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May 17, 2005
Dealing With the "Super Crip" Mystique
So far in May, as a "Swimming in the Mainstream" (SiM) blogger, you’ve had a chance to tell how you surprised others in the workplace by rising above the low expectations they had for you and tell how you have used eSight’s resources to create broader opportunities for yourself in today’s work world.
And, last week, we heard from two eSight members with mainstream work experience about how eSight has helped them in managing their careers.
Laura e-mailed us this announcement:
"Starting June 1, I will be Development Officer for the College of Natural Resources at the University of California, Berkeley. As you see from my (attached) resume, I've been in fundraising and non-profits for 20-some years. Much of this work has been for disability-related issues. My new job is totally unrelated to disability, which I am looking forward to.
"…I have been looking for a permanent position for the past year as I continued consulting -- not liking working alone. I found the eSight content on assessing one's strengths, skills, and work style very useful. Also, the articles (about) interviewing were helpful in keeping (me) positive through the process.
"I've used a number of job hunting resources over the years but have never run into one like eSight that deals with the nitty-gritty of being a blind candidate -- guide dog hair, non-verbal communications, and so on. Thanks, and keep up the great work!
Here are snippets of comments "Upstate" posted on this SiM blog:
"…This is not the same nation of 15 years ago. To 'create opportunity' will mean (going) outside of the business organization as (it) exists today…
"Many people have very little interest in (people with disabilities). (The) able-bodied are having a tough time of it themselves, and this trend may continue for many years...
"…My career will be ending in a few years. The job opportunities for near-blind people in their mid-50's will not be there. I must plan a career change now to create opportunities for me to continue to have some income…
"Creating an opportunity may require the disabled to (develop) micro-enterprises, (become) consultants, specialize (as) Internet resellers or (use) other advanced income generators…
"I think the strongest part of this (site) is the understanding that you are not alone. We, as a group, have (barriers) to overcome and situations that must be solved beyond what most people would ever think about. We do have (an) inner style that helps (us) to navigate…
"It is nice to know that I am not alone, (even though) the world may not want us near and do many things to keep us held back. My skills are strong, and my judgment allows me to move forward."
These are sobering but reassuring thoughts. They sparked this week’s two new opportunities for eSight members to further build eSight as a resource for themselves.
The comments by "Upstate" lead to a new Blindstorming issue for this week about how we can best use eSight to help one another find jobs.
And both "Upstate" and Laura extend May’s SiM blog topic about surprising others with what you can do at work. Those surprises or even a smidgen of success in a mainstream job can easily lead to "super crip" stories about you at work -– a context others perhaps use to reconcile your apparent physical disability with your ability to properly apply mainstream work skills.
I cringe every time I hear someone say about me, "Oh, he’s so smart," for instance.
So this week’s SiM discussion question is this:
When have others confused your interest in just working to fulfill your self-defined career goals with their need to view you as a "super crip" who is an "inspiration"? How do you handle that?
Add your comments to this posting
Posted by Jim at May 17, 2005 08:58 PM
Comments
I remember when I was seventeen and a junior in high school and had the opportunity to attend a language camp in Bemidji, Minnesota, as my study emphasis was Spanish. My grades were very good in this subject, and attending this camp was an opportunity to further my education in this area and get college credit. I was the first person with a visual impairment to attend this camp, and the only one at that time. All the campers and counselors were sighted, and they wondered in astonished silence how I could keep up with the curriculum and how I could take care of my personal needs. I had the wonderful support of my resource program at my high school in Reno, Nevada, and my O&M teacher and I flew the long, two-plane trip from Reno to Bemidji, and she stayed with me that first night until I learned my way around the camp and I was assertive in my communication skills, practicing Spanish and demonstrating my manual typewriter, tape recorder and talking watch. It didn't take but a couple days before everyone started looking at me as Natalie, not that poor little blind girl just being here for nothing better to do. I still keep up my Spanish practice and am quite fluent. I'm looking for employment in human services, and in which I can use my Spanish. I like to help people, especially those with visual impairments and other disabilities.
Posted by: Natalie Orrell at May 25, 2005 09:02 PM