Case Studies

It has been estimated that 96% of people with chronic medical conditions live with an illness that is invisible, meaning there is a strong chance that someone you know or currently work with is a sufferer. Invisible illness can lead to misunderstanding as well as false perception and judgement.

Jamie Eydman, 25, has fibromyalgia, a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. She also suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and severe irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However she has not allowed any of her invisible illnesses to hold her back.

“It was during my first term at university when I first got ill,” she told us. “I could quite easily have given up and gone home - and quite a few of my lecturers told me to do just that - but I was determined to carry on. I went on to get a 2:1 BSc Environmental Science. I know that everyone is going to have some bumps along the way, and you have to just do your best to deal with what life throws at you and not allow it to stop you doing what you want to achieve. I’ve had many people say to me things like “you don’t look sick”, or “you don’t act like you’re ill”. I am ill but my conditions don’t control my life and do not define me.”

It was this kind of positive thinking that helped Jamie through her NEBOSH studies. A work placement during her degree course introduced her to a health and safety consultancy where she admits she ‘caught the bug’. So after graduating, she self-funded her NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, which she did through distance learning.

“It made sense for me to complete my NEBOSH through distance learning as it gave me the flexibility I needed. If I’d become severely ill before or during a course with fixed dates and times, I would not have been able to complete it. But part of having an invisible illness is learning how to manage the best you can. Assess the risks, I guess, and do what you can to control them!

“It’s about always being prepared for all of the symptoms when you’re out and about. It’s also doing relaxation and mindfulness exercises to keep on top of stress, which is one of the things that can make my conditions worse.”

Jamie is very open about her invisible illnesses and admits they’re not always that invisible in the role she now has as a Regional SHE Advisor for groundworker firm M.V. Kelly Ltd.

“Sometimes I turn up with crutches or I walk around the site with a hot water bottle for all to see, because my fibromyalgia pains can be agonizing. I’m happy to talk about my conditions and explain how they affect my life. I write a blog about how my conditions affect me as well as raising awareness for invisible illnesses. I feel it sits well within health and safety as after all my job role is as much about health as it is about safety!”

Jamie is now looking forward to a fulfilling career as a health and safety professional. She is exploring the NEBOSH Diploma as her next challenge. “I love the variety which health and safety has,” she said. “No two days are the same, and I also like how there’s a clear structure around risk management and all the regulations. Best of all it’s about discussing issues and influencing people to work safely, which is something I really enjoy.

“As for my illnesses, some days are good and some are bad, but what’s important is achieving your goals while also remembering to look after yourself and finding time to rest as well.”

A lesson for us all perhaps?