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November 20, 2007
What I’m Thankful For
Here are 10 things for which I’m thankful during this Thanksgiving 2007 in the U.S.
- I’m thankful for the co-worker who calls me by my last name (an indication he has accepted me as just “one of the guys,” despite my disability).
- I’m thankful for the hiring manager who tells me, “Bob has been with us five years. Like you, he has a disability -- and has worked out fine for us. Now, what do you believe you can do for us in this job?”
- I’m thankful for the ADA. In my travels, I’ve found the Americans with Disabilities Act has made the U.S. one of the most disability friendly countries in the world in terms of curb cuts, convenient parking, transportation options, doorway accessibility and elevator access.
- I’m thankful for the recent Towers Perrin survey which shows only 29 percent of workers in the U.S. are “engaged” on the job (ready to expend some extra effort at work). Since higher “engagement” translates into lower turnover rate, I can target companies with low turnover rates (and probably better management), showing them how managing my disability has taught me how to apply perseverance and dedication to a worthwhile team effort.
- I’m thankful for job candidates who are so dedicated to carrying out their personal branding that life becomes a self-centered, plastic “campaign” for them. That just opens up more opportunities for me to show my authenticity. I look forward to getting beyond myself and grappling with give-and-take circumstances under which I can help lead others to a common good.
- I’m thankful for the orientation of my nieces and nephews, all of whom are "millennials," those born between 1980 and 1995 and now entering the workforce. To reduce job hopping within this generation, employers are providing “accommodations” for them --- costly adjustments in the traditional business routine which should, I would think, take the “accommodations” issue off the table as a concern when employers consider hiring a person with a disability.
- I’m thankful for my employers over the years. They did not overlook 13 percent of the U.S. labor market. In 2006, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of working-age people with a disability ages 21 to 64 in the U.S. was 12.9 percent. That means more than 22 million of the almost 173 million working-age individuals in the U.S. have one or more disabilities.
- I’m thankful for interesting individuals I’ve met through eSight. Jo, for example, wrote last week: “I've asked around. I know from blogs, networking, friends, newsletters and the like that the hiring manager likes sports, enjoys good food. This information helps me … ‘achieve chemistry’ so I can get that next interview. My eye is on the prize -- not on (my disability), which disappears with authenticity and good presentation.”
- I’m thankful for the expected labor shortages when baby boomer retire. 10 occupations have been cited by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as those most likely to be affected: secretaries; heavy truck drivers; elementary school teachers; janitors and cleaners; secondary school teachers; registered nurses; bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks; college and university teachers; educational and other administrators; and farmers. That means I can target the industries most likely to be affected: educational services, public administration, transportation, and health services.
- I’m thankful for my parents who gave their son with a disability the foundation to gain an education and build a career -- key steps in my ability to live independently.
Now, it’s your turn.
What one thing ignites gratitude in you during this Thanksgiving holiday?
Add your comments to this posting
Posted by Jim Hasse at November 20, 2007 03:42 PM
Comments
1. I am greatful for my parents who demonstrated kindness to others, and taught me to do the same. 2. I am greatful to my parents who had a desire to educate their children. 3. I am greatful to my last driver, a good friend also, for the time we spent. 4. I am greatful to and for my children, who were raised by a newly disabled father,and loved me nonetheless, and do the same for others.
5. I am greatful to my sisters' and friends for the love they show me.
Posted by: Christopher J. Leu at November 21, 2007 04:39 PM
I give "Thanks" for the recognition provided me by the White House that enables me to be a Presidential Appointee/Public Member of the U.S. Access Board. During my five year tenure, I have met many individuals within the disability community that have enhanced my understanding of the dynamic that propels so many of us to strive to develop the best in us. James J. Elekes, M.Ed, MPA, CPM
Posted by: Jim Elekes at November 21, 2007 07:14 PM
Hi everyone,
I like this subject a lot.
A lot of things ignite gratitude in me. I would have to say the following two are the most important to me.
I am grateful I became completely blind in the age of technology that allows me to continue to work as a blind person and be as productive as I was when I had eyesight. Took a lot of retraining; but was well worth the effort.
I am also very grateful to my wife Kathy, family, friends and network of business relationships. These people believed in me and supported me during the hard times and celebrate successes in the good times. I talk a little about what family and friends mean to me in a story I call "Share Your Time – Pick Out a Pumpkin".
I am very much looking forward to reading what others are grateful for.
Bill Tipton
Posted by: Bill Tipton at November 21, 2007 10:33 PM
I'm Canadian and we celebrated our Thanksgiving the same time as you in the US celebrated Columbus Day, however I will tell you what I am grateful for.
I'm grateful to the American opthamologist who took on my case when the Canadian opthamologists told my parents to just institutionalize me and forget about me, George Guibor of Ottawa Ill is as responsible for me being here as are my parents. He provided me the opportunity to get a good education, despite the setbacks which made me stronger. He died when I was 12. I would have liked him to see me graduate from university, teach school and become a journalist.
I'm grateful for living in a province, Ontario, that has appointed a man with a physical disability, polio as our Lierutent Governor , David Onley, as perhaps he can put a face to disability in Ontario as well asa voice so that will help make people understand about disabled perople that they are just like everyone else and deserve the same kind of dignity and respect and acceptance.
I'm grateful to my family and friends, including Jim, Nancy, Nan and Marten and all the others who have worked at eSight over the years for the support and the encouragement and opportunities they've provided me .
I'm grateful to Robert W. Fuller for giving us permission to use the quotations for our book and writing the epilogue as well as asking me to write a piece for his new book on the invisibility of disabled people in North American society and for teaching me that dignity is non -negotiable , inviolate and innate to us all, no matter what our status is in life.
And finally I'm grateful that I live relatively well compared to alot of other non developed countries. My water is clean, I have a safe place to live that's warm and secure. I have food in my pantry and frig. I have freedom to think and say the thoughts I want to say or write about without living in fear of retribution or having a gun pointed at my head because I don't believe or think or act like another person or that government or kingdom.
Happy thanksgiving all.
Posted by: Liz at November 22, 2007 11:16 AM
For a few fluries of light snow, for the ability to post to a blog, for the service I will render to a group of homeless and hungry people, I give thanks. For the relationship with my German shepherd, Cookie and for the kind invitation to feast on more than turkey, I am sincerely thankful. For a deep and abiding faith which has taught me that receiving is as much a blessing as giving, I give thanks and I hear the "You are welcome" echoing back through those on those shoulders I stand.
Posted by: Jo Taliaferro at November 22, 2007 11:48 AM
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Here's hoping those of you in the States have a wonderful and yummy Turkey Day. Here's what I am thankful for. I am thankful, first and foremost, for a wonderful family who loves and cares about me. Also for a God who loves all of us no matter what our status in life. I am also thankful for friends and neighbors who care about and accept me into their circle, despite my visual impairment. I'm thankful for all this adaptive technology, such as screen readers which I've used for several years now and find to be very good. Last but certainly not least, I am thankful for the administrative assistant position with Center for Independent Futures which I was interviewed for and subsequently got hired. Although this is only a part-time position and I don't get paid as much as some jobs pay, I really enjoy it and I hope I can eventually put in more hours there.
Posted by: Jake at November 22, 2007 04:20 PM
Congratulations, Jake, on your new job! I know it's been a long time coming, but you did it!
Jim
Posted by: Jim Hasse at November 26, 2007 10:29 AM
I missed this before Thanksgiving - I simply had too much going on!
However, with that said, I'm very thankful I had the opportunity to participate in this class (even if I dropped the ball a couple of times). It has been quite a learning experience for me, as I've never participated in anything like it before.
I was able to discover things about myself during this class that I never would have otherwise.
I remain constantly thankful for the fact that while my vision continues to deteriorate that at this point, I can still maintain a career without a lot of the issues that others with my condition face, and that I am able to continue my volunteer work with the Lions, the number 1 organization fighting preventable blindness.
Posted by: Doreen at November 27, 2007 04:35 PM