A Chronic Entrepreneur: Ainslee Hooper
Ainslee Hooper is committed to making the lives of disabled people easier, by consulting with providers of services to make the experiences of consumers with disability free of stigma and ableism. After suffering a nervous breakdown due to bullying at work, Ainslee realised that she needed to start doing things her way - and starting her own business allowed her to achieve so much more for herself and her clients than she felt she was able to achieve at a traditional job. Ainslee is now a consultant anthropologist specialising in disability inclusion with her business Ainslee Hooper Consulting. Read on to learn more about Ainslee’s inspiring story.
What is your diagnosis story? How old were you?
I was born with a congenital abnormality of the spine called Spina Bifida. As a result of my condition, I have Hydrocephalus which required a shunt at 3 weeks of age to divert fluid away from my brain, congenital osteoporosis (which was not revealed to me until I was 35) and have chronic bladder/kidney infections as a result of a Neurogenic bladder.
I was also diagnosed with a chronic anxiety disorder at the age of 39, which my psychologist advised me is a result of being born with a disability and the related health issues. It would have been handy to have known about all of this from a young age so I could have learned better coping mechanisms.
How did the path of entrepreneurship come to you?
After a nervous breakdown due to bullying at work, I quit my job and decided I could no longer work for anyone else again. I had a degree and knew I wanted to make the experiences of people with disabilities as consumers of services better, free of stigma and ableism.
Did you go through any sort of 12-stages of grief with the diagnosis or take it in its stride? In other words, how did the grief process manifest itself – did you immediately reassess your life or was it more gradual?
Finding out I had osteoporosis at 35 was definitely a grieving process. If I had been told prior, I would have been able to implement strategies to reduce the impact. Although truthfully, the specialist who told me, said there was nothing they could do. It was another doctor I happened to have a conversation with who told me that was rubbish and put me on treatment.
The ableism I've experienced in the medical field all my life makes me extremely angry. There have been other medical issues I cannot talk about due to the emotional toll.
What have you learnt about yourself through your entrepreneurship journey? How have you changed, if at all in your relationships, decisions, what you value/your life philosophy?
As an employee, it was hammered into me what the perfect employee was like, performance and absentee wise. I was an outlier because of this.
Working for myself, I am more productive and achieve so much for myself and clients. I realise working my business around me is the best for everyone.
What does a typical day in business look like for you? How does your chronic illness influence what your typical day looks like? Is your day-to-day routine pretty consistent or does it change?
My condition means I have a lot of appointments and tests. I juggle consulting and speaking engagements around them.
I will have days where I'm mentally exhausted from it all. On those days, I will just do what I can do.
What would you say to your ‘first-diagnosed’ self, or someone else who has just been diagnosed with a chronic illness?
Don't settle. If there's something you're not satisfied with, keep fighting until you find the right doctor. They are there, and it can be exhausting and you will want to give up, but don't. With the right medical support around you, you can stop worrying about your body and start focusing on you and your life.
What is a ‘bad day’ for you? How do you look after yourself on a ‘bad day’ or a day that is particularly stressful?
A bad day is feeling exhausted.
Are you on any treatments? What modalities are in your wellness team?
I'm on an osteoporosis treatment, medication for my bladder and anxiety
Who are your ultimate dinner party guests, (dead or alive), and who would you seat on either side of you?
Noam Chomsky would be right beside me. Frida Kahlo on the other side and Robin Williams.
What are you looking forward to in the next 6 months-1 year?
Seeing my business grow further, seeing my family more as restrictions lift, and getting stuck into my PhD research.
Best & worst bits of being A Chronic Entrepreneur?
Doing things my way and it works for my clients is the best bit. The worst is when I am sick, there is no income as it all relies on me.
What has been your most memorable moment in business from the last 2-3 years? (either related or unrelated to your chronic)
Doing my first live speaking engagement recently due to the limitations of COVID19
Where can people find you online?
https://ainsleehooper.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/ainsleehooperconsulting/
https://www.facebook.com/AinsleeHooperConsulting
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ainsleehooper/
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