Kenyan Interns experience in UK Cheshire Service

For me, being the first person, from the region to participate in Cheshire International Internship Placements (CHIIPS) was an opportunity that I just could not pass up. It has given me the chance to obtain not only professional but a unique life experience. Initially, my expectations were to simply gain much needed experience in marketing, as the placement was a perfect match to my area of study. But I have come to learn so much more about disability, what it means, the difference between the world perspective and that of disabled people.
Building up to the start of the internship I was anxious of course as I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was worried about performing my role, adjusting to living on my own in a foreign country, fitting in to the team of people I would be working with and about a hundred other things. But the fears were quickly put to rest as people were very welcoming, everyone was nice, considerate and helpful to say the least. This helped me settle in quickly.
In terms of the placement itself, being office based, one would think it’s not that exciting. However I would beg to differ. For example, I am currently involved in drafting a press story that could be pitched to local media to help promote the service. To do this I have had to overcome my fears, and interview both a service user (client) and a support worker (employee). I have come to learn first hand that providing support to disabled people in their every day living activities can go a long way in helping them lead an independent life. I’ve also come to learn, through my research work, the great efforts that the government, media and various charities, led by Leonard Cheshire Disability, are making in promoting the inclusion of disabled people into the community.
Overall it has been and continues to be a pleasant experience, with many lessons learnt. One of the most important things I have come away with from this experience, and hope to carry with me throughout life, is that people are disabled not because they lack the ability to do something or because of a physical impairment but by the attitudes of the society around them. To quote Martina Navratilova “Disability is a matter of perception.” I hope in one way or another that I will help change negative perceptions, thereby transforming people’s lives in the process, just as Leonard Cheshire Disability is doing at present.