Employment in the disability world is a hot topic these days. Currently, the unemployment rate is low because there are more jobs available. But for someone with a disability, finding gainful employment is a struggle. Too often employers look at a potential employee with a disability in a negative way. No matter how educated a person is, how much experience one has or ability – the focus of the employer is on the disability.
I’m here to tell you that if you want something badly enough, never quit trying. I have my certification in education and a bachelors of science. After I graduated college, I quickly started to try to find a job as a teacher. Rejection after rejection came in instead of acceptance. In the meantime, I didn’t want to sit around and do nothing. I created my own jobs for awhile. I tried web design. My writing career for online web sites, and my friend and I published a book.
I became Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania to help advocate for people with disabilities. I hoped it would increase my chances for employment. Traveling to various schools, organizations and conferences to give presentations built my public speaker resume. I enjoyed the year, but I wanted my own job preferably as a teacher.
Before employment
Marriage came and I had a lucrative job offer from a web site as a writer. I worked there for a few years and other online work. I found out I was pregnant and wanted to be home with my baby. To make a long story short, even when both my children were young, I never gave up the dream to teach. I started teaching at my church to children on a volunteer basis and still do.
Now both my children are in school, and the urge to work full time hit me harder than ever. I applied to more jobs, went on plenty of interviews, and even wrote various places that might potentially like my services. Through my emails and an interview, I was accepted to a part time position as a standardized patient right after my interview.
Reaching a goal
My goal continued to be other employment outside of the home. In the past, I applied to my local YMCA to various positions. I volunteered for the YMCA when I planned and implemented Accessible Halloween. Accessible Halloween gave all children with an array of disabilities an opportunity to trick or treat. Unfortunately, I kept getting turned down for other employment at the YMCA.
I refused to give up despite the rejection letters. Finally, I received an email requesting me to come in for a working interview. I had to create and design an activity to do with about twelve students in an after care program. The supervisor suggested something for Halloween so we did Autumn bingo and made a Halloween craft. The students were very nice and enjoyed the activities. My only regret was I didn’t bring one more craft for when they completed the wreath. But all in all, everything went very well. I stayed for the Halloween party while being supervised. I made sure to interact with everyone.
The supervisor said I really did a good job and felt impressed that I took on a leadership role. She had some concerns over my cerebral palsy and being unable to physically do tasks. But with my leadership skills and organization plus my teaching background, she thought I’d be a good candidate for the position.
I’ll never forget how excited I felt when I opened the email saying I had been accepted to the position. I start right after the Thanksgiving holiday, and I’m busy doing my training and pre employment requirements. I can’t wait for my first day!
Originally published by Cerebral Palsy News Today by Jessica Grono
