8 minute read
Walking the Walk and Talking the Talk
WALKING THE WALK AND TALKING THE TALK: MEET STORYTELLER AND CHANGE MAKER, AMO RAJU
With a new book coming out, we had to get the latest from the CEO of Disability Direct, Amo Raju.
AMO Raju is a disabled person who has not only overcome challenges in life, but has also become a leader in his own right. Creating a roadmap for peers and tomorrow’s leaders, Amo is a champion of disability rights and through his work as a speaker and CEO of Disability Direct, is making change like no-one else. We spoke to Amo about his life and achievements, and also asked him about the launch of his upcoming book, Walk Like a Man.
You have been described as ‘forthright, fearless and outspoken’ by The BBC Politics Show, what makes you so and how has this helped you in your career in the disability charity sector?
I wasn’t necessarily born with those characteristics. I think, if I’m honest, they are approaches which slowly arose from my frustration with how society views disabled people. In my younger days, I was naïve enough to believe decision-makers and those generally in power when they spoke about their commitments to equality. Now, I simply can’t resist but state openly that I’ve heard it all before and that it’s time for a little less conversation and more action please. Some of it is also down to being a grumpy old git too.
Has it helped me in my career in the disability sector? I don’t know. If anything, it’s probably helped filter out any potential time-wasters who would previously line up to see what I could do for them, rather than what they could do for the cause. For example, I receive countless requests to connect on social media and I, more than often, oblige as I’m genuinely interested to follow the journey of people in all industries, Yet, often within a few minutes they’re trying to sell me a
service or product and I tend to switch off. No offence, but if I want your service, I’ll contact you.
As an intersectional entrepreneur, you work across a variety of areas, including motivational speaking and workshops addressing race, culture and faith through to disability equality, why is it so important that these areas are addressed in SME’s and start-up companies, specifically in the social and health care?
I think now more than ever, employers and employees of the ‘new world’ need motivating and there is no better way to inspire than by examples of how challenges are there to make us greater, as individuals and teams.
Most employees will be working at this very minute for SME’s or start-up businesses. They usually embody the front face, culture and performance of the company. However, SME’s have also traditionally struggled to invest in their staff, particularly in all types of Equality training. Apart from the moral or ethical case for such awareness within a company, there is a clear business case. Customers are now more conscious about such issues and increasingly likely to shop where the image or culture mirrors their own. In terms of health & social care, it’s a service that most of the population will need at some stage. It therefore goes without saying that it’s in our own interests to ensure anyone looking after us actually understands our backgrounds.
You are also CEO of
Disability Direct, a disability charity that supports disabled people in Derby and is one of the biggest Userled organisations in the East Midlands, why did you take on this role and how have you helped the organisations grow?
The story of Disability Direct and Amo Raju tends to be incredibly intertwined and, without giving too much away about my book, the role of CEO kind of landed in my lap through circumstances at that time. Along with a baptism of fire followed by sheer grit, the job description changed beyond recognition which gave me options to make the charity, as you say, the biggest in the East, if not entire Midlands.
The organization is user-led indeed. However, those ‘users’ are progressive and have given me the opportunity to try whatever bright idea is bouncing around inside my head. Don’t get me wrong, they have the power to reign me in if needed, although this hasn’t really happened in 27 years.
The success of every organization stems from the staff. In the case of Disability Direct, I surround myself with a set of managers who are, as a matter of fact, better than me in their areas of expertise. Too often, CEO’s recruit managers who are confined to limiting job descriptions which ultimately restricts the potential for growth. I see the role of a CEO as that of a sounding board for the true talent which exists within the wider staff base.
You have a book coming out soon, Walk Like A Man, which is based on events from your life, what inspired you to write this book?
Those closest to me have continually stated that I seemed to have lived some sort of extraordinary life. The truth is, as a disabled person myself, I’ve been so busy living it I didn’t really reflect on the issues I faced. Now they have been put into text, I suppose they could appear fascinating to others.
As I entered my fifties, I began to talk a little about a subject which even those within my inner circle knew nothing about – my lifelong relationship with depression. The more I spoke about it, the more I realized how much of a taboo topic it still is in today’s society. I thought maybe there is a story there which will inspire the next generation of disabled people and hopefully encourage those affected by mental health to keep talking.
Walk Like A Man is coauthored with ghost writer Mani Hayre, what made you decide to work with a ghost writer and what was the process like?
I’m the first to admit that I have an ego the size of England and therefore writing about myself wasn’t going to be a problem. However, I actually wanted someone totally independent, someone who had never met me or even heard of me to oversee the project to give an objective opinion about each of the many sub-stories. I had actually written the first three or four chapters and when the country went into lockdown in March 2020, my ability to write seemed to follow suit. I remember browsing through LinkedIn and came across a post by Mani who had, in so many words, offered to take on a writing project for potential clients. I did a very brief background check and noted she, herself, had experience in depression and mental health. Without any hesitation I reached out and I know it may sound corny, but we gelled straight away and the rest is history.
The process was great, yet strangely spooky. ‘Walk Like A Man’ is based on the relationship between the protagonist, a character called ‘AJ’, and his counselling or therapy sessions over a number of years with ‘Dr Khan’. Mani’s weekly zoom meetings were also based on me divulging episodes throughout my life which psychologically affected me. Whilst each session was emotionally quite taxing, I also found it cathartic. Talking really does help.
What are your dreams for the book?
ignorance and expectations.
The more people come forward from all walks of life to declare their own personal battles with mental health, the less it will be an issue. If it encourages people to reach out for support, I will have achieved my goal.
What advice could you give to other disabled people who may be keen to write their life story or a story based on their life?
Every person has a story, a journey to where they are now, physically and mentally. Everyone also will have, at some stage, felt so alone, isolated and helpless. I would encourage them to open up the laptop or start jotting some notes on paper and possibly start from where I did and I can assure you, you will surprise yourself in the revelation of how unique you truly are.
You may not decide to release a book, but if nothing else, you have a script which you can refer to when the going gets tough.
I’ll finish by giving you one of my mantras – ‘Don’t talk about it…Do it!’
Where can people purchase the book and further support the work that you do?
The book is initially available online through Amazon. However, it will most likely be available on the high street soon after.
The events in the book are based on my real life experiences and whilst there are many, readers will definitely resonate with at least one of them. Those experiences caused me to bottle my emotions to protect the feelings of those around me, but at cost to my own mental well-being. I hope once people read my story, they may find hope in how I dealt with and still deal with societal
If people want to know more about Amo and where to connect, check out the following websites
amoraju.com disabilitydirect.com
LinkedIn: Amo Singh Raju
