Glenda O’Brien
Like many women working in health and care, I never set out to do anything extraordinary. I simply wanted to help people. For more than thirty years I worked as a nurse. Nursing is not just a job; it becomes part of who you are. Every shift brought new challenges and new people whose lives had suddenly become uncertain through illness or injury. I always believed that the most important part of nursing was treating people with dignity. Good healthcare is not only about treatment and medicine; it is also about listening, explaining things clearly and showing compassion.
During those years I cared for many patients and supported their families at difficult moments. Nursing can be demanding both physically and emotionally, but it is also deeply rewarding. You see first hand how much a small act of kindness or reassurance can mean when someone is frightened or vulnerable. Like many nurses, I rarely thought about my own health while caring for others. But life has a way of changing direction. In later years my health changed dramatically. I suffered strokes and developed a number of long term conditions which left me living as a disabled person. I now deal with chronic pain, balance problems and mobility difficulties. Experiencing serious illness from the patient’s side of the system is something that gives you a completely different perspective.
When you become disabled yourself, you begin to see the world differently. Everyday things that many people take for granted can suddenly become barriers. Buildings that are not accessible, systems that do not consider disabled people properly and attitudes that underestimate what people with disabilities can still contribute all become very real issues. At first this change in my life was difficult to accept. However, over time I realised that the values that guided me as a nurse had not disappeared. Compassion, fairness and standing up for people who are struggling are still the same principles that guide me today. Because of my own experiences I have become more involved in advocacy and speaking up for disabled people. I believe strongly that accessibility and equality should be part of everyday life, not an afterthought. Disabled people deserve to be able to participate fully in society with dignity and respect. In many ways this advocacy is simply another form of caring. It is about making sure people are heard and ensuring that systems and services treat everyone fairly.
International Women’s Day is a chance to recognise women from all walks of life who quietly make a difference in their communities. Many of them will never appear in headlines, yet their work and dedication improve the lives of others every day. My journey from nurse to disabled person and advocate has taught me that circumstances may change, but the values of compassion, fairness and solidarity remain constant. Those values continue to guide my life and the way I try to support others.