Here's a little overview of me: On the inside and to those who know me...I'm educated, perceptive, knowledgeable, and friendly. But to people that have never met me before and see a woman sitting on a walker working at a grocery store, they think I am a consumer of an agency for persons with disabilities, because this person may run events for such an agency: f someone with a disability is bagging for me, they think "Oh there's a program that get's people jobs, how wonderful." (actual paraphrased comment from someone.) But here's the truth:
I do not have a job coach. I did not get this job thru an agency; far from the truth. I got my job at 16 in 1999 when someone was having people fill out applications. I figured Hey, I'll try it, what the heck. I didn't use a walker then, but I still had CP, of course. I was a kid who liked having her own money and enjoyed relating to people, and fought for acceptance. I knew how things should be and if something was wrong if I felt misunderstood, I communicated my concerns. I kept trying. Co-workers weren't always nice. Customers didn't understand. There was no advocate between myself and the store, just myself. Eventually as I opened up, I gained trust in some co-workers that helped me.
I stayed with the company thru high school and college, then left for graduate school, but found myself needing money and drifting in life between my internship and the start of student teaching. I called the store after applying online. I had an interviewed and was rehired, this time, I sat down when ringing.
I am sure there are more people with disabilities without job coaches. The assumption can't always be true that walker=agency, though I might use an agency to help advance my career. Maybe a person with a disability just took a chance. I am not a product of your agency's work, though your agency shows greatness throughout the community. What I ask is that society consider that I am a product of my own determination.
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