'My body may be failing, but my mind is sharp – I’m proud to be a travel advisor'
Homeworking agent Anita Laurie, of Time To Go Travel in Thetford, now has a career that allows her to thrive despite her disability
I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 25 years ago at just 36 and in recent years have had fibromyalgia, a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. I can wake up with extreme stiffness and soreness in my joints, coupled with extreme fatigue. Just walking a few yards can take a huge effort.
From the age of 16, I’d worked full time in corporate offices, but several years ago it became clear that I couldn’t continue. I was having lots of operations, and consultants were telling me to slow down. I went part-time and was put on furlough during the pandemic before being made redundant.
A friend suggested to me that I needed to look at something I could do from home. I’d heard about InteleTravel a year earlier but dismissed it because I was having an operation. However, the timing was right this time.
The low cost of entry was a big draw. I would have been scared to commit thousands of pounds, but here was the opportunity to work from home and run my own business without huge risk.
I threw myself into it and got addicted (and still am) to all the training that InteleTravel offers. For example, the other day I worked late to learn everything I could about Egypt.
Everyone at InteleTravel was very friendly and helpful. There was never any judgement. It was like therapy and gave me a new lease of life. I knew that if I worked hard, I could be successful.
I didn’t go abroad as an adult until I was 36 when I split up from my first husband. Then I realised what I was missing and really discovered my passion for travel.
A LIVED EXPERIENCE
It has got difficult recently, mainly because of the fatigue, but last year I went to Cyprus and Rhodes, as well as the InteleTravel conference in Malaga. I need specialist help at airports, but if you contact them in advance, they are very helpful. I’ve been given a wheelchair, taken through check-in and a special lane at customs, and had help putting my stuff in trays to go through security. One helper even asked if I needed a snack and drink for the flight.
I need to pace myself, but I have a positive attitude and travel enough to advise people about destinations.
The January period was very busy with lots of quotes to do and clients travelling to the Canaries and Poland, among other destinations. I’ve been to the Canaries nine times, so I’m a bit of an expert on the area.
I don’t advertise my situation or specialise in selling holidays for people with disabilities, but I know that it’s important to always ask people if they have any specialist needs, and I’m in a good position to offer advice.
Most of my business comes through Facebook. You have to be consistent with postings and make them interesting, rather than just offering deals. I’m also active on other community sites so that people get to know me.
BUILDING TRUST
I find people test me with smaller holidays and then come back for more when they are satisfied. My first booking was just a cheap caravan holiday, but I delivered and they came back and booked Disneyland Paris with me.
I qualified as a wedding and honeymoons specialist and did some “mini-moons” for couples, which were short breaks, and then later they came back and booked safaris to Kenya.
My body may be failing, but my mind is sharp. I’m proud to be a travel advisor, and I’m proud that I can offer an excellent service to customers.
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