What value do place on improving the lives of those less able ?

Is been a very long time since I've written anything in my blog. As many of you know I'm a musician, songwriter and entertainer. Have spent most of my life pursuing my dream of making a living in music industry. Today at at 53 years old, I still pursue that dream. Having Cerebral Palsy as I've said many times is a hindrance not a disability. The problem for many people with challenges or being differently enabled is not having a challenges that make life a bit more difficult when it comes to choices in many areas; physical, social, academic and vocationally; it is the attitudes of others toward those individuals struggling for a chance to live their lives is equally unencumbered is the average person without any significant life-changing challenges.

We talk as a society with grand gestures instituting federal laws and mandates requiring companies to hire and give equal opportunity to those individuals with developmental challenges, yet the truth of the matter is that human judgment dictates whether or not a person is hired. Companies are in business to make a profit and if hiring a differently enabled individual will cost the employer more money in accommodation and/or time in producing a productive level revenue-generating work effort as opposed to hiring an individual with the same qualifications and without the expense and time in accommodation; common sense tells you who the employer will hire. The employer did allow equal opportunity to a differently enabled job seeker and followed the mandates of the ADA. In the ADA mandate it states; the employer must give reasonable accommodations. Depending on the interpretation of what reasonable accommodation may involve within the mandate it explains that the employer may not be financially burdened as to cause hardship. What is more important in life, making $1 million dollars a year or being able to say "throughout my life, I done the very best I could to treat everyone fairly, honestly for my own sense of well-being."

I remember, many years ago , offered a job and taking a cut in pay because I had difficulty doing certain aspects of the job. Most individuals that I know who are differently enabled do not care that much about money in relation to being given an honest opportunity to contribute and be a part of society and being accepted for what they do not for what they cannot do. I've been unemployed since 2008 due to the incompetence of a chiropractor that is caused irrepairable damage to a few discs in my lower back. I was recently in an interview and unfortunately due to a delay in short-term memory my worker was told basic reason I didn't get a particular job was because I didn't quite memorize all of the and mission statement. To me, this entire attitude is what is wrong with the hiring policies and attitudes of employers in general. In our society here in the US one must be perfect or as close to it as possible, even though I have never met a perfect human being, a perfect worker or a perfect anything. Having said this it is apparent to me that the hiring practices of any corporation, business owner or human resources interviewer is merely subjective and totally open to bias because it is subjective. When always human beings going to learn about compassion, understanding and put an end to discrimination or discriminatory behavior? It is up to the individual to make a difference, to be fair and honest when interviewing and hiring those individuals who don't quite fit into the ideal employee.
 I don't write much in my blogs because very few people respond or give any feedback. I hope those that do read my blogs take away a bit of positive understanding of those individuals who live day in day out on the fringes of society and in the work world.Most individuals have little idea of what cerebral palsy Cerebral Palsy is let alone how many areas it can affect ,most professionals in  healthcare , social services and disability organizations have only a broad generalization of delays and co-occurring disorders associated with Cerebral Palsy. So when you are feeling empathetic and wanting to help level the playing field for those individuals differently enabled, wanting to be given a chance put yourself in a position mentally "if this were me how what I want to be treated ? "If you answer this honestly, more individuals with disabilities would be given a chance. "Never give in, never give up, Believe in your dreams and your dreams shall become you ."

I wonder why?

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like, if you suddenly lost your ability's or became less able?How would you cope with relearning life skills,social interactions and most importantly with loss and your sense of self esteem?
In our society,we herald achievement,the best athletes,the brightest minds.We teach our children to excel;to be the best however in doing that we also forget t...hose who are "differently abled"We segregate with good intentions;specialized education,subsidized work programs.We try to ease our collective conscience by "stop gap" Policies(ADA=american disabilities act)which basically states all disabled people are to be given equal access to jobs,and physical access and reasonable accomadation as given to the average general pupulation.
As many of you know I am differently abled.I was born with a slight degree of Spastic Cerebral Palsy.I have struggled throughout my life with attaining gainful employment.I also have a learning problem-cognitive delays in processingand retrieving information.
I have an AA degree in Social services from Canada and am working on my AODS and human services degree at Santa Rosa Junior College.I have been looking for work for appox.3 + months. applying to social services agencies in the disabilities field and also other similar fields-AODS. I have had no luck.
I am writing this post more to enlighten those of you who work in HR and human services to re think or become more cognitively aware of those of us who are differently abled a chance.If a potential employee is interviewed and you become aware that he or she is on SSI or in my case mention I have a slight degree of Cerebral Palsy and your Org.specifically is mandated to help those differently abled procure empolyment,then reach out and go beyond and help that individual become all he or can be!That is truly following the purpose of your proffession!See More

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The annoying facts of having a disability.

After 50 years of struggling physically, mentally and vocationally with the inconvenience of being born with Cerebral Palsy, I've come to this conclusion: My condition physically has only limited my options as far as a vocation however, it is not limited my determination to break social barriers placed upon those individuals afflicted with disabilities or for a more appropriate word "challenges". Unfortunately, our society is built upon "only the fit need apply". In our advertising we see hundreds of ads promoting beauty, athleticism, power and control and an attitude of the masses. "The man with the most toys wins!" Is this what we really want our society to embrace?
It depends on what side of the fence you're on. I have witnessed through my life,insensitivity  and on the other extreme, deep-seated understanding and compassion by those individuals who have held me in their arms as I sat crying ; because I did not understand the social etiquette one learns the proper role modeling at a very young age, having been adopted later in life, these social tools I finally learned. I laugh many times when I read about a new breakthrough in the field of disabilities or new laws, such as the new amendments to the ADA program. Most of the laws written within the ADA concerning employment has little enforcement ability . This can be seen just in human nature and the ideology that our country and society adopt "being the best". How can an employer. Not be discriminatory; if it costs him: money, time and most of all thinking and accommodating a disabled or challenged employee when he can hire a more able-bodied or "more perfect" individual who he doesn't have to worry about in any way, shape or form , bottom line; it is cost-effective and that is what our society has been raised to believe and act on. Even when our laws on
employment discrimination.state:  A company may not discriminate on the basis. Of: Race,Creed, Ethnicity, Sex, Religion, Sexual Orientation or Disability.We have all seen the acronym : EOE on the job applications we fill out or when  applying for. Most anything in this day and age basically protecting The company or agency from any  any legal action. As long as you were given the opportunity to apply,the company has  fulfilled its legal obligation to the ADA mandate. I am not saying , that all employers don't hire disabled or challenged , there are many who see the benefit of being , compassionate and human . What I would like to see in our society is more understanding by employers and agencies in thinking "outside the box". I Had a employer once who had hired me as a dishwasher, I worked four days doing my best I remember hearing about how he fired people so easily. I thought for sure wouldn't last 1day ! at the end of the fourth day of my shift . He kept coming in and out of the dish room looking at me and then walking out. I finally asked him straight out I know you want to talk to me and I appreciate that you gave me a shot!
He knew, that I knew what he had to do... I never saw someone  who had a reputation. of being such a callous employer agonize over firing me... I even saw this big man.... Wipe away a tear... I had no job and shortly, no place to live...This gentleman. within the next three days ; created a job especially for me. I worked for him 2 years until he hired a "Biker" manager who fired key people to get his own friends jobs.This story is true and an exception to the rule.
 Good employees whether they be able-bodied or challenged need to be given a chance , everyone has a hidden challenge or a deficit and may not fit into exact job specifications but nonetheless should be given a chance to show an employer his or her her strengths.I firmly believe if any individual were placed into a situation  where they had to relearn or how accommodations due to to newly acquired challenge they would quickly learn  and become more sensitive to the frustrations of many "challenged" people trying to compete in a job market that doesn't promote sustainable, gainful employment for people with developmental and/or congenital disabilities. as I say:" Music is my dream :  Cerebral Palsy is just an inconvenience".

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Never forget how precious friendship is

I have recently found one of  my dearest friends has tragically died this month  on April,13th.MY FRIEND and I lost contact over the  years.I have been trying to re- connect with her, using  her maiden name and then her married name.All this was done and searched through the Internet to no avail.I was just  on the Internet just typed in  her  name Nancy Lowe and up came article on her death,under the name Nancy Lowe Bullock.At first I thought it was a Different person ,the further I read, it mentioned her home town and then her school  and  post secondary education.I began to cry,I had  lost a friend who had helped me graduate from high school and  had also helped  me get  into Laverne University.Nancy was and is my Angel.The reason her passing hit me so hard is because even though we had not been in recent contact,I remember Friday the 13th feeling very out of sorts as if there was unfinished business to do.I realize she was a special gift to many people and now had been called home having completed her calling by God here on earth.

The newspaper report from Santa Barbara said she  died tragically and suddenly.Yet  there is no description given as to cause.I understand now how important staying in contact with those important to you.I also know that those people who are truly your friends are always with you in memory and thoughts. Nancy will always be my Angel deep  down  in  my soul.She from the first day we met Understood me as a person without any reservations as to my having a disability and very little self confidence.Nancy built  me up and made me feel alive.I believe, I was in love with her not romantically but more spiritually.She taught me many things; how to write an essay and how to believe in my strengths.
So when your thinking about your friends don't forget how quickly life changes and  in the blink of an eye those close to you can be die.Stay close and don't be afraid to tell them you love them.I found this out far too late.My faith however knows that Nancy is looking down and watching over those of us she touched through the years with  that tender smile and soft gentleness. Remember to embrace life and those around you.Life  and love can be short if not lived to the fullest.

. Look to your left and right to appreciate what you have

It was at a music show last Thursdaymany of the speakers and artists spoke about their lives. Many of the stories were of abuse and horrifying relationships and addictions far more Traumatic than mine. Even though my early childhood was foster care in a number of homes and dealing internally with cerebral palsy and the uncertainty of my familial security, I did okay.Today, at 53 I live a life very different than I had planned. I struggle every day with pain from degeneration and scoliosis to my spine. However, I walk and still drive my Jeep Laredo. So many others around me I see have no no place to live. My music keeps me alive mentally. Soon I hope to be on the road playing with Lou Watson, who just signed with TMG music group. When you feel the hardships of life and you feel as though you can't go on and nothing seems to be positive. Look around you you don't have to look very far to see someone far worse off than you or you hear tragic stories like I heard this last Thursday and you begin to really appreciate what you have and the negative things that come up aren't really that big. My financial picture is fairly bleak. However, it will improve step-by-step, day by day. I count the blessings of family, a roof over my head and every now and then I can go out and have a cheeseburger at McDonald When you feel as if you can't go on a life sucks because you don't have something, stop and think about the things you do have, a job, family and a home. Many of us take those things for granted. Having a disability such as  cerebral palsy makes it harder  in the employment area because it narrows the possibilities then the average average job seeker .I still can work and hopefully soon in  my chosen field  of music."Never give in or up on your dreams"