Our disability might be invisible to others we interact with. Only this disability is real to those of us living with it.
My memoir Left of the Dial detailed in graphic fashion what happened to me. It was an unusual story that I wanted to tell to give others hope for having a life of your own design.
Ever since I started in 2002 my pro bono Advocate work I’ve been met with resistance. Outsiders and even mental health professionals claimed that recovery was not possible at all.
Setting the bar too high as to what constitutes recovery is something I’ve always been against.
Having competitive employment should not be the barometer used to judge a person living in recovery.
As a professional librarian with a Masters’ degree I’ve seen firsthand that anyone with a pulse can get a job.
As an ambitious individual I can tell you this: wherever you’re employed there’s always going to be a slacker who doesn’t do any work or does the bare minimum.
A coworker might be rude and hostile too and they don’t have a mental illness.
This points to the fact that no one should feel guilty and ashamed for having a disability whether invisible or out in plain sight.
I write blog entries and books and do public speaking to educate empower and entertain my target market of individuals living in recovery.
As a librarian I have a niche in helping customers craft resumes and conduct job searches.
My goal was to use my experience to help people in recovery find and succeed at having a job you love.
Today numerous different jobs exist that are off the beaten path of careers.
The point is that having a disability doesn’t have to limit a person from getting out there and contributing your talents to the world.
Whether paid or volunteer work the possibilities are beautiful.
If you want to get a job you deserve to try to do this. No one should tell you otherwise.
Individuals living with a disability have gifts, strengths, and abilities that make us assets to employers.
Think positively. It’s 2021–there’s more hope than ever.
WorkingAssets 