susan-
people's ideas of what a disabled person can do is amazing. though they
may see a person in a chair, they may suspect you can walk to some
degree. perhaps during the interview bringing the subject up and openly
discussing the matter gets a lot of 'wondering' on the table.
I used to have job that required me to get around a bldg. I was able to
do it but I messed my back so the last few years I was doing light duty.
they let me go. I have since gotten a power chair and that makes a
difference. perhaps you might look into those items. I can walk unaided
a very short distance but for anything over several feet, I need help.
you might consider these ideas your next time. diane


On 11 Jun 2004 18:15:03 -0000 poliosurvivors@yahoogroups.com writes:
>------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>
>
>There is 1 message in this issue.
>
>Topics in this digest:
>
> 1. I am not a type A
> From: Susan and Doug Case <workamping@...>
>
>
>________________________________________________________________________
>________________________________________________________________________
>
>Message: 1
> Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2004 00:50:34 -0500
> From: Susan and Doug Case <workamping@...>
>Subject: I am not a type A
>
>I can say for sure that I am not a type A (B or C either). I have a
>degree
>and over 25 years experience in accounting, but at the age of 52 and
>in a
>wheelchair, I cannot find work. I do get social sec., but I would
>rather
>work and have been working in campgrounds with my husband the past 3
>years
>- the last assignment was as manager. But then my husband and I
>moved
>back to Texas and I can not find a job - even Goodwill Ind. Who had a
>contract with Randolph AFB would not hire me because of the
>wheelchair. To
>prove my point this week I was hired for an accounting position on
>base - I
>was told that I would have to pick up mail at the hotel that had an
>outside
>lift and if I thought this would be a problem with my scooter - I
>thought
>it would not be and also that I would have to park my scooter and walk
>
>about 2 and half feet to my desk - I said no problem. When I started
>work
>on Tues. I found out that actually they wanted me to park the scooter
>at
>the other end of the building - about 100 feet from the desk and that
>I
>would have to do a lot of walking between the offices (about 20 feet).
> I
>did as they asked and by the end of the day I was hurting. So the
>next day
>I took my manual wheelchair in to use. That is when I was told I was
>to
>come to the office pick up the deposit that it to the officers club,
>then
>take paper work to the main office and then go to the hotel to pick up
>the
>mail and this would be everyday (which meant 5 times of getting the
>scooter
>on and off of the truck - before I even started working!). When I
>hesitated I was also told that I would have to go over to the main
>office
>perhaps 2 or 3 more times each day. I couldn't believe it!!! I told
>them
>that would be too much for me to do with the scooter and the left and
>all
>--their remark was "but we were told you could walk". I am sitting in
>a
>wheelchair, they knew I was using a scooter - but they thought I could
>walk
>anyway - and they meant for then a couple a feet. I kept it together
>long
>enough to quit the job and leave the area before I let the tears come.
>
> Since 1983 when I found out I had PPS and started to use a brace then
>the
>wheelchair, I have not had a job where I could use the wheelchair.
>Even
>though I would go on the job interview in my wheelchair, the question
>was
>always "can you walk?". I would be allowed to park the scooter
>outside the
>building or office, but never allowed to use it. One time I did in
>1995 at
>the PX at Ft. Gillem when I was working in the office and I was called
>into
>the managers office - her statement to me was "your wheelchair scraped
>some
>paint off of my newly painted walls - you did not tell us you had to
>use
>your wheelchair" - I had been interviewed while I was in my
>wheelchair!!!!
>I am not a type A - because I give up the fight!!! This last time was
>
>enough for me. Susan
>
>
>


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