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WINTER 2023 InTouch | 9 I FOUND A NEW HOME IN MY CAREER Entering the real estate industry came with its own set of challenges. Not only was I navigating an industry where some may classify judgement and scrutiny as ‘healthy competition’, but I was also challenging stereotypes as a young disabled woman in a modern society. I always had fears about what sort of environment the agency I joined would have, I doubted my physical capabilities and feared clients and colleagues would be reluctant to work with me because of it and in all honesty it’s disappointing to be living in a society where people continue to view people as a burden and incompetent because we have a disability. When I first met Andrew Clark, the manager of Barfoot & Thompson Waiuku, it really changed my perspective. He works tirelessly to create a workplace that is uplifting and supportive, which is something so rare in the real estate industry. His understanding of my disability and immense amount of support regarding my career and any challenges I may face really shifted my mindset. He undoubtedly helped me, and many other agents recognize our worth and continues to make our office judgement free and a safe place for all of us. It is common for people with disabilities to overlook their value and focus solely on the negatives associated with their condition, I have been guilty of this mindset, but now I recognise my disability as an opportunity to offer a fresh perspective. I am now three months into my real estate career and have really found a love and passion for it. I’ve become more open about my disability, even speaking on a panel where I candidly discussed my experiences and mindset. If I have learnt anything so far in life, it is that having a disability has its negatives, but it also created a resilient strong woman. It never should be something to define you; it is a part of you, and yes at times it will feel limiting, it does not dictate who you are. While I may have been dealt a difficult hand in life, everything happens for a reason and I may not fully understand life’s reasons for my struggles, but I wouldn’t change who I have become because of it, I discovered an amazing career in real estate, met incredible people, and experienced more in my life so far than most people do in a lifetime. Ella Mills Entering the real estate industry came with its own set of challenges. Not only was I navigating an industry where some may classify judgement and scrutiny as ‘healthy competition’, but I was also challenging stereotypes as a young disabled woman in a modern society. my bag. Mentally, it has been a lengthy battle to accept how fast my disability is progressing, and as though time is running out and there are still so many things I want to accomplish. Over the past five years, I have achieved more than I ever imagined. Despite the physical demands, I moved to Wellington to study Biology medicine and later decided to become a Real Estate agent at Barfoot & Thompson Waiuku. There were moments where the challenges I faced in this career felt impossible to overcome, however I’ve come to realise that success is built upon learning to adapt and evolve through it all and still managing to be the best version of yourself. Small gestures you make for people over your lifetime will always be a reflection of who you are, a kind heart is something that will flow into your career and that is the best legacy to leave behind. My father suddenly passed away when I was 17, he had a massive influence on how I viewed life with a disability, the mindset he installed in me flowed into nearly every aspect of my life. In the initial months after his passing, my life seemed to pause on that moment of loss, which affected me mentally and physically, as it would for anyone. Grief seeps into every aspect of one’s life, but I refused to be a victim consumed by it. After that I couldn’t help but feel unmotivated towards my career path. I spent a year pursuing a career that reflected the dreams of a previous version of myself. Learning and accepting that I am not that person anymore and pursuing a new dream career in real estate which felt like a breath of fresh air and in a way, I found a new home in my career.