Krysalis Christmas 2022: Britain’s Got Neuro Talent! – Disability Consultant, John McDonald
John McDonald can call on 20-plus years of healthcare sector work experience, including his last pre-injury role as business development manager for a nursing agency.
And we are delighted now to welcome the founder of Eagles Wings Consultancy as the second super-skilled star in our 2022 Britain's Got Neuro Talent (BGNT) campaign supporting neurodiversity in the UK's workplaces.
John's eyes were widened to disability employment challenges after a cancer diagnosis and brain injury in 2016. So he set out to find solutions by becoming a disability specialist, as he reveals now in our BGNT Q&A…
I want the workplace to understand that, yes, I have a brain injury; however, with the proper support, I am still a valuable member of the workforce. 
John McDonald, Eagles Wings Consultancy
What type of work did you do before your injury?
After leaving education, I joined the Merchant Navy, then went into the healthcare sector in specialist areas, including neurosurgery.
Before my surgery, I worked as a Business Development Manager for a nursing agency.
What is your injury?
Hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain), but I have been left with deficits due to procedures during and after my surgery.
Was work discussed as part of your early rehabilitation journey?
I was responsible for my own rehabilitation. Three years post-injury, I self-referred myself to Momentum Skills [*ceased 2020] and took part in their employment programme.
What work do you do now?
I am a self-employed disability specialist. I help companies and organisations to be disability aware, confident, and compliant and to create a diverse workforce.
What is good about working?
Working helps give me a sense of purpose and an opportunity to contribute to society. Working shows that even with a brain injury, I can still achieve a lot.
Why does the work you do matter?
My work matters as it helps other people with disabilities - especially hidden disabilities and neurological conditions - have a better opportunity to enter the employment sector.
It also encourages those affected by brain injury to overcome barriers by being open about brain injury.
What does your work mean to you?
My work means a lot to me as I can educate and help others overcome their barriers. Being a person that is there for others is so rewarding and makes my work more valuable.
Through my work, I use my experience to help and support others with brain injuries and those affected by brain injury.
Disclosure: finding the courage
Talking to others about our needs can be challenging. Do you have any suggestions that might help?
The process does not need to be difficult for employers who want to create the right space to talk to employees.
One way this can be done is by having a disability champion within the workplace as a go-to for staff.
Another way would be having a process that helps make a person feel comfortable disclosing their disability.
A possible way of achieving this is having informal talks on neurological conditions.
Shared understanding: building knowledge
Neurological conditions are hard to understand. What would you like the workplace to know about your own experiences? What has helped and what has not?
From my own experience, I would like the workplace to understand that, yes, I have a brain injury; however, with the right support, I am still a valuable member of the workforce.
The adaptations I require don't cost much (mainly memory aids and time to help with my fatigue).
I have a lot of skills to offer, but I think the term 'adaptations' puts a lot of perspective employers off as they often think that means 'cost'.
What has helped me is being open about my brain injury and being open with employers about coping strategies so they can see how I operate.
Working together: collaboration
There has been a shift towards workplace inclusion for people living with additional needs. What are your thoughts on this? Is enough happening? Could we do more – if so, what?
I think there is a good move towards a more inclusive workplace, but continued education on effectively supporting people with additional needs is still needed.
People with hidden conditions have often masked their condition, and the masking has become second nature. Being open, so people are comfortable about coming forward regarding their support needs is also part of the process.
It can be difficult for employers, and I don't expect them always to get it right.
It would be good if employers felt comfortable enough to say they don't know about certain areas and ask for help - especially in more specialised areas such as neurological conditions.
Hope: being open to the possibilities
What would you say to others living with a neurological condition who are struggling at work or who would like to work?
Be honest with your prospective employer about your condition and let them know how it affects you and how you cope with those effects.
Be honest with yourself about what your ability is, and don't be too hard on yourself.
Working can be difficult at times, and maintaining work with a neurological condition is a major achievement in its own right.
What would be your key message to the workplace and employers around supporting people with neurological conditions?
Supporting people with neurological conditions is an ongoing process.
It needs to be backed up by policies and procedures that are living and active with the person, providing a framework of support that enables them to continue to contribute to the workforce.
I started Eagles Wings Consultancy to […] improve communication between companies and organisations and those who have neurological conditions, invisible conditions or disabilities.
Read more about John's inspiring neurorehabilitation journey and disability consultancy services at his website: Disability Specialist – Eagles Wings Consultancy.
Britain’s Got Neuro Talent!
Meet the neuro stars!
More BGNT showstoppers…
Discover more about 'highly desirable' neuro talent and some of the latest facts and figures around disability employment and workplace accessibility issues in our BGNT launch report: Britain's Got Neuro Talent! (krysalisconsultancy.co.uk)
And join us back here soon when we welcome another of the leading lights in our 2022 Britain's Got Neuro Talent line-up...
- David Wozny - Brain Injury - I Needed To Be Needed
- John McDonald - Eagles Wings Consultancy
- Anne Ricketts - Who we are - Global Brain Injury Awareness (globalbia.org)
- Tim Richens - Tim Richens | Regain the brain
You can follow all our 12-day Krysalis Christmas 2022 BGNT postings here or via our social media channels up to Christmas Day!
