Growing up with a brother with severe learning disabilities inspired Jody Buxton’s 23-year-career in learning disability services. This Learning Disability Week she is sharing her story to inspire others.
Steven
Jody was six years old when her brother Steven was born. “I have vague memories of being told that we had a baby brother, but this brother was unlike any other younger brothers. This baby brother was special. We were told we must always look out for him and love and cherish him,” she recalls.
Steven was born with a bilateral cleft lip and pallet. However, his learning disability only became apparent later when he didn’t reach important early milestones, such as crawling, talking and walking.
Although to her Steven was her brother and someone she loves dearly, Jody remembers how it felt to grow up with a brother that was different. She vividly remembers the way that others would behave and react.
She explains: “Although Steven had surgery to rectify his cleft lip, he looked different. To us he looked beautiful but walking down the street people would shout names or whisper as they went past.
“The local children would come to play football in our garden, but Steven was never invited out to play with them. He would be left to watch from the window.
“As the children grew up the negativity towards Steven increased. He had no idea; he was totally unaware, but it created a fire in my belly. I felt so angry that children could behave this way and be so cruel and unkind.”
Making a difference
Her experiences lead Jody to know from a very young age that she wanted to make a difference for people with learning disabilities.
She recalls: “There was never a moment in my life that I wanted to do anything else. I would help on the school bus, escorting pupils to the special needs school. I attended family nights and I made sure all my work experience placements were at the special needs school.
“I wanted to be the voice to advocate for the members of society that couldn’t advocate for themselves. I wanted to stop the stigma and the abuse of people with a learning disability, and I wanted to fight against inequalities in health and social care services.”
A career in learning disability nursing
When Jody was 18, she became a student nurse and worked as a bank health care assistant along the way, building up her experiences in many different services.
At 21 she secured a job as a learning disability nurse in forensic services at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. 23-years on she’s still working in the same service.
Jody explained: “I didn’t initially intend to stay in forensic learning disability services for all my career. I thought I would move on to other roles within learning disability services. However, I love my job and I continue to grow, learn, and develop in it, even after all these years.”
Working within forensic learning disability services has had a profound effect on Jody.
She said: “It is a privilege to support people who have experienced so many inequalities, and so much trauma and abuse. These experiences would have a huge impact on anyone, but for someone with a learning disability the effect on their lives is unmeasurable.
“These experiences have led some people to come into contact with the criminal justice system and subsequently into secure care. They don’t always have someone to show them love, kindness or support. They don’t always have people to advocate for them and to support them to overcome judgement and inequalities.
“My brother is happy; he is loving and he has achieved great things. He even won a gold medal in the Portsmouth Special Olympics. Steven overcomes any obstacle put in his way, but only because of the love and support of people around him.”
Proud to be a learning disability nurse
Jody is proud to be a role model for learning disability nursing and to advocate to influence change and improve misconceptions.
She said: “Being a learning disability nurse is who I am. It is my identity and my vocation. I have an opportunity to make necessary hospital stays the best they can be and to a standard of care I would be happy for my brother to receive.
“I would urge anyone pursuing a career in nursing to consider learning disability nursing. It is the most rewarding career and the people you work with are truly special.
“My life has been so much brighter for having Steven in it. He has inspired me to be who I am today. He is the light of our lives and the greatest person I have ever met. For that I will always be truly blessed and grateful.”
If you would like to find out more about a career in learning disability nursing visit the NHS Health Careers website.
