Focusing on inclusion and ability for International Day of People with Disability

For International Day of People with Disability being held on 3 December, we are helping to promote awareness about the importance of inclusion for people with disability.

Acting Medical Co-Director of Youth Mental Health and Eating Disorders Dr Ettore Guaia said he always knew he was different. He was born with a rare inherited genetic condition called Oculocutaneous Albinism.

People with Albinism generally have white skin and hair caused by a lack of melanin pigment, grey or blue eyes, visual impairment and are sensitive to sunlight. Other symptoms include cross eyes and involuntary rapid eye movement.

Ettore said he was born in a small town in the south of Italy when there was little knowledge about the condition or what caused it.

“I consider myself lucky, because I had a loving family and teachers who accepted my condition and gave me the support I needed,” Ettore said.

“At school I looked different to the other kids and I couldn’t really see the blackboard, but I realised I had a super power and only needed to hear something once and could recall almost everything.”

Ettore said he knew he wanted to be a psychiatrist from when he was 16 years old because his experiences made him more compassionate to people with a disability and he wanted to understand how nature and nurture impacted on human behaviour.

“I had my doubters who said I couldn’t do it because of my vision problems, but my mother educated me to understand that although I had some challenges, I also had a lot of abilities.

He learned various techniques to help him with his studies and early medical training.

Ettore is extremely passionate about working as a mentor for doctors with a disability and sees many opportunities to further progress inclusivity in the health sector.

He is an active member of the Stanford Medicine Alliance for Disability Inclusion and Equity and he recently recorded a podcast for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists about visual impairment and the practice of psychiatry.

“I feel lucky to work at North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS), all the team has been very welcoming and accepting and it has enabled me to practice compassionate medicine and leadership,” Ettore said.

“My workplace has been adapted to suit my needs.”

“I believe it is vital for people with a disability to be open and honest about their requirements in the workplace, to help them achieve success.”

NMHS is committed to providing services that are welcoming and accessible for people with disability, their carers and families.

The NMHS 2022 to 2027 Disability Access and Inclusion Plan guides the organisation’s efforts, including recruitment processes and career progression opportunities.