Planning My Future
School, college, vocational studies or work are all part of life. As you get older you will start to have a bigger plan about what you would like to do and how you would like to do it, but don’t worry if you aren’t there yet – some young people know quite early on what they would like to do, for others it can take longer. You should be given opportunities at school or college to learn about possible future pathways; ask a trusted adult if you would like support with planning your future.
As You get older you will become more aware of how BBS affects you and the support that you need. Changing schools, starting college and other life changes will introduce new people into your life, and there may be times when you want to tell people about your condition or disability which can sometimes be difficult to do. Not telling anyone can sometimes make you feel that you’re keeping a big secret. This may cause you stress or worry about being discovered. At times it can also make you feel that you are alone and no one understands.
Talking about BBS can be positive, as it may lead to:
- A sense of relief that it’s no longer a secret
- Increased support from those around you
- Improved understanding from friends, teachers and others
- People understand more and can help out in difficult situations
Learning to speak up and explain my difficulties to teachers wasn’t easy at first but it really helped them to understand.
Remember, you don’t have to tell everyone everything. How much you disclose is up to you and may depend on your relationship with the person. There are those you may wish to tell very little, but for those people you trust, you may wish to tell them a little more. It may be useful to practice what you want to say so that it’s not a big deal for you.
The Equality Act (2010) is a law that provides rights for people with an illness or disability. It may be really useful to tell schools, colleges or employers about your condition because they will then have to provide the support that you need – by law!
