How to be a social worker with a disability
Hello everyone! I posting today as I'm feeling a lot of difficult emotions. I'm almost 1 year into my social work career in a specialist disabilities service. The team is really small and I'm on my third manager since starting. I had worked in social care for 9 years before being a NQSW.
I also have disabilities. I have fibromyalgia (w/ IBS), migraines, IIH, and mental health. I am not a well person but I work really hard. Sometimes I lack confidence, but I'm good at my work. I'm struggling to have a work-life balance that is sustainable. Its hard to know what you need until something doesn't work. I hoped compressed hours would help, but the lack of flexibility in my days is causing me grief. All my health conditions flared since starting the role. I'm asking for reduced hours.
I don't know other people who have disabilities who are social workers. I feel like lots of social workers have difficulties, maybe they have undiagnosed conditions, but I havent found anyone that relates to my situation with chronic long-term conditions. I am open about it, although I try not to overshare. Today has been tough and I've had days like this - feels like burnout, but worried that it makes me a bad social worker or not fit for the job.
I wonder if anyone had personal success stories in their social work journey that they could share. Or just stories. It would be nice to relate to someone about this as it is quite isolating.
Hope everyone is well today ❤️🩹