walking frame to get around, and on the occasional good day, I can use a walking stick. I move around as the variation in pain makes it very difficult to settle and keep a comfortable position.”
 

Good balance of support

Vicki has workplace adjustments in place and an incredibly supportive team: “My team leader has been understanding and approachable about my condition and, although work is often busy and can be stressful, the support and friendship of my colleagues really helps.

“At work I have one of those high-rising desks and an adjustable chair – the equipment is great and I don't think I could work for long periods of time without it. I can take extra breaks when needed, and people are used to me moving around to find a comfortable position. I also have equipment at home for when my health condition is at its worst physically or mentally.

“I've got the balance of support that I need and trust me when I say that support is essential and valued.”

THRIVE (DWP's disability colleague network) are holding different events for all DWP colleagues to mark International Day of People with Disabilities.