Turning a life-changing diagnosis into a life-changing career

Turning a life-changing diagnosis into a life-changing career

Meet Gemma, a brand-new Specsavers Domiciliary Audiology Partner, whose journey from Optical Assistant to qualified Hearing Aid Dispenser (HAD) is as inspiring as it is empowering. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), she’s now using her experience to make a real difference in people’s lives—especially those who, like her, live with a disability.

I never imagined I’d be where I am today.

"Before joining Specsavers, I worked at Boots as an Optical Assistant (OA) working every Sunday. And as a single mum, I really wanted that time back for my family. Then, one day, I got a targeted email from the Specsavers recruitment team; it was for a Domiciliary OA role—Monday to Friday, access to a car, your own laptop, flexibility, freedom. It sounded too good to be true.

But it wasn’t. I took the plunge and joined Specsavers four years ago, and they’ve supported me every step of the way, even sponsoring me through university. What drew me in was the idea of helping people in their own homes, making a real difference. But what’s kept me here is the freedom to be myself. In domiciliary, you’re not in a clinical environment—you’re in someone’s home. They want someone warm, genuine, and kind and shows a bit of personality! You can be your true, authentic self. And that’s exactly what I needed.

I have MS. When I was diagnosed, I thought, “That’s it. My life is over.” But look at me now.

I have a job I absolutely love, and I’m giving back to people who are just like me. Domiciliary care isn’t just for older people—it’s for anyone with disabilities, anyone who needs that extra time and care. I know what kind of care I’d want, and I make sure I give that to every patient I see.

Scotland has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, and it affects a lot of young women.

I want someone out there, someone who’s just had a diagnosis like mine, to read this and feel inspired.

You can still achieve so much. A life-changing diagnosis doesn’t mean your life is over. Take a leaf out of my book: stay positive, keep going, and don’t let anyone knock you down.

Specsavers has been incredible in supporting my journey. I live right on the boundary of three domiciliary teams, so I’ve worked with a few over the years. I started with one team, then moved to Fife, which I loved—but they didn’t offer audiology services. Patients were literally asking to buy hearing aids, and we couldn’t help them. So, it was then that I decided to train as a Hearing Aid Dispenser myself to give our patients what they need.

The Edinburgh team supervised me through my training, and once I was able, I went back to Fife to make sure we could offer the service there.

I’ve just qualified as a HAD, and now I’m about to become a Domiciliary HAD Partner in Fife.

I even completed the Specsavers Pathway programme alongside university. It was a lot—being a single mum, running the Fife business, studying—but I had so much support. What I learned most from Pathway is that Specsavers values honesty, kindness, and hard work. They want people who are true to themselves.

As part of my new role in Partnership, Specsavers are bringing in a Customer Service Partner (CSP) to support me. It’s hard doing it all alone, and this partnership will help us grow and keep making a difference. The financial investment is more than reasonable for what you get out of it, and the support from Specsavers is unmatched.

Four years ago, I was just looking for a part-time job to fit around my family. Now, I’m a partner, running a service that’s changing lives—including mine”.