Losing my foot in 2023 completely changed how I see ESG. Disability inclusion is not a checkbox or a CSR activity it is dignity & survival. When I ran my pest control company, I didn’t know the term “ESG,” but I practised its values instinctively. I gave employees with health issues lighter duties, allowed flexible hours & treated migrant workers with patience and respect. They were human beings with families and hopes, not disposable labour.
I understood how quickly society decides your worth based on your body after becoming disabled myself. Some people looked at me differently, as if my potential vanished overnight. Even the smallest gestures of empathy such as a flexible role, a leader who adjusts, or someone who recognizes your abilities rather than your disabilities can reignite confidence & a sense of purpose.
This is why true ESG matters. Not the document, not the policy, not the announcement but the lived experience of people behind it. Inclusion isn’t charity. It is how businesses build loyalty, resilience & real human value. For people like me, it is a second chance at life and dignity.