My Story

Contact: 07512 143313

Playing to Our Strengths…

According to recent research, 80% of people without a disability in Northern Ireland are in work, compared to 36% of people with a disability or disabilities (Ulster University’s Economic Policy Centre, 2022). I experienced a stroke either in the womb, during birth or within the first 18 months of life, affecting the strength of my left limbs.

Early life

My parents first noticed something was wrong when I was in my pram at around six or seven months old; my unusual sitting position raised concerns. Eventually, further investigation led to a diagnosis of left hemiplegia when I was about 18 months old. This condition resulted in delayed motor development, making it difficult for me to engage in typical childhood activities like doing handstands, skipping or riding a bike (a skill I still haven’t mastered!). However, I enjoyed playing other games with my friends.

School

Thanks to my family, rather than attend a special school, I secured a place in a primary school. Although I faced numerous surgeries and periods of rehabilitation that caused me to miss a significant amount of school, I persevered.

When I entered secondary school, I was placed in the lowest academic stream. Through hard work, I managed to move up a level (but still resided in a below average stream). However, I felt increasingly frustrated and disillusioned with education, ultimately drifting through school as I looked forward to the day I could leave.

Adult life

Throughout my adult life, I have encountered barriers in the job market, often facing rejections or being placed on reserve lists and so that statistic I mentioned earlier does not surprise me. After eventually securing my first position as a filing clerk and staying there for a few years, I decided to return to education, ultimately spending around seven years at university and eventually earning a PhD.

While I have gained valuable experience and secured some good contracts over the years, finding consistent employment has remained something of a challenge… However, I refuse to let a lack of employment opportunities limit my potential!

Dear employers…

My message to employers is that a lot of people with an impairment or disability want to work and are able to work. No-one doubts that Professor Stephen Hawking made a significant contribution to theoretical physics and yet he lived most of his life with a disability. Indeed, I suspect that because of his work, Stephen Hawking will be remembered long after any of us!

For me, disability has a context and employment is about understanding my limitations (jobs I cannot do) but playing to my strengths (there is a LOT I can do). For example, I wouldn’t be able to be a chef (thankfully, nor did I want to be) because I struggle to chop up food and so wouldn’t be suited to the pressures of a busy kitchen. Besides, I’m a terrible cook…However, I am suited to psychology because skills such as research, active listening, emotional intelligence, analytical thinking and the ability to build rapport with clients are far more critical than physical dexterity.

Hopes and dreams…

Everyone goes through life facing some kind of struggle and we all have hopes and dreams. My message to everyone is clear, ‘listen to your own inner voice and ignore the unnecessary noise of others. If you want to achieve something, you should at the very least try. Few people will remain with you throughout life but, sadly, regret hangs around. Don’t live with regret…’

I don’t want to live with regret and so I am playing to my strengths by setting up a social venture offering accessible and affordable coaching, mentoring, education, and training.

Social Venture

Mission Statement

To empower individuals to become more active in making the changes they want in order to get more from life. This will be achieved by providing a range of coaching and mentoring services at an accessible cost, while simultaneously creating a sustainable livelihood for myself.

What do I mean by creating a sustainable livelihood for myself?

To provide some context, the median annual earnings for full-time employees in NI were £34,400 in 2024 (Source: NISRA website – Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings). I don’t anticipate making that in the current (2025 / 26) tax year!

Cost

I understand that individuals face a variety of circumstances, including financial constraints, which can affect their access to services like mine. To ensure that my coaching and mentoring services are affordable and accessible to a broader range of individuals, the following fee structure will apply:

One-to-one coaching and mentoring sessions (at my office): £25 for each 50-minute session, with a maximum of 12 sessions permitted within any 6-month period. Additional fees will apply for any work-related travel.

Online coaching and mentoring sessions will be chargeable at £25 per session.

I will keep this fee structure under review and provide updates as necessary.

Why not have a look at my coaching, mentoring, education and training services and read my testimonials?

Return to home page or go to services,  coaching and mentoring, Dawn Money Mentor NI, testimonials or please feel free to contact me to schedule a session.

Accessible Coaching, Mentoring, Education and Training in Belfast