I think a common misconception about people with disabilities is that they don’t work. There are some people that just can’t. There are people that choose not to. And there there are those of us who can and do have jobs and careers.
Believe it or not, I have had the opportunity - although rare - to run across random strangers who follow up their questions about my disability with a comment like, “wow, you’re lucky. You must have a lot of money.”
Fucking crazy, right?
First of all, let me assure you: even if I had a bazillion dollars, I would not consider myself ‘lucky’ to have had the misfortune of losing the use of half of my body in exchange for some cold, hard, cash.
Secondly, people can be really fucking dumb.
Being that I do not in fact have a bazillion dollars, I have always had a job or worked for as long as I can remember. I have even had the opportunity to open some of my own businesses over the years - working alongside my husband as a partner for some.
I have full use of my brain (unlike the above mentioned morons) and so I choose to use it. I like to feel useful and I enjoy being creative and productive. I think working and being a productive member of society also helps me personally feel more “normal”. I don’t think I’ve ever been the kind of person who can just sit around - I don’t know how to be bored - it’s not in my nature.
My body is another story - as working in a somewhat more physical job right now is much more difficult than it used to be. I spent years working in restaurants, delis, and catering which involved a great deal of ‘running around’ but it didn’t require the amount of bending and lifting I have been doing over the last couple of years and I hate to admit it, but between my disability and my age, it’s fucking hard, yo.
I’m glad I have the ability and the opportunity to do what I do and I plan to continue as long as I can - or until the next opportunity arises 🙂 I love having the chance to meet people every week with what I do now and how you never know what the day will bring.
So I guess in many ways, I am lucky
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