Rhiannon Hatchard | “I like to use my experiences of having autism as a positive and let kids know that it’s okay and not a bad thing”
Rhiannon Hatchard | “I like to use my experiences of having autism as a positive and let kids know that it’s okay and not a bad thing”
For 23-year-old Rhiannon Hatchard, a diagnosis of Asperger’s three years ago has given her the opportunity to speak positively about her experiences of the condition.
A Community Sports Coach with Wigan Athletic Community Trust, Rhiannon was speaking during Autism Acceptance Week (28th March – 3rd April) and explained how Asperger’s – which is a form of the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – has given her a better understanding of the way she thinks.
She said: “I was diagnosed when I was 20 and we kind of knew my whole life because there were little things that did stick out and I’ve got family members that have the same condition.
“When I found out it was quite nice really because it made me able to understand myself more and be a lot kinder to myself and understand why I think differently and why I do certain things.
“It was nice because I don’t really see it as a disability because it’s called a disability, but I don’t like to see it that way.
“I like to see it as a way that it’s made me think more creatively and given me different perspectives on life.”
Whilst working for the club’s official charity, Rhiannon has been sharing her experiences of living with the condition with youngsters in her sessions and believes it can only have a positive effect.
She added: “I like to use it as a positive, so when I tell people I’ve got autism, they’re shocked because I don’t come across as if I do.
“There are a lot of stigmas these days about autism, especially on TV. It’s just presented one way, that [autistic people] don’t understand emotions but there are so many different aspects and perspectives on it, you can’t really pinpoint it.
“For me, the best part of it in the job is when the kids that have autism themselves find out that I’ve got autism – it shocks them but in a good way.
“You can see they want to talk to me about it and we can talk to each other about our own experiences, and I can help them understand that it’s okay, it’s not a bad thing and it won’t stop you from doing things in your life.
“I feel it’s important to be able to speak to the teachers and the parents as well and help them understand because sometimes it’s nice because by talking to them you can see it helping them gain a perspective on how it might be for those children as well.”
Rhiannon first joined the Community Trust in September 2021 through the Kickstart scheme, which has now provided her with an opportunity to pursue a career in sports coaching.
She added: “I came here with no qualifications and no sporting qualifications, and I’ve never known how to deliver a session, but I’ve always loved sports growing up and taking part in them.
“When I first started, I felt anxious and shy, but now I’ve made some really good work colleagues and made good relationships with people.
“Looking back, it’s had its challenges and sometimes I’ve been thrown into the deep end which does overwhelm me but at the same time it’s done me good and helped me learn how to deal with things in different ways.
“It’s helped me grow as a person, I’ve learnt how to deliver a session and support children and teachers, and everyone at the Trust has been really understanding and given me great support that I’ve not had in other jobs before.
“The job feels really rewarding, there’s a lot of rewarding factors and I just feel like my confidence has gained quite a lot because I started off as such a shy and quiet person.
“I’m doing more on the disability sessions and the disability side, which I’m really enjoying, it’s so rewarding hearing stories and how it affects their lives, how they manage it and how they’ve grown with it as well.
“It’s really interesting and I’m hoping to go in that direction. I’m working part time here now, so I’m just doing different sessions and seeing where it takes me to be honest.”
