Discrimination…What Discrimination?
One of my oldest friend’s has recently been required to write a biography based on ‘discrimination’. She asked for people to come forward with their stories of being discriminated against and I was one of those that put my hand up to say I’d experienced assorted discrimination.
Definition of discrimination:
“the treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit”
I have always been in a man’s world – whilst studying for my degree I was the only female, I entered engineering, I became an MD and then CEO of a male dominated manufacturing business despite my own family members being very unhappy about this, I learnt to weld and polish metal, to electroplate – all very male oriented disciplines and I loved every minute. I did none of it by chance – I have always been driven and believed that I had every right to achieve.
In no way have I allowed myself to feel like a victim of discrimination and equally I have never attempted to behave like a man or be a bra burner! I have only ever viewed it as an opportunity to break from the stereotypical views others have and put my own stamp on things. If I ever had a barrier put in front of me, I would work harder to overcome it. People can’t deny your ability if you prove it to be real.
Granted, women often have to work harder to achieve the same as their male counterparts but you have a choice – to listen to discrimination and let it hold you back – or get on with it, be smart and successful. The only person that can ever truly hold you back is yourself – often through fear. To achieve you have to take risks and go against the flow but it’s always worth it in the end.
When I was pregnant with each of my 3 children I suffered from Symphasis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) and was wheelchair bound – and with it a new discrimination, people didn’t speak to me they spoke to whoever pushed the wheelchair. Certainly with my last child I never let it stop me – I still ran a company and went to work every day. I found humour to be the best way of coping with the situation… I actually quite enjoyed having an oversized toilet all to myself and got pretty good with my wheelchair skills! BUT, we hardly saw many of our friends and even some family during this time but that was down to their perceptions, fears and not having a clue what to say or do (so they chose to do nothing!). They couldn’t handle it - I had to and made the best of it. There’s nothing like experiencing things first hand to have an appreciation for other people’s circumstances and challenges!
I’ve never stopped to acknowledge discrimination really – I’m far too busy for that!
[Thank you to Sarah Oakes for being my wonderful friend and allowing me to help her on her journey to success]
Thank you too Dani. That also goes for being such a positive role model to others out there, just what we need with all the ‘plastic’ ones that are in the media every day (and night!).
xx