NOTHING CAN STOP LOUGHGUILE’S ANNA KANE!
If you can’t see it you can’t be it – and that’s why an ambitious young North Antrim woman is on a mission to make disability more visible in the workplace.
Mandi Millar reports
Pictures by Sammy McMullan
Anna Kane. Remember the name for it’s likely you’ll be hearing more of this campaigning young woman who’s out to make a difference.
And as a journalist she’s picked the right career to ensure she gets her message across.
Anna (22) from Loughguile, Co Antrim, graduated this summer with a BA (Hons) in journalism and is now studying for her Masters.
It’s come at a price though for she was born with cerebral palsy and so bullied, there were times she felt she couldn’t go on and even thought of taking her own life
“I have a form of cerebral palsy known as quadriplegia which really just means that all four or my limbs are affected. It’s a life-long condition and in my case it happened as a result of complications when I was born,” she explains.
“My right side is more impacted than my left but I’m fully able to walk without any support though I have memory issues too.”
But while some might say Anna’s achievements are despite her cerebral palsy, she’s more likely to say it’s because of it – or more accurately that her cerebral palsy has absolutely nothing to do with anything she does or doesn’t achieve in life.
It’s that kind of pragmatism and determination which has seen her graduate from the Ulster University with First Class Honours, work at UTV and now launch her own social media platforms.
However, as she admits, it hasn’t been without its challenges but that’s what Anna believes gives her a unique perspective into the barriers disabled people can face in the workplace and society generally.
“I don’t like saying it, but I think I’m a good person to advocate for people like me because of all I’ve been through!” says Anna who was always aware that she was different to other kids.
“Up until P6 or P7 in my primary school everyone just seemed to accept me the way I was but as we got older, because I walk with a limp, that’s when the comments started.
“But it didn’t stop me you know!”
Sadly, though the bullying didn’t stop either.
“Thank God it was never physical bullying but I felt it was emotional and verbal. I can be very honest about it now because I’ve had therapy,” says Anna who lived with depression and even had suicidal thoughts because of it all.
“But that’s behind me now and it’s actually helped give me that unique take on how disability is viewed in today,” continues Anna, who always had ambitions towards the media which she saw could help her show the ability of so-called disabled people.
Studying for A-levels at Dalriada Grammar in Ballymoney, she says helped transform her trajectory.
“I have great friends from Dalriada and it was a really supportive culture. I studied performing arts at A-level which really boosted my confidence – as well as English literature and health and social care, just to keep my options open,” continues Anna who got the grades she needed for her course at UU.
“And what an incredible experience that was. The Coleraine campus is so inclusive. From day one it’s been like another family to me. I’d a support worker and all the help I needed. Nothing was a bother.
“It was such a confidence builder, for you just felt you were part of this big supportive network.
“Of course it’s not always the case, even from people you’d think would know better. Donald Trump has made some comments about people with disabilities, Some people can just be awful, but you have to block them out!” continues Anna though she reckons the media still has a way to go to ensure adequate representation of people like her.
“I didn’t see too many people like me on the TV when I was growing up which was why someone like Alex Brooker was just so good.
“People though are still surprised by someone like him but that shouldn’t be the case– it should just be, oh there’s Alex Brooker. His disability shouldn’t be the thing that marks him out,” says Anna who feels society still doesn’t always quite ‘get’ her community.
“There’s still sometimes an element of pity that some people have for you and there are so many misunderstandings and misconceptions about what people with disabilities are capable of.
“Yes there is more inclusivity but the stigma is still there.
“Even with the Paralympics people say the athletes are so ‘inspirational’ but sometimes you feel there’s a sense of pity too.
“Some people with disabilities might be ok with that but others like me just want to get up and get on with it!”
And of course that’s what she’s done, with a placement at UTV showing just what could be possible for her in the future.
“I really got my eyes opened there both about the media and about just how supportive a work environment can be. They didn’t pussyfoot around me and it’s made me believe I can do it,” says Anna whose ability more than matches her ambitions.
“I can really see myself working in the media now. Yes I’ve had challenges and I’m sure there’ll be more. But here, do you know what, I just get on with it. It is what it is!”
THIS STORY APPEARS IN OUR NORTH COAST/BALLYMENA EDITION OF LOCAL WOMEN MAGAZINE
