Chris's Olympic comeback

Chris Lomas had a successful career in the computer industry before a brain haemorrhage led to his being unable to work for over eight years. Now back in employment, he’s involved in a London Olympics construction project

I work in the commercial department for Atkins, a contractor working on the 2012 Olympics, where my official job title is “Graduate Project Support Officer”.

My role is acting as a commercial link between Atkins and the Olympic Delivery Authority’s
delivery partner. I tie the loose ends together.

I was a project manager within the computer industry before 2000, when I had a brain haemorrhage that basically did in my left side. After that, I was left in a bit of a quandary as to what to do with my career.

I’d always fancied going to university. I’d left school with O-Levels but didn’t get any A-Levels so I needed to do an “Access to University” course, which took a year. Then I did an environmental science degree, so four of the years I was out of work were in education and the other time was really rehab and physiotherapy, so it wasn’t eight years of sitting around on the sofa.

At university we had quite a good careers department which set up a day of meetings with various groups such as Scope and RNIB, for all the disabled students, to try and help us get into work. Scope’s leadership recruitment scheme seemed a good option for me, so I applied for that and got into their pool of potential candidates. Luckily the Olympic Delivery Authority was promoting diversity at the time and got in touch with Atkins and things went from there.

I’ve now been employed by Atkins since the start of the year and been provided with specialised office equipment that helps me write longer documents. My telephone has been adapted and I’ve got two screens attached to my PC enabling me to use it more effectively.

It’s nice to know that my kids are excited and proud about me working on the Olympics. My parents are definitely proud that I’ve been able to move 200 miles away from them and look after myself. The main thing it’s given me is self-confidence, moving from one support network and setting up a new one in a new city miles away from everywhere.

Motivation has never been a problem with me, though. I always wanted to get back into work and have a career. Everyone’s entitled to that, aren't they?

CHRIS LOMAS: CAREER PATH

• 1982: Left school in Cheshire
• 1982 to 2000: Various roles in IT industry
• 2000: (Assistant) Project Manager
• 2000: Cerebral vascular accident
• 2005: “Access to University” Course at North Trafford College
• 2008: Environmental Science degree at Manchester Metropolitan University
• 2009: Joined Atkins