A Unique Perspective: Thomas Harrison’s Journey as Disability Advisor

Thomas Harrison brings an extraordinary perspective to his new role as the Bishop of Norwich’s advisor for disability. As the first person appointed to this voluntary position, Thomas, who is blind, hopes to transform how churches welcome and include disabled individuals. Living aboard a boat called the Golden Mean at Brundall with his family for the past 22 years, Thomas combines his engineering background with his experience of disability to offer unique insights into creating truly inclusive church communities.

Bishop Graham Usher expressed enthusiasm about working with Thomas, noting that his guidance will be “a blessing to many.” The Bishop emphasized that “people with disabilities and additional needs are as much a part of the Church as anyone else,” highlighting the importance of ensuring their welcome, inclusion, and participation. Thomas’s appointment follows his completion of the Church of England’s Enabling Leaders Programme, which specifically helps disabled and neurodivergent individuals step into leadership roles. Thomas articulates a vision that moves beyond an “‘us and them’ mentality” regarding disability. Drawing from his own experience as a volunteer at Lourdes as a teenager when he still had full sight, he reflects on a profound interaction with an elderly man: “I was a 19-year-old volunteer pushing a 95-year-old man in a wheelchair but as we talked, who was being helped?” This experience taught him that the helper-helped relationship benefits both parties, challenging conventional notions about assistance and support.

Thomas lost his vision due to a genetic condition while studying for an engineering degree, but his perspective on this life-changing event is remarkably grounded. “Asking ‘Why me?’ is a bit of a dead end,” he explains, expressing his belief that God doesn’t burden people beyond their capacity to cope. He considers his blindness “not a total disaster,” noting that constant pain would be “far worse.” This practical outlook extends to his approach to life: “Life is a bit of a muddle a lot of the time and you can only do your best.” Thomas particularly values the concept of hospitality in religious settings, observing that “Jesus was hospitable. He met people where they were.” This philosophy underpins his vision for church inclusion – creating environments where all people feel genuinely welcomed as they are. Thomas’s personal journey includes meeting his wife Hilary while they both volunteered for the Samaritans. After Thomas worked for London Underground and Hilary became a teacher, they pursued their dream of living on a boat, first on the Thames and later on the Waveney and Yare rivers in Norfolk, Hilary’s home region. Their unique lifestyle inspired Hilary to write a book titled “Rock the Boat,” chronicling their nautical adventures.

Despite his blindness, Thomas maintains his engineering identity through his responsibility for boat maintenance. He navigates the inner workings of the Golden Mean entirely by touch – managing the engine, repairing the boiler, organizing sails and ropes, and fixing leaks. This tactile relationship with his surroundings extends to his comfort with the boat as a living space: “I actually find big houses more difficult to navigate. Here I know where everything is.” The Harrison family fully embraced boat life, even homeschooling their children aboard the Golden Mean. Over the years, their floating home has accommodated various family pets and two Guide Dogs, demonstrating their adaptability and commitment to this unconventional lifestyle. Thomas appreciates the connection to nature, the mobility of their home, and the accessibility of solitude: “You can move your home, and you don’t have to go far to be completely away from everyone.”

Thomas’s appointment comes at a time of growing awareness around disability inclusion in religious communities. Recently, the Christian disability awareness charity Through the Roof held a Disability Inclusion and Belonging event at Witard Road Baptist Church in Norwich, bringing together local Christians passionate about making churches throughout Norfolk and East Anglia more accessible and welcoming to people with disabilities. As Thomas begins his advisory role, he brings not just his personal experience of blindness, but also his professional expertise analyzing websites and apps for accessibility at a national charity. This combination of lived experience, professional knowledge, and spiritual commitment positions him uniquely to guide churches toward more inclusive practices. In Thomas Harrison’s story, we find a compelling example of how disability can offer valuable perspectives rather than limitations – how difference can enrich communities rather than divide them, and how faith can provide both purpose and practicality in navigating life’s challenges.