Amplifying Success Through Inclusive Accommodations

I vividly remember waking up in the hospital, surrounded by tubes, machines, and my family. My whole family – all of them there with me. Let that sink in for a moment.

After the initial flood of overwhelming emotion, my first conscious thought, despite the struggle, was to ask, “Do work know I won’t be in today?” Then, someone – whether it was my mum, my uncle, or cousin – gently said, “Rich, it’s June.”

Six weeks. I had been in a coma for six weeks.

I had suffered serious injuries: a broken jaw, perforated eardrums, and severe brain bleed trauma. In that state, everything felt impossible. There’s something deeply humbling about being a 31-year-old man, proud and independent, now lying in a hospital bed, physically helpless and unable to speak or even drink water because of a tracheotomy.

That was rock bottom for me. But looking back now, I realise it was also the beginning of my second life – a life that taught me more about strength, vulnerability, and resilience than I could have ever understood before.

I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without the unwavering support of my family and friends. Although we weren’t the closest family, they showed up every day. And my friends – some of whom I hadn’t seen since school – came to visit me every day I was conscious.

During that time, I made a decision, one that I carry with me every day: I am alive, and I have the opportunity to become the person who is worthy of the support I’ve received. That shift in mindset, that focus on positivity, transformed my life in ways I could never have imagined.

I had to dig deep and learn what I could truly influence through discipline and consistent effort. There were things I simply couldn’t change: the effects of brain damage, which brought daily challenges with coordination, memory, concentration, and emotions. I couldn’t pretend that I wasn’t diagnosed with post-traumatic epilepsy as a result of the injury – and the medication I take causes severe fatigue. I couldn’t undo the permanent hearing loss or change the fact that my tracheotomy had narrowed my windpipe by 20mm.

So, every day, every word I spoke, and every movement I made required immense effort and careful thought – just to breathe, just to make sure I had enough oxygen to keep going. But through that struggle, I learned the power of focus and perseverance. Even in the face of things beyond my control, I found there was always something within me that I could shape.

Living a healthy life now requires certain accommodations and adjustments, and these have become an essential part of my routine. These aren’t choices – they’re necessary steps to help me function every day. A balanced, nutritious diet helps me maximise my cognitive abilities. Resistance training helps maintain my dexterity. I’ve even convinced my wife that a few hours on the PlayStation is “medicinal” – it’s all part of my recovery!

I wear hearing aids to help connect externally, and use AI-driven notes on my iPad to make my handwriting legible. Sleep – and more sleep – is essential to keeping me balanced. A few years ago, I underwent a full tracheal resection. It was intense, and honestly, having my chin stitched to my chest for two weeks wasn’t exactly fun. But the outcome was life-changing: I can breathe again!

Life is like an old phone battery that only operates at 75% capacity despite needing 100% of its power – every day takes full focus and effort. When I feel fine, there are still humbling moments that remind me of my situation. Like when I rip a shirt just by putting it on, or fall for no apparent reason when putting on my shoes. Or especially when I find myself repeating myself or struggling to find the right word mid-sentence.

But with the support of workplace accommodations, I’m able to conserve enough energy to be present for my family and maintain a successful career. As an employee, 英国电信集团 has played a huge role in helping me manage this in the workplace – they allow me the time I need to process information before making decisions. They understand that sometimes, I need to work from home. Even small things I never would have thought would help, like avoiding cognitively demanding meetings late in the day or having captions on Teams calls, make a big difference.

These small adjustments – they aren’t just about helping me survive; they’re about allowing me to be present as a dad, a productive employee, and an empowering manager. Working for BT has given me the opportunity to do more than just get by. It’s given me the chance to truly thrive.