James' Story

James is a 20 year old Maths student who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, a physical disability acquired when he was born 11 weeks prematurely. James attended a specialist primary school and remembers being picked up by ‘the blue school bus’. As a child James aspired to be a gladiator - but, in his own words ’quickly realised that it probably wasn’t going to work out’. However, bravely disregarding advice from his professional support team, James moved to a mainstream secondary school better known for its academic track record than its disabled access.

‘It transpired as I was learning, that I had very few academic limitations’, explains James, ‘but that didn’t stop all the misconceptions that I was not suited to an academic route’. James recalls entering a debate and the comments from the host headmaster: “James, what a captivating speech. It’s delightful that, whilst suffering from a disability, you can speak with such confidence. You spoke very well, considering…”

The transition from school to university was difficult in every way: ‘ it was all the issues you had anticipated and all those you had not anticipated! When I had problems they were exacerbated because of my disability, it is all too easy to fall into a negative state of mind’. Echoing recent Government research, James notes that finding friends at university was not easy and that having a disability does not necessarily give one anything in common with other disabled people.

Exhibiting all round determination however, James is working very hard to ensure that in spite of his disability (and the recession), he will find employment when he graduates. ‘Sadly, my first understanding of the business world was my 6th Form careers advisors urging me to avoid mentioning my disability on my CV. One advisor even said, without a drop of irony, that my CV should “talk the talk” and at the interview I could then “walk the walk”.’

At the start of his second year James was searching his university Careers’ web site when he found a Shaw Trust bulletin promoting their partnership with Ernst & Young’s scheme whereby students with disabilities are encouraged to apply for summer internships.

‘My subsequent success in the recruitment process with Ernst & Young can be vastly attributed to Shaw Trust’s help, guidance and confidence building, for which I am very grateful.

Through the Shaw Trust I’ve been made aware that there are companies out there which are not only conscious of my issues, but are understanding in a realistic way.’

At the time of writing James was half way through his internship, ‘it has been fantastic and has allowed me to grow as a person. I’m working in Audit and within that for Capital Markets and Banking - it has been amazing and an eye opener!’ Even better news is that James had just been offered a two weeks’ extension to his internship at Ernst & Young; we take this as a very positive sign and hope that he wins a place on their coveted graduate scheme.

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