My liver disease didn't stop me...from helping others Twenty-three year old Maisie has chronic liver disease and portal hypertension. She is a big believer in using her own experience to help others, as she explains.
I was fortunate in that my liver condition didn’t affect me hugely growing up, apart from sometimes missing school to attend appointments. I’ve never had to spend long spells in hospital. After school I attended Sheppey College in Sheerness for four years where I did courses in ICT, business, and health and social care. The staff there were really supportive and encouraging. In fact, I still keep in touch with some of them who were particularly helpful to me. After college, I was put in touch with Kent Supported Employment who help people who have health issues get into work. I have a mentor called Kate who is brilliant and gives me advice on things like CV writing and applying for jobs. With her help, I got a job with Kent Community Health, which is part of the NHS. I was a part of a panel to help in recruitment of people with learning disabilities. I have mild learning disabilities myself so felt well placed to speak on this issue. I would look at documents and advise how they could be improved to make them more accessible. When that contract came to an end, I had to start looking again and I’m delighted to have got a new job. I’m still with Kent Community Health, this time as a facilities operative at Faversham Hospital. I’ll be helping to deliver meals, doing cleaning, in fact anything to assist the medical staff in the running of the hospital. I love meeting new people so I’m really looking forward to starting this job.
I first found out about CLDF when I met their young people’s officer at one of my hospital appointments and I thought it would be good to meet other young people who live with liver disease. I like joining in the Zoom calls and being in touch with people on Hive. This was particularly helpful during lockdown which I did find tough. I’m lucky that I didn’t have to shield but it was so boring. I filled my time by online learning. I did a business course run by the Prince’s Trust and a peer leader course to help support people with learning disabilities. I feel that at least now I have acquired extra skills which will be of use in my current and future roles. Health wise, I have been lucky. I go to Kings every six months for a check-up and I love the doctors there. I know that some young people worry about moving to adult services but really there is no need. Just remember that these people are doctors. There’s nothing you can say to them that they haven’t heard before so don’t worry about transition. Use your appointments to talk to the doctors and ask your questions.
My motto has always been keep going and keep smiling. Sometimes things don’t go exactly as you hoped but if you stay positive and keep trying you will get there!
by Maisie
21 Liverlife
