What it’s really like to be disabled whilst at uni

It's something we might have all briefly thought about, probably during a boring lecture or when you're half way through your essay and your mind starts to wonder. What is it actually like to be a disabled student?

When we first met Matthew Hamilton, 20, from Essex, we were greeted by a friendly and approachable person. It was only at the handshake that we noticed something unusual.

Tell us a little bit about your disability.

I have Erb’s Palsy, which is a preventable birth injury. I got stuck, the doctors yanked me out and tore a lot of nerves. The disability is permanent and does not deteriorate. It was never really a challenge for me, as I learned to accept it and move on.

I am grateful for the little bit of versatility that I have left. It doesn't prevent me from doing mundane tasks. For example, I can tie my own shoelaces but since I’m doing it with one hand, I just need a little more time for it.

How did the disability impact your social life?

In school, my classmates gave me a hard time. They made me feel that I couldn't do normal things and I was never going to fit in. I felt useless, like I was something else rather than a person.

Some nights I cried in a pillow and never talked to anyone. The constant bottling up of feelings and loneliness made me depressed.

What was the turning point in your life?

I started watching the Paralympics and believed that I could find myself through participating in disability sports. Succeeding in sports made me believe in myself again. My family and friends supported and pushed me to run for Great Britain's team.

Matthew during his debut run for Team Great Britain.

So, why did you come to Sheffield?

My training for elite sports was one of the reasons that brought me to Sheffield. My coach whom I've known for a long time lives here as well.

The interesting course on both sociology and sports offered by Sheffield Hallam was another reason. I just wanted to get away from home but I didn’t think it was this far. I was young and naive.

Does Sheffield Hallam live up to their promise of supporting students with a disability?

My university has been very supportive of my disability. There are many things that they have promised and they never fail to live up to it.

I can use a computer, I have a mentor and there is extra time for exams or assessments so I don't struggle to keep up.

How would you describe your life at University so far?

During my time at University, I have met friends that have supported me through my ups and downs.

Matthew with his close friends

However, a tragedy struck my family when I was in my first year. My father passed away unexpectedly after a fatal motorbike accident. This was the life changing event that opened up my eyes.

It made me realise that being in elite sport restricted me a lot. I was not going home as often as I could and did not have time for myself.

In order to avoid new episodes of depression, I recently decided to pursue a more amateur style of competitive sports in the future. It’s ironic. Sports helped me find myself but I also don’t want it to trigger my depression again.

My decision to quit was a massive relief because it made me a free person. I was not going to be held down by rules and regulations.

What are your future plans after University?

I am up for anything! However, I would like to be a life coach in the future. I want to help others find themselves the way I have found myself.

Do you have any final advice for students with a disability?

Learn your own limits and don’t be afraid when you find them. You have to learn to work with or around them. Never be afraid to ask for help.