Alex Barker

I often wonder what job I would be doing if I hadn’t been born with Moebius Syndrome? Airline pilot, lead guitarist  for a band, or truck driver are just three that spring to mind.  The truth is that instead of any of those jobs I’m doing a job that benefits other people who are disabled.

I work for Aston University, in Birmingham, UK as their Assistive Technology Officer. 

My job is to help disabled students get the best out of their technology.  I feel that I’m qualified to do this job, as I’m a tech geek at heart, and I’m disabled, and I was a student (a long time ago!).  I’m just coming up to my first anniversary of joining Aston, but for more than 23 years I worked at a not for profit charity in the UK helping disabled and older people to use technology.

Having Moebius has definitely made me be able to relate to other disabled individuals and I’m able to support them to achieve in their studies. I’m very proud to say that I was the first one in our family to get a degree.

Changing jobs in your 50’s is quite difficult, but my colleagues are very supportive of me, and it really helps that I love my job, even on the days when I have to wake up at 5am to get the 7-27 train…..

The Voice of the Moebius Syndrome Community – mfoms.org