When most people think of a “professional,” they might imagine someone sitting upright at a desk, typing away in a crisp suit, surrounded by paperwork and the soft glow of a neatly organized workspace. But what happens when the traditional image doesn’t fit, literally or figuratively?
For Isaac Harvey MBE, professionalism looks entirely different. He edits videos and attends meetings lying down, using his feet to navigate his computer. His definition of professionalism doesn’t always involve a handshake or flawless Zoom background. It’s about showing up authentically, doing the work well, and refusing to let outdated perceptions dictate what success looks like.
“I believe that today, being professional is not about how you work but about whether you get the work done,” Harvey says. “The process might look different for each of us, and that should not matter as long as the outcome is there.”
From Gaming to Creative Storytelling
Born with a physical disability, no upper limbs, short legs, scoliosis, and acid reflux, Harvey’s life has been defined by adaptation. His path to becoming a disability advocate and creative storyteller began, surprisingly, with video games.
When a friend casually handed him a PlayStation controller one summer, Harvey instinctively gripped it with his feet. What started as a simple game of Crash Bash became a gateway to his career in video editing. “That small moment changed everything,” he says. “It led me to the way I work today.”
Later, when he couldn’t rely on school assistants to help him with video editing assignments, he taught himself via YouTube tutorials. “There’s only so much a classroom can teach you,” Harvey reflects. “Figuring things out for myself gave me the foundation for the work I do now.”
Today, Harvey blends creativity and advocacy, sharing his lived experience online, producing videos, and creating story-driven guides to help others navigate their own challenges. His work embodies a new era of professionalism.
Challenging the Outdated Rules of Professionalism
Harvey’s viral hashtag, #IAmProfessional, was inspired by a tattooed flight attendant challenging stereotypes about what professionalism “should” look like. It prompted Harvey to reflect on how his own way of working might be perceived.
“For me, lying down in bed with a computer at my feet is not what most people would call ‘professional,’” he says. “Even without the disability element, working from bed is often seen as lazy or not serious. But I’m productive, creative, and reliable, and that’s what professionalism is about.”
In many workplaces, the idea of professionalism is still bound to appearance and performance rather than output, maintaining eye contact, sitting upright, showing up in person, keeping the camera on during meetings. For disabled professionals, these expectations can be exclusionary and rooted in ableism.
True professionalism, Harvey argues, should not be about conformity, it should be about contribution. It’s not about looking the part, it’s about doing the part.
Rethinking Access and Opportunity
Across industries, systemic barriers continue to prevent disabled people from entering and advancing in their careers. In the UK, for example, programs like Access to Work, intended to fund adaptive equipment and support workers, are mired in long delays that can stretch up to a year. In the US, outdated benefits rules can penalize disabled professionals for earning too much or saving for their future.
“We proved during COVID that people can be productive when they work in ways that suit them,” Harvey says. “For many of us, that was a game changer. But now there’s pressure to return to old ways of working.”
Harvey believes interviews, for example, could offer multiple ways to engage, written, spoken, or via video. “Someone might be nervous in an interview but could be an incredible video editor,” he explains. “If you only judge them on that first step, you might never discover what they’re truly capable of.”
The Future of Professionalism
The year 2025 has been difficult for disabled workers in the UK, Harvey admits. Yet, he remains hopeful. “It’s easy to feel like giving up, but if I stop, I’m not supporting the wider community,” he says. “We are all doing our part in different ways, and I am not alone in this fight.”
Harvey envisions a future where professionalism is redefined by integrity, creativity, and impact, as opposed to posture or ones proximity to power. Where career success is accessible to anyone willing to show up and contribute on their own terms.
“Professionalism is about being comfortable with who you are and still bringing your best to the table, no matter what that looks like.”