Nursing with a Disability: Lisa's Career Battles With Arthritis & Neurodiversity
Meet Lisa, a 35-year-old from South-West London. A community nurse, disability advocate, and absolute powerhouse navigating life with post-traumatic arthritis and neurodivergence.
Lisa’s journey is extraordinary. After surviving a traumatic accident as a teenager, she spent years as a patient herself. Now, as a nurse, she brings an incredibly unique and valuable perspective to healthcare - one rooted in lived experience, resilience, and deep compassion.
Her story is one of courage and purpose. From fighting for representation in healthcare to redefining what it means to live and have a career as a disabled person, Lisa is paving the way for others to feel seen, heard, and supported.
We are so lucky to have her insight within this community. She reminds us that disability does not limit strength, it reveals it.
💗 From Patient to Nurse
I’ve been living with post-traumatic arthritis in my ankle and severe osteoarthritis in my left leg for over 20 years. It started with an open fracture I sustained in a biking accident when I was 15, during a summer holiday in France. At the time, I didn’t understand how life-altering that injury would be, I thought I’d bounce back. But I didn't, and it changed everything. I've since come to notice qualities from a number of neurodiversities including dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia, so have been navigating life with both visible and invisible disabilities.
After my accident I was determined to turn a painful experience into purpose. The care I received in hospital wasn’t what it should’ve been, and I didn’t want anyone else to feel what I felt as a patient. This encouraged me to pursue a career in nursing, to become the change I wanted to see.
Studying adult nursing was physically and mentally exhausting. The 12 hour shifts on my feet, four days a week, were brutal. I didn’t speak up about my struggles, I thought if I asked for help, it would make me seem “less than.” I pushed through the pain, terrified of being labelled “disabled.” But eventually, everything caught up with me. I failed exams. I stepped off the course. I transferred universities and I failed again. At my lowest point, the pain, anxiety, and sense of failure became unbearable. I even considered ending my life. But I didn’t. Instead, I opened up to my tutor, my mum, my friends, and started rebuilding. I took a year out, retook assignments, and used every ounce of energy to finish my nursing degree. I had to prove to myself that I could do it. That I deserved to be in this profession.
These days, I take my mental health very seriously. After graduating I referred myself to Talking Therapies, I also like to attend church, listen to music, and on the good days - I LOVE to dance.
My biggest advice to others with chronic illness or disability would be pace yourself. Don’t let guilt override your boundaries and don’t let fear of stigma stop you from getting the help you deserve.
🩺 Working with a Chronic Condition
Being a nurse with post-traumatic arthritis isn’t easy. My job is physically demanding, and the pain, stiffness, and fatigue are unpredictable. I’ve had great support in places, from physiotherapy to pain management, but I’ve also faced a lot of gaps and had to advocate for myself constantly.
Because arthritis isn’t always visible, it’s hard to explain the impact. Working in the NHS can feel like walking a tightrope. I had to learn to ask for help, to advocate for adjustments, and to respect my limits. My patients are what keep me going. Being a patient myself has made me a more compassionate, empathetic nurse.
I would advise anyone else working with a chronic condition or disability to always be honest with themselves and others about their needs, and to make sure they know their rights. A service like Access to Work is a great source of support that can provide practical help, like specialist equipment and transport or workplace assessments.
It's about working with your body, not against it.
🩼 Tools I Use
I’ve used NHS crutches since my injury in 2005, but they were never comfortable. They were noisy, hard on my hands, and unstable on different terrain. I’d never used a walking stick as I didn’t hear great things, so I stuck with crutches. I found Cool Crutches in 2024 and everything changed! I knew I had to make the switch, not only because the designs were so stylish, but because all the videos, comments and reviews suggested they were comfortable and sturdy. With winter coming up, I didn't want to spend the next few months worried about falling and slipping because of my crutches so I bought my first pair of Gold Glitter crutches. They aren't just functional, they're me! I don’t feel embarrassed anymore. I feel empowered!
Now I've built such a trust with the Cool Crutches brand and the stability of their walking aids, I've just ordered myself my first ever walking stick! It was a tough choice between Purple Reign and Night Bloom, but Purple Reign won this time!
After years of worrying a stick wouldn't be enough for me because of horror stories I'd heard from people that used cheap or NHS options, I finally feel confident that I've found one that will be sturdy enough for me on the days I don't need the full support of crutches.
Alongside my walking aids, my car is absolutely essential. It gives me the freedom and independence to get to work and visit friends and family whenever I want. Living with a mobility-related condition means walking long distances isn’t an option, and using public transport can be incredibly stressful. Having a car truly is a lifeline – it’s what makes everyday life possible and keeps me connected to the world around me.
✅ A Nurse's Life Hacks for Disability
Living with both visible and invisible disabilities for the past 20 years, combined with my experience as a nurse, has taught me a few valuable tips that I hope will help others navigating life with a chronic condition or disability:
- Prep for the day. Lay out your clothes (and mobility aids) the night before, pack snacks, meds, and water, and make a realistic schedule that includes breaks. Remember your spoons, if you have a big weekend ahead, build in appropriate rest before and after. Think of it as your own “care plan.”
- Use heat and/or cold packs - they lifesavers! I keep one in the car and one at home. On busy days with lots of driving or walking, a 15-minute break with a heat wrap can make the difference between managing and crashing.
- If you aren't using portable stools or foldable perching chairs, you should be. It reduces strain on joints and saves precious energy. I used to feel guilty sitting, now I know it helps me stay on top form for longer.
- Ask for help before you need it. Friends, colleagues and family are often more understanding than we think. If you’re struggling, speak up early. Small changes now can prevent bigger problems later.
🎉 Exciting Milestones
This year I've been nominated as a rising star in black mental health in the Black Maternal Health Awards UK 2025 & MBCC Health and Wellbeing Champion awards. I was also nominated in the Vice-Chancellor Alumni Awards from the University of Hertfordshire for the work I do in raising awareness of melanin nurses with invisible and visible disabilities. To be recognised is an incredible milestone to me both personally and professionally.
This year I’ve also hosted You2CanNurse, the UK’s first event for melanin nurses with disabilities and neurodiversity. It was about creating a safe space for visibility, empowerment, and change, and I feel it was a huge success!
Thank you so much Lisa, for sharing your journey with such honesty and heart. Your voice is powerful, your purpose is clear - be the change you want to see. We’re honoured to have you as part of the Cool Crutches community Lisa 💛!
And thank you for taking the time to read such a powerful story about career opportunities for disabled communities. If you would like to keep reading some more blogs, check out:
