Researching her future

Rebekah Craig has faced discriminatory attitudes in her battle to become a psychologist

In 2001, at the age of 22, I left university with a degree in psychology. I decided that I wanted to go further in this field and so began the long journey working in research and taking assistant psychology jobs while applying to get onto a clinical training course.

Following a brain haemorrhage when I was eight, I have a weak right side, partial eyesight and epilepsy. There have always been challenges regarding my disability, not least the awkward silences when I explain my situation in job interviews.

The first time I applied, I secured two interviews. In one of them I discovered how some in my chosen profession viewed disability. A standard 15-minute interview turned into 45 minutes with gruelling questions about how I saw myself and my ability to cope with everyday life.

Other people’s belief that my disability must hinder me more than I acknowledge is a recurring theme in my life. Having grown up in a supportive environment, I never really saw my disability as a barrier. Rather, I have long accepted that certain aspects of life will be more challenging.

One area I have struggled with is transport: not being able to drive makes visiting patients in the community particularly difficult. Although I have had to become very familiar with all sorts of bus and tube routes, public transport is not the easiest, especially in rush-hour! Despite these issues, I am still thoroughly enjoying my training.

My job is very varied. Three days a week I am on placement, which changes every six months: currently I am at Great Ormond Street Hospital. The other two days are spent either at college or conducting research. I have to spend an awful lot of time on my thesis for my PhD. While the practical aspect of my job allows me to help others to help themselves by providing therapy, the academic side provides many interesting challenges. I enjoy conducting research, from carrying out interviews to analysing data, although working to strict deadlines can become a bit stressful.

I find writing up research more challenging and time consuming, but it is very satisfying once it is done.

Currently, I am conducting a study of dementia in people with learning disabilities. I have been accepted to present the results of this study at the World Congress for the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities Conference in South Africa. Although very nervous, I see it as an opportunity to prove that my disability will not prevent me from advancing in my profession.

REBEKAH CRAIG: CAREER PATH

• 1998 – Left school in Purley, Surrey, with four A-levels
• 2001 – Graduated from University of Greenwich with 2:1 in psychology
• 2005 – Accepted on the doctorate in clinical psychology course at University College London