International Day of People with Disabilities: Mark's Story
THE Welsh Ambulance Service is celebrating International Day of People with Disabilities.
The United Nations-sanctioned day is the annual celebration of people with disabilities, designed to promote their dignity, rights and well-being.
The Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident employer, the government scheme designed to encourage employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with health conditions.
Mark Phillips is an Ambulance Liaison Supervisor for the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service, based at Glangwili General Hospital.
The 32-year-old, of St Clears, Carmarthenshire, has cerebral palsy and has used a wheelchair since the age of 11.
Prior to joining the service, Mark, who has an LLM in Legal Practice from Aberystwyth University, was Swansea City Football Club’s first disability access officer.
“My cerebral palsy affects the left side of my body and legs,” said Mark.
“When I was young, I crawled rather than walked – I even played football on my knees.
“Aged 11, I had a major operation which dislocated my hip and added metal work to my hips and ankles.
“After my operation, I was devastated to have to watch people playing football, a sport I loved having been inspired by my dad, who ran the junior football set-up when I was growing up.
“Instead of playing football, I found a love for watching it, especially the Swans.
“In my early 20s, I was thrilled to have been appointed the club’s first disability access officer.
“I joined the Welsh Ambulance Service in July, and both colleagues and patients have been so lovely and welcoming.
“But as a wheelchair user, people can sometimes be afraid to talk to me without the risk of offending me, so chose to say nothing at all.
“I think a good sense of humour is key to breaking down barriers with people, so hopefully I bring that to the role.
“I’ve had a few comments from patients that it is nice to see somebody with a disability working here.
“Others have said that if I wasn’t wearing the uniform, they would confused me for a patient.
“I’ve actually used the non-emergency transport service myself over the years when I’ve been back and forth to hospital appointments.
“I consider myself really fortunate to have found work firstly at my dream football club and now with the organisation that has helped me so much over the years – you could say that everything has come full circle.
“Having the opportunity to share my story is something I take great pride in, particularly if it makes other disabled people think they could work in the service.
“If along the way I also alter perceptions about disabled people, then I know I’m doing something right.”
Last year, the Welsh Ambulance Service published an ambitious new plan to improve equality among its workforce and communities.
Claire Vaughan, the Trust’s Director of Workforce and Organisational Development, said: “We want to lead the way as an exemplar employer for diversity, equality, inclusion and fairness.
“This strategy sets out how we intend to do this over the next four years to cultivate an inclusive workforce where our people are enabled to realise their full potential, to flourish and make a positive contribution in the delivery of care.
“We have called it Treating People Fairly to reflect our aim; to treat everyone fairly regardless of who they are, their background or circumstances.”
Click here to read Treating People Fairly, the Trust’s Strategic Equality Plan for 2020-2024.
Visit https://idpwd.org/ for more information on the International Day of People with Disabilities.
Editors Notes
For more information, please call Head of Communications Lois Hough on 01745 778671 or email Lois.Hough@wales.nhs.uk