Knowledge Base

Is the wheelchair a blessing or a curse? Since my foray into this method of moving about (17 November 1995), I obviously have come to the practical limitations of the ‘chair, often its use, care and feeding (and if things break on the chair, repairs cost $$$).

The upside? Well, I am a ‘quick study’, having to pick up strategies and such on the fly (such as can I get into this building with my wheelchair?).

I would prefer to start with side jobs, simple or not to establish a bit of credibility. What do you need, I can offer this, etc. How to sell your abilities and how to locate these opportunities??

The following is a brief look at my resume describing myself briefly – it ought to sell says I:

“Varied skill set from organizations from manufacturing to consulting to non-profits the areas of:

- Sales administration, including estimating

- Purchasing and inventory management systems experience

- Home accessibility and knowledge

- Writing and editing

- Adaptive equipment consulting”

I know my abilities. I know my limitations. And a need to apply both of these to an income producing organization…

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My last post might sound a bit confusing about various agencies and what might be construed issues of competency. My purpose here is not to slight the non-profit I work (part-time) for a small advocacy non-profit in Connecticut - this being a competent (if underfunded) organization.

I actually meant much of the state government who we work as a contractor for…

Planning my escape - how?

I work for a non-profit who in turn works as a contractor for a State of CT (unnamed) state agency on an (unnamed – yet) project. I would prefer not to name names - although some people I am in contact with know exactly of whom I am referring.

What is annoying is how government as a rule adds zero value to any process. Where time is money, where speed with accuracy results in better outcomes.

Not that this unnamed agency seems to be concerned with outcomes in general are not the main goal – maintaining the flawed process instead. If anyone has been involved in the for-profit world (couldn't be anyone in the state I've dealt with), speed and outcomes matter. I don’t believe anyone involved in the project on the state level ever has…Even working at a non-profit, I have to work with these state people...And I am not knocking those that work for the state per-se, I am just not seeing true efficiency

I need to getaway, to what and how I can’t say. Yeah, at my age (55) and in a wheelchair, conventional employment is out. No whining, the decision makers will be nice about it during the interview, but…I have a mind and a modicum of intelligence. 


How do I plot my getaway???

Knowing when to hold instead of when to fold...

The disabled community is not often of one mind when it comes to bias. After nearly 15 years requiring a wheelchair for ambulation, I generally remain positive about the future despite loss of job, income and other side effects of using a wheelchair. Many disabled persons have this sense of being wronged, complain discrimination - the ubiquitous 'they' have it in for me because I am...y'know, disabled.


Does it exist? Sure. Is that a problem? Depends on your perspective. At my age, perhaps employers wouldn't consider hiring, a wheelchair is equally disdained.

Yet, I have contempt for anybody in this state who reflexively argues that discrimination rules the world. To wit, I need to be prepared for an interview, performed my research, and ready to engage the interviewer. Just like everybody else. The world cannot confer me any special entitlements. Yeah, the 'chair is a problem to some employers. Yet all things being equal, eliminating me from consideration for whatever reason is their right. I may have the quicker thinking reflexes, than the interviewer, but hey, it is their business. Not a decision based on [their lack of] intellectual prowess.

Although I have been considering how to acquire income independently. Forget my legs, my brain is up to the challenge. Do I have the courage to chuck my employ and try? Attention must be paid, so let me see...