After surviving a serious accident twenty years ago which left him paralysed, Jason Anker has turned his focus to motivational speaking, so as to help everyone better understand the events surrounding his accident, but also the mindset required to move on and ensure it doesn’t happen in your workplace.
In the second part of their conversation, Jason talks about the moving on process, letting go of anger, the effects of monetary compensation, and the practical ways that have helped him to rediscover himself.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
After a drugs overdose and a bout of alcoholism, Jason applied himself to outdoor pursuits, such as water skiing. This also allowed him the opportunity to reconnect with his family.
The act of chasing compensation was long and arduous, and added great pain to Jason’s recovery period. The cheque, when it finally arrived, although a large amount of money at the time, was ultimately small in comparison to the things he had lost.
One of the most powerful forms of rehabilitation was looking for, and finding work again. By discovering his new place in the world, Jason was able to feel useful again, and to work his way back to normality.
Over time, Jason has learned to love himself again. He no longer indulges in unhealthy food and drinks, and has made other incremental changes that have all added up to a feeling of contentment and inner peace.
The workplace culture is highly beneficial to everyone. Work is so often seen as a grind or a process that we must work our way though. By creating a positive culture in the workplace, we can improve our wellbeing and our output.
BEST MOMENTS
‘Blame achieves nothing’
‘It’s been a rocky road up and down’
‘All I can change now is what I do in the future’
‘What a great term - we are here’
‘Don’t create a safety culture - just create a culture’
‘A beneficial culture is an investment'
VALUABLE RESOURCES
The Interesting Health And Safety Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/training-competency-creating-effective-plan-process/id1467771449?i=1000452692837
Jason Anker Website - https://www.jasonankerlive.com/about_jason/
Jason Anker Twitter - https://twitter.com/Proud2bSafe
ABOUT THE GUEST
Jason Anker was paralysed from the waist down due to an avoidable incident on a construction site in 1993 when he fell off a ladder. He was 24 years old.
His story of his life before the incident, the day of the incident, the time spent in hospital and rehab, his initial release from hospital and his struggle with life over the last 26 years is an honest and sometimes graphic account of the devastation the incident has had on Jason and his family & friends.
For 26 years he was unable to talk openly about his experience of a work related major incident. This is reflected in a story that is very raw; the emotion in which he delivers his talk is as strong as if it was the day of the incident.
ABOUT THE HOST
Colin Nottage
‘Making health and safety as important as everything else we do.’
This is the belief that Colin is passionate about and through his consultancy Influential Management Group (IMG) is able to spread into industry. Colin works at a strategic level with company owners and board members. He helps business leaders establish and achieve their health and safety ambitions.
He has developed a number of leading competency improvement programmes that are delivered across industry and his strengths are his ability to take a practical approach to problem-solving and being able to liaise at all levels within an organisation.
Colin also runs a company that vets contractors online and a network that develops and support H&S consultancies to become better businesses.
Colin chairs the Construction Dust Partnership, an industry collaboration directly involving many organisations, including the Health and Safety Executive.
He is a Post Graduate Tutor at Strathclyde University and a highly sought-after health and safety speaker and trainer. He has a Post Graduate Certificate in Safety and Risk management, an engineering degree and is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
