Imagine being told you won’t live past 13 years old due to being born with a life-limiting chronic genetic condition called Sickle Cell Anaemia. Now imagine that through sheer determination, God’s blessing and community support, you get a 1st class Master’s in Pharmacy and start working your dream job as a clinical pharmacist in a busy NHS hospital, only to be forced from the workplace due to your health challenges. Well, that was me.

The impact of my condition on my education, life, and goals was extremely challenging. My health deteriorated, I spent months in the hospital multiple times a year and working not only became unsustainable due to workplace pressures and discrimination but a risk to my health too. As a result, I had to leave my career behind, and in doing so, a one-year career break became four years of being an ‘expert patient’ and not much else - or so I thought.

For a long time, I felt stuck, not knowing if and how I could get back into employment and have the career I had worked so hard to get. I knew I had skills and potential, but I lacked the guidance and confidence to take the next step. As I lay in my hospital bed for the 10th time that year, that’s when I discovered the SIC Learning Hub. It turned out to be exactly what I needed.

Finding support from the SIC Learning Hub

I first came across a SIC advert while doom-scrolling on Instagram. I was initially sceptical - there are so many resources out there, but not all of them truly understand the struggles of what it’s like to want to work but to need your physical needs and disability truly supported - but what stood out about SIC’s advert was its commitment to accessible and inclusive support, helping people from all backgrounds to thrive in the workplace. Taking notice of the surroundings I was in (my hospital bed), I concluded that I had nothing to lose, so I reached out and filled out the application form.

From my very first interaction with Alice, I felt heard, supported and safe. Safe enough to disclose that I was currently an inpatient and that I would miss the first in-person event due to hip replacement surgery. Unlike other career services that offer generic advice, SIC took the time to understand my unique situation and goals, ensuring my health and healing period were not neglected in the process. Alice explained that the sessions would be online, with the last session being in person, as well as how SIC could cater for my needs both physical and mental.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was navigating the world of jobs and careers I could move into and understanding my transferable skills. I was looking for help writing a personalised CV that stood out and deciding what kind of job or field I want to work in. I was also struggling to find the confidence to know that even with a long-term disability, I’m still valuable to the right employer.

The varied workshops and one-on-one support from my mentor, Abigail - who worked with me to build my confidence - made a huge difference. They helped me identify my values, which in turn helped me narrow down my increasing employment choices. Through their CV writing sessions, I learned how to highlight my skills effectively, even those I had overlooked as unimportant.

An image of Sadeh's lego sculpture from a SIC workshop. To the right is a lego model of Sadeh, a young brown woman with black hair, holding a stethoscope, on a green lego base. Also on the base is a lego plant, a lego flame, and other blocks — Sadeh’s lego model of herself and her experiences, from a SIC career session.

Before SIC, I thought my work history wasn’t impressive enough due to the length of time I had been off work. SIC helped me reframe my experience in a way employers found valuable, including using skills I had developed as an ‘expert patient’ such as advocacy and resilience.

The reverse job fair was a game-changer. I no longer liked talking about myself or my goals, stumbling over my answers and second-guessing myself. With SIC’s expert guidance, I learned to articulate my strengths confidently, structure my responses clearly and showcase the positive ways having a disability can make me and others great assets to the right employers.

Sadeh Graham, a brown woman wearing a pink headscarf, standing in front of her banner at the SIC reverse jobs fair. — Sadeh standing in front of her amazing banner at the SIC reverse jobs fair.

What I appreciated most about SIC was its focus on long-term career success, not just helping people land any job so it looks good for their outcomes. The team provided insights into professional development, workplace confidence, and career growth. Through its support, I also discovered opportunities I hadn’t considered before. SIC opened my eyes to different career paths, including self-employment and with the team’s encouragement, I applied for roles I previously thought were out of my reach.

Thanks to SIC’s support, I’ve been able to really consider jobs that are suitable for me in all aspects of my life that also reflect my values. For someone like me with an ‘all or nothing’ personality, I feel empowered to know I now have the tools and confidence to keep growing in my career without having to compromise my health in the process.

For anyone struggling with job applications, career uncertainty, or self-doubt, I can’t recommend the SIC Learning Hub enough. Its tailored approach and genuine support make all the difference. If you’re looking for guidance or want to become unstuck like me, I strongly recommend reaching out to the team, as you might just find the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for. Remember, you are valuable, and nothing is impossible.

This article was written by Sadeh Graham, Clinical Pharmacist and Sickle Cell Advocate.