Blah, BLah, BLOG
water color of Cannon Beach, 2nd runner up in the Passionate Focus Art Show 2010 In today's world, there is the ever changing technology, vast information from internet and social networking and it is part of who we are today. I am thankful for the technology. If it weren't for computers, I would not have met so many wonderful people, reading about promising treatments and technical aids to help us connect with the world. In order to live our lives to the best of our abilities, we need to be honest with ourselves and to be open about it. I know by personal experiences, it has taken me a long time to tell people that I wear hearing aids and have Retinitis Pigmentosa, especially during my working years. I struggled when working, keeping this secret to myself. Why? I was afraid I would lose my job. I know I'm not alone on thinking this. I'm sure many people keep their disability a secret from their co-workers. It is such a burden on ourselves, and creates so much stress to our daily living. I had told my boss that I was going blind and felt it was too dangerous to carry on with my job and told him that I should resign. Do you know what his response was? He responded by asking me how can the company help me to keep working and offered me a different position. Wow, I was floored by that reaction. I undervalued myself once again. My mother had died 3 months earlier and I was struggling with grief which had clouded my better judgement and stuck with my decision. So, if you are thinking about leaving your job due to your disability, ask yourself, can I continue to work if I had the right tools? Talk to your employer, maybe he/she could help you to make your work environment safer. What do you have to lose? There are programs both private and government can help you to continue to work. You just have to research and network for some answers. Unfortunately, I never knew of such programs and not sure if any was available to me thirteen years ago. There is so much more out there for us now, we have to seek out and find it and sometimes it is hard work to get the things we need, but it is so worth it in the end. I know I can't change what has happened but I can share my experience to help others when you are at this point in your career. Having said all that, I do not regret my decision because it has helped me to be the person I am today. Since I have retired, I became a runner, ran 11 marathons (along with many 1/2 marathons and other distances), done a triathlon, traveled on my own, became an advocate, volunteered in different organizations, became a member of the International Lions, took up kayaking, dragon boating, skiing, yoga, rock climbing, and even entered an art show in Chicago, the list goes on. Life does not end at retirement. This is my journey into blindness. Life is good!
4 Comments
Pranay
3/2/2013 03:56:44 pm
Its good to read that you continued living life full size post retirement..Its true that with the loss of sight all seems gloomy and awful initially but its the sheer grit in you that tells to to continue exploring new dimensions despite all odds..
Reply
Rose
3/4/2013 04:02:17 am
Thank you for your comment Pranay, It is important to me to tell others that we should never undersell ourselves because of our disabilities, rather use it to our advantage. Like educating others what we are capable of and how to fit in the society we live in today.
Reply
Yvonne
3/16/2013 02:06:17 pm
I agree but sometimes I do get sad :(
Reply
Rose
3/20/2013 02:07:11 pm
I know Yvonne, I do too, but its people like you and so many others is what motivates us to keep trying xx
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
January 2018
|