Doing things differently: Laurent's Story

At Action for Children, we're proud to champion the incredible power of diversity within our staff teams. It is important to recognise that some colleagues will have visible and non-visible disabilities.

These often have an impact on how they prefer to carry out their roles. Not everyone in an organisation works the same way, so raising awareness is vital to help more people feel seen and heard.

We would like to introduce you to Laurent, who works for us as a Therapist in Bangor with children and young people. He also lives with Fibromyalgia.

Laurent supports children who may have experienced trauma, loss, neglect, or instability. He helps them find ways to express themselves, build resilience, and feel more secure in who they are.

What is your experience with your disability?

"Fibromyalgia is a long-term, non-visible condition. It causes chronic pain throughout my body, especially the joints areas. Sometimes it’s a dull ache, other times it’s sharp or burning. It’s unpredictable and can flare up without warning."

"Alongside the pain, there’s also a deep fatigue that doesn’t go away with rest. It’s not something you can see from the outside, but it’s something I carry with me every day. It affects how I move, how I plan my time, and how I care for myself, especially while doing emotionally demanding work."

How does it affect your day-to-day life?

"I have to think carefully about how I use my energy. Sitting for long periods can be painful, and even walking between sessions or travelling to different sites can be exhausting."

"The emotional side of my work is just as demanding. Being fully present with a child who’s in distress, holding space for their pain, and helping them feel safe takes a lot of focus and care."

"I’ve learned to pace myself, to listen to my body, and to build in moments of recovery throughout the day."

Do you do anything differently because of your disability?

"Professionally, I’ve had to adapt my schedule and working style to manage chronic pain and fatigue. I try my best to space out my sessions to avoid back-to-back appointments. This helps me stay emotionally present and physically comfortable."

"I use adaptative tools for my IT at home and digital tools for notetaking and planning. They help reduce the physical and mental load, especially during flare-ups."

"Outside of work, my exercise routine now focuses on low-impact activities like swimming and walking. These help me stay active without triggering flare-ups. They’ve become an important part of how I manage my condition."

What is the most helpful thing colleagues can do to support you?

"The most helpful thing is empathy and flexibility. Chronic pain doesn’t follow a schedule, it can change from one day to the next. Having colleagues and leaders who are open to adjusting plans, who check in with kindness, and who trust that I’m doing my best really means a lot."

Lastly, what advice would you give your younger self?

"I’d tell my younger self: You don’t have to push through everything. You’re allowed to rest. You’re allowed to ask for help. And you’re still doing enough even when you’re not doing everything."

We are so grateful to Laurent for sharing his powerful story and for being such an inspiring advocate!

Find out more about working for us by visiting: https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/about-us/jobs/