I have a mobility disability, which affects certain aspects of my everyday life.

I have weak knees, caused by the thighbones being smooth where they would normally have a groove into which the kneecap fits and slides. This leads to dislocation a few times a year, and pain and stiffness at all times.

The result of this is that I walk with a crutch, avoid situations which may antagonise my knees such as stairs or long walks, and need to take a seat on public transport. I also need enough legroom to be able to keep my legs straight and to be able to change position frequently, which is particularly important in situations like the theatre or on long journeys.

I am perfectly able to work, and my knee weakness does not affect my job role in any way. The only limitations are that I cannot undertake heavy lifting (have been advised not to lift more than 5 kilos) and that I will need a fully adjustable chair with arms, and maybe a footrest, to work at a desk.

I travel regularly by tube and bus, although when the tube is so busy that I cannot get to sit down safely, I may need to wait a few minutes for the next train. In extreme cases, such as when the trains are crammed full due to service failure on other routes, I may be delayed by up to 15 minutes waiting for a train I can use. I will always work the full number of hours, however it would be appreciated if a flexible start time is applied in these circumstances.

The only other consideration for a client or employer is that of access. I require ground floor or lift access to the workplace, although a few steps can be managed regularly. Although in most instances I am able to use some stairs, I will be slower than other employees and using stairs regularly will antagonise my knees to the point where I cannot walk at all. Therefore, in the event of a fire alarm, there should be somewhere safe where I can wait, if the normal workplace is higher than one or two storeys from ground level.

I have been advised by my doctor to wear trainers at all times, to minimise the impact on my knees. I wear the most shoe-like style that I can find, to be suitable for the workplace.

I do everything I can to ensure that my mobility disability is not an issue. If you have any questions please feel free to ask!