SEARCH 1,000
stories, 75 discussions |
|
ARCHIVES | BOOKS | CRITERIA | DIGEST | HOME | LINKS | MAP | MISSION | ONGOING DISCUSSIONS | RULES |
|
HOME text version of navigation bar
SEARCH 1,000
stories, 75 discussions |
|
ARCHIVES | BOOKS | CRITERIA | DIGEST | HOME | LINKS | MAP | MISSION | ONGOING DISCUSSIONS | RULES |
|
How have you dealt with a situation
in which disability outweighed other differences for finding the right fit?
[ Break Out Home | Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Break Out Story ]
Name: Susie Kamp
Email: smkinmn@aol.com
Date: 09 Mar 1998
Time: 00:14:24
Remote Name: ww-tn01.proxy.aol.com
Comments
Life in the 1950's and 60's was glorious and filled with opportunity. Society, firmly grounded in the "American Dream," guaranteed a bright and prosperous future. The obstacles I faced related to women's issues and despite prominence of the women's movement, they did not particularly move me one way or another. My sister harbored a perspective quite divergent from mine. She was disabled with profound hearing loss. Through her I came to appreciate the difficulties and prejudice experienced by minority populations. I adhered to my conviction, however, that the American Dream promised everyone success.
In the pre-dawn hours of a sultry July day in 1953, high on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River as it twisted its way through the beautiful--and once quaint--city of Minneapolis, I was born into the majority society which engendered our social and political precepts. My mother was a homemaker, my father a successful entrepreneur, molded by traditional American male concepts instilled in him from the time of his birth in 1918. Women he employed worked only in the secretarial pool or operating the switchboard. Like many men of his era, my father regarded women as subordinate. Ironically, he devoted enormous effort to instill within me goals of leadership, assertiveness and independence. He emphatically asserted that I could do and become anything I desired; that I had only to believe in my dreams and in myself. (I envisioned myself much like Dorothy standing in Oz Land, making my wish, needing only to click together my ruby slippers to realize my wishes). His attitude and behavior remained the great oxymoron. Had he failed to take note of my gender? I planned to graduate from school, marry and raise a family. But the task to which my father set forth, that of making me an assertive leader, prevailed.
My father taught me to achieve success through striving for loftier endeavors that would propel me beyond my limitations. He told me I would be deprived of opportunity only if I failed to take risks. He said if I pursued only that in which I felt confident I would never utilize my potential. So when I lacked self-confidence, I learned to visualize myself reaching my goal. Through employing these principles, my father promised I would achieve my aspirations. His lessons became my gateway to the "American Dream."
Deciding to test out my newly acquired principles, at age seventeen I boldly strut into a Minneapolis newspaper company pronouncing I wanted to be a writer. The editor leaned back in his chair, the corners of his mouth curved upwards. He appeared amused yet intrigued. He queried about my newspaper or writing experience, which was none, then asked why I believed he should employ me. I no longer recall the reasons I gave him but he hired me, stating my assertiveness outweighed my lack of experience. Had I earned this job through sheer effort? Or was I granted an opportunity because of my advantaged position in society?
In 1988, I returned to college at the age of thirty-four to pursue a degree in counseling. Apprehensive and lacking confidence in my ability to survive the halls of academia, I heard my father's voice, "Believe and you will achieve." And I did. I became president, then vice president of the honor's society, a member of student government, editor of the college paper, a tutor, and actively worked with disabled students. I graduated with honors, scholarships and became the State Chancellor's Student of the Year. I overcame my fears, achieving that which I believed lay beyond my capabilities.
My father's promise to me became evidenced through repeated success, solidifying my belief that nothing could stand in the way of one's achievements except oneself. I acquired wisdom through my experience, yet remained entirely unaware of the extent of my naivete. I received the gift of intelligence which unknowingly I compromised by acts of stupidity. I had no concept of the appalling magnitude of discrimination and oppression which created impenetrable barriers to the "American Dream" for so many people. For them it embodied the great American deception and myth. I failed to recognize the simplicity of my views about opportunity and my elementary construct of the word, "limitation." The ideal I held dear to heart and believed everyone had access to--that of the "American Dream"--was a facade to which I remained blinded. But soon, life would register me for an experiential graduate course in disability from the master of all teachers.
In 1989, while still attending college I secured a summer counseling internship at a residential treatment center for adults with mental illnesss. They hired me as a mental health worker and in '93, I took over as business manager. I loved my job. It was the "perfect fit!" I flourished, my endeavors brought reward and recognition. My annual reviews reflected exemplary performance. I exuded happiness, enthusiasm and took joy in bringing a sense of humor and optimism to an otherwise grueling environment. My coworkers became friends and as the years passed I came to regard them as my second family. My job was a labor of love.
In 1995, my doctor referred me to physical therapy for painful muscle spasms. My supervisor reassured me that my performance remained above par. My condition worsened and in January of '96, I began a twenty month journey into exhaustive testing. I kept up with my job duties and my supervisor continued to praise my work and offer support. In May '96, I experienced muscle weakness in my legs and arms. By July I could ambulate only short distances without a wheelchair. My chair on wheels allowed me to access every corner of my tiny office at work. If ever my job was a "perfect fit," it was at this time in particular.
During the summer of '96, my supervisor of seven years announced his resignation. My new supervisor took over in July, expressing little tolerance for my medical appointments. He seemed particularly anxious about my muscle weakness and possessed little empathy for my illness. He raised concerns about the ADA and his liability, requesting a letter stating my prognosis. His attitude bewildered me as it contradicted the ethical standards of a licensed psychologist. It negated the explicit mission of our program: to provide empathy, help, support and opportunity for seriously ill people, many with permanent disability. An atmosphere saturated with tension began to enshroud me. I felt vulnerable and began to fear for my job.
Hostilities escalated following my diagnosis with FSH Muscular Dystrophy in Sept. '97. My boss initiated verbal and written threats of dismissal. I canceled appointments for therapy, rehab, doctors and counseling. He expected me to come into work while ill. I was written up for missing twelve hours due to strep throat. Over a three week period, exposure to formaldehyde fumes induced severe allergic reactions requiring repeated medical treatment. My employer refused my requests to shampoo the carpeting or provide an alternative working environment. Finally I turned to the EEOC for support and counsel. While they informed me of my rights, they also told me it was in my best interest to start looking for a new job. Stunned and sullen, I sat motionless for what seemed like hours. I trusted the ADA to protect me as a disabled worker. I believed that without justifiable cause I could not be terminated.
On the morning of Jan. 23, 1998, I was told to immediately pack my things and leave. I was terminated. My once "perfect fitting" job now personified all the imperfections of my world. In one fleeting moment my skills, achievements and contributions became entirely irrelevant. No amount of assertiveness or tenacity could reverse what had occurred. The techniques I used to achieve success throughout my career--the principles my father taught me--were rendered impotent. My physical disability became larger than life, outweighing my attributes and nullifying years of productive, dedicated service and contribution.
I joined ranks with 77% of the disabled population who remain unemployed, the largest non-working minority group in the United States. The very systems and laws set up to protect us are beginning to fail. The "American Dream" had also failed me. For the very first time in my life, it became inaccessible to me; a reality acknowledged by millions of minorities who walked the path before me. It was a dream reserved for the ethnocentric privileged majority of which I was no longer a part. It had become the "impossible dream."
This was not a vacuous experience, however. The principles my father taught me became void only in their previous context. I could adapt and utilize them in rebuilding my life and new dreams; dreams not entailing "tilting at windmills." Out of the loss of my job I have the opportunity to pursue a freelance career which embraces my love of books and writing. Most importantly, I have risen out of complacency, compelled to increase quality of life and opportunities for all people with disabilities, via public and political arenas.
Living with disability in the 90's remains difficult, exacerbated by a system which is regressing rather than moving forward. We must shift gears, the sole responsibility of which lies in our hands. We have a long and difficult road ahead of us, one we must collectively embark upon if we expect to cultivate equal opportunity and access. Out of this we may also likely find our "perfect fit." And as long as we remain open to the possibility of creating and achieving new dreams, we need never succumb to "the impossible dream."
Copyright © (1999) (Susie Kamp). All rights reserved.
From: gZLCXbDWgDw
Email: kwxivl@ketuye.com
Date: 04 Mar 2008
Time: 11:14:59
Remote Name: 195.225.178.21
Remote User:
2WfnuA <a href="http://uewygqrjgdsj.com/">uewygqrjgdsj</a>, [url=http://gywxdofeyypa.com/]gywxdofeyypa[/url [link=http://gxnnswjrxsbi.com/]gxnnswjrxsbi[/link http://oueoyxpjvsvw.com/
From: ZSSxHxkpYVzQ
Email: nedrrv@tfripw.com
Date: 02 Apr 2008
Time: 05:34:59
Remote Name: 195.225.178.21
Remote User:
gbNQ9R <a href="http://fsozetqwbhkb.com/">fsozetqwbhkb</a>, [url=http://dmyqwqaajrcr.com/]dmyqwqaajrcr[/url [link=http://bgonsgrtceei.com/]bgonsgrtceei[/link http://cmnjagbbaxtq.com/
From: Denise
Email:
Date: 06 Apr 2008
Time: 16:59:50
Remote Name: 70.87.66.210
Remote User:
masturbation avec les pieds: http://masturbationaveclespieds.videopu.waw.pl <br> mamie nue: http://mamienue.videopu.waw.pl <br> amatrice 1 wmv gratuite: http://amatrice1wmvgratuite.videopu.waw.pl <br> manga asiatique sex domination: http://mangaasiatiquesexdomination.videopu.waw.pl <br> recits de ma premiere double penetration anale: http://recitsdemapremieredoublepenetrationanale.videopu.waw.pl <br> cam strip nue: http://camstripnue.videopu.waw.pl <br> voir sous les jupes en vid o: http://voirsouslesjupesenvido.videopu.waw.pl <br> free video cynthia lavigne: http://freevideocynthialavigne.videopu.waw.pl <br> vido x: http://vidox.videopu.waw.pl <br> vieilles mamies super poilues: http://vieillesmamiessuperpoilues.videopu.waw.pl <br> dulce de nues: http://dulcedenues.videopu.waw.pl <br> brazilian transexuel blog: http://braziliantransexuelblog.videopu.waw.pl <br> chaudes blackettes: http://chaudesblackettes.videopu.waw.pl <br> mamans nues: http://mamansnues.videopu.waw.pl <br> blogs copine nue: http://blogscopinenue.videopu.waw.pl <br> le plaisir de porno: http://leplaisirdeporno.videopu.waw.pl <br> x heberg: http://xheberg.videopu.waw.pl <br> belles jeunes femmes noirs nues: http://bellesjeunesfemmesnoirsnues.videopu.waw.pl <br> photo salope latina jeune gros seins: http://photosalopelatinajeunegrosseins.videopu.waw.pl <br>
From: Jovany
Email:
Date: 10 Apr 2008
Time: 08:12:39
Remote Name: 70.87.66.210
Remote User:
ruger 10 22 picture gallerie: http://ruger.ylceobqe.cn/ruger1022picturegallerie.html <br> classy naked women: http://wtjwdozjm.cn/classy/classynakedwomen.html <br> deepthroat gag: http://rytgyysn.cn/deepthroat/deepthroatgag.html <br> lesbian bikini: http://lesbianbikini.kwpmyypo.cn <br> malayalam whores: http://kwpmyypo.cn/malayalam/malayalamwhores.html <br> babes sucking: http://psfzcd.cn/babes/babessucking.html <br> shemale one: http://wtjwdozjm.cn/shemaleone.html <br> herbal breast enlargement: http://otzae.cn/herbalbreastenlargement.html <br> eric inabinet: http://ericinabinet.wtjwdozjm.cn <br> thumbnails labia pic preteen: http://thumbnails.otzae.cn/thumbnailslabiapicpreteen.html <br> female bodybuilder sex: http://female.psfzcd.cn/femalebodybuildersex.html <br> sexy female: http://psfzcd.cn/sexy/sexyfemale.html <br> free outdoor sex: http://freeoutdoorsex.psfzcd.cn <br> breastfeed hubby sex hardcore pics: http://breastfeedhubbysexhardcorepics.otzae.cn <br> indecent proposal: http://indecentproposal.rytgyysn.cn <br> squirting illustrated torrent: http://rytgyysn.cn/squirtingillustratedtorrent.html <br> sexo duro: http://ylceobqe.cn/sexoduro.html <br> tentacle alien hentai: http://tentaclealienhentai.ylceobqe.cn <br> big sweaty bbw bdsm: http://otzae.cn/big/bigsweatybbwbdsm.html <br>
Last changed: April 10, 2008
text version of
navigation bar Help us serve you better. Complete our quick survey.
Send mail to jhasse@jvlnet.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2001 Hasse Communication Counseling. All rights reserved.
From:
Email:
Date: 19 Feb 2008
Time: 02:24:53
Remote Name: 198.54.202.82
Remote User:
http://www.unicef.org/voy/discussions/member.php?u=43261 - Buy Cialis Generic Online http://www.unicef.org/voy/discussions/member.php?u=43263 - Acomplia buy online http://www.unicef.org/voy/discussions/member.php?u=43265 - Buy Levitra Vardenafil Online
