As part of mental health awareness week, we want to celebrate some of the achievements our people have been working towards outside of Willmott Dixon Interiors.
These inspiring stories from our people provide insight into personal experiences and challenges and what they have been doing to overcome these or raise awareness of specific issues they have faced.
Nabeel Javed
Nabeel Javed, Senior Building Manager is currently working on a Willmott Dixon Interiors mental health hospital project in the Midlands.
Nabeel was diagnosed with Thalassemia Major at birth, and was given his first blood transfusion at 3 months. Thalassaemia major is a severe blood disorder which affects the body’s ability to produce healthy red blood cells. The disorder requires Nabeel to be life dependent on monthly blood transfusions and specific daily medication control his iron overload. The illness causes several other complications and there is no easy cure available.
“I’ve been living with this since birth, so growing up wasn’t the easiest. I was unable to do the things any “normal” kid would be able to do; I was always the slowest or the weakest in the class. Growing up, I was always extremely fatigued and tired and my consultant at that time, explained it would be difficult for me to build muscle and take part in sporting activities. I was extremely underweight and saw my illness as nothing but an obstacle. Growing up I was fascinated by boxing and loved the sport, I got quite disheartened I couldn’t take part in the sport. For years I allowed myself to think there was a barrier around me and that I wasn’t good enough. But one day this all changed, I woke up and thought to myself why should I see my illness as an obstacle? Why can’t I do it? Why am I not capable? Feeling sorry for myself hasn’t benefited me. I realised I wanted a change in my life, I didn’t care how long it took or how I’d get there all I knew is a CHANGE is what I wanted.”
Nabeel started to pursue his love of boxing, and is now competing in his first boxing event at a white collar boxing show on Saturday 21st May.
“I want to raise awareness about my illness and let people know that they can achieve anything they put their mind to. I want people to know they are not alone! Whether you suffer from an illness, obesity, anorexia, disability, mental health disorder or depression. DO NOT THINK CHANGE IS NOT POSSIBLE! IF I CAN DO IT ANYONE CAN! THE SKY IS THE LIMIT! I want to help people who were once in my position. It wasn’t easy opening up about something so personal, but if my story can motivate JUST ONE person then it’s a job well done for me.”
We are very proud of Nabeel and how his battle with Thalassemia Major and his achievements have inspired others. The Willmott Dixon Interiors team wish him all the luck in his boxing match, and will be supporting him at the event.
If you want to read more about Nabeel’s story and how you can support, please click here.
Andy Tustin
Andy Tustin, Head of Health, Safety & Environment at Willmott Dixon Interiors previously served in the Falklands war, and wants to mark the 40th anniversary by taking part in a 9 day cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats (LEJOG).
Andy Tustin, Head of Health, Safety & Environment at Willmott Dixon Interiors
“40 years ago, I was involved in one of the biggest events in my life when I deployed to the Falklands to liberate the Islanders from the Argentine forces as a young 20-year-old. This year I am setting myself a challenge over the same period 40 years later where I will attempt to Cycle self-supported i.e., by bike and me carrying all my kit with me over a 9 day period the length of the UK from Lands End to John O’Groats (LEJOG)”
Andy Tustin 1992
This will include covering on average over 100mile a day and include a stop off at the Spean Bridge Commando Memorial in Scotland.
“In the last 40 years, I have experienced a lot of suffering and illness both in my Military career and within the construction industry in the last 10 or so years where individual family members and colleagues have suffered from, either Heart conditions, Cancer illness, and Mental Health issues and some have lost their fight against these conditions.”
Andy Tustin
Andy’s route will take him through the following towns:
- Lands’ End
- Tue 31 May – Okehampton/Hatherleigh
- Wed 01 Jun – Portishead
- Thu 02 Jun – Birmingham Kingswinford
- Fri 03 Jun – Preston
- Sat 04 Jun – Carlisle
- Sun 05 Jun – Dunbarton
- Mon 06 Jun – Fort William (Spean Bridge Commando Memorial)
- Tue 07 Jun – Tain
- Wed 08 Jun – John O’Groats
We wish Andy all the best in his journey for this admirable cause. If you would like to find out more or support him, please click here.