Yazzie Talks MS and working in TV

I just want to raise awareness about invisible disabilities as so many people don’t believe you because you don’t look sick.

People in TV can be scared to speak up

I always disclose my MS when I get a new contract. But I don’t think they understand the condition and so don’t want the liability or responsibility.

I work in TV which is so cut throat. People are desperate to work in the industry which makes them scared to speak up.

My disability might not be obvious, but I need breaks or I might need a rest. I can’t work the 15 hour shifts often expected of you on location or in a studio.

It took me months to realise I’d been discriminated against

During one of my previous contracts I was definitely discriminated against because of my MS, but it took me months to realise it.

I remember sitting with my husband one night and saying ‘I don’t think they should have done that’ – it was like the penny had dropped. It’s made me think that I won’t always be able to work in this industry.

Read about MS and your rights at work

It’s not what people say it’s how they treat you

It’s never about saying anything to my face, it’s how I’m treated after I’ve told them I have MS. They pretend they know what it is and reassure me not to ‘worry’ and that it’s not an ‘issue’, but it is – and this is shown by the lack of support I’m given.

Everyone should be given an opportunity to talk about their condition. I didn’t know who to speak to as they didn’t make it apparent. I didn’t know if anyone would understand.

Disability prejudice in TV is a real mixed bag

I think the prejudice about hidden disabilities was definitely there pre-pandemic, but maybe not so obvious. Last year, despite signing a health declaration, I was told I wasn’t able to go into a TV studio.

They just didn’t want to go out of their way to make it possible for me. When that particular contract finished I thought I was going to call it a day. But the next team couldn’t have been more understanding and good about my MS.

Starting a conversation on Instagram

I set up Yazzie Talks on Instagram to raise awareness as I had no idea what MS was when I was diagnosed. Every day people contact me through my Instagram page. I have to set aside a day a week to deal with message requests!

Some people say ‘help! I’ve just been diagnosed’, or ‘what treatment are you on - can you help me?’

I always say ‘firstly don’t panic this is not a death sentence – it’s not as scary as it first seems’. I also say I’m not a doctor and that my MS might be different.

Building relationships and speaking out

I started the page just before the first lockdown (March 2020) and I really didn’t expect it to get that much attention, or to build relationships with people I’ve never met.

It’s not just people living with MS that follow me – there’s people with Crohn’s, colitis, fibromyalgia… The page has made it easier for to be even more open about my MS.

Well meaning, but not helpful

Some people mean well and try to help me by suggesting things I can do like ‘have you tried yoga?’ but they just don’t understand.

I sometimes get asked ‘how many more infusions do you have left?’ – they don’t realise it’s something I’ll have to have forever.

Sky diving to stop MS

My treatment has been working so well I've now passed 3 years with no new lesions! So my husband Apollo and I would like to raise money to help find new treatments that work for everyone with MS.

Any donation is welcomed and appreciated! If not just sharing our page would be amazing!

Find Yazzy's sky dive page on JustGiving