This article is more than 1 year old
Work Forwards: Harry's career story
Harry studied film production at college and focused on getting as much work as he could in the sector once his course had finished. He now runs a film production company called Room 18 films. The company produces short narrative films in which he often acts, writes or directs himself. He is also employed as a store manager at Specsavers. "I enjoy working with people, whether that be on set or helping them at the opticians. I’m a people person and love meeting different characters," says Harry.
Healthwise, things haven’t always been easy for Harry, but he credits Kaftrio as being important in helping him to carry on his career: “Being honest, eventually getting Kaftrio was quite literally a life saver for me. It improved my health massively, which felt like getting my dignity back," Harry told us.
"I could do the things my friends could do without trying to hide how out of my breath I may be, I could commit to things without worrying if I would be in hospital or not and obviously as I got older, most importantly, I could start thinking about work and how I would prepare for my future even though I felt frighteningly behind compared to everyone else."
Harry says he used to be quite private about his CF, and he wouldn’t always want to tell employers in case they judged him, or they didn’t hire him if he managed to get to the interview stages of a job application. "But I soon realised i shouldn’t act ashamed or embarrassed by my condition and in fact addressing face to face made me build a better more healthy relationship with my CF and in turn, how I viewed myself," Harry says.
Harry also shares his wisdom on the resilience that many people with CF have had to develop, and how he feels that resilience can help an employer: "It’s our experiences that make us unique and individuals, I think any workplace longs for a strong individual and I know people with CF have a strong enough character to stand out from the crowd.”
Work Forwards is our programme of free tailored careers information, advice, and guidance for people with CF and their loved ones.
This programme is supported by the National Lottery Community Fund.
Fancy sharing your own job or career story? Whether you have CF yourself or care for someone who has CF, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch at [email protected].
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