Dear Aunt Silvia,

I am a 28 year old physically handicapped lady. I am a graduate and a teacher by profession. Ever since I graduated I have failed to get myself a job, because everywhere I apply, they call me for interview but upon seeing me in my condition they quickly dismiss me.

What do I do? I need a job to be able to earn a decent living.
Marie Claire

Dear Marie Claire,

Disability is not inability. I have known a few disabled persons who have managed to come thus far in their lives, because someone somewhere gave them an equal opportunity like any other able bodied person. Don’t give up the fight.

As much as you are disabled, you managed to get yourself a university degree, when other able bodied young men and women out here have not managed the feat.

It is a shame that even in today’s world some people can still behave like uneducated lunatics. These people are put in positions to do their jobs and I believe amongst the jobs is to employ people who can perform their duties, and not to overlook disabled people even when they have better qualifications than themselves.

These institutions that you went to should be made known to the public as to how they treated you. It is very unfair for one to judge a person’s ability to perform their duties by merely looking at their disabilities.

Like any other citizen of this country you have a right to be given equal opportunities and so do not let anyone put you down just because you are disabled.

Look at the famous people like Francisco Goya the famous painter was a deaf who went on to paint the famous Spanish paint of the 19th century.

The famous soul provider singer Michael Bolton is deaf in one ear; Steve Wonder is very blind but is a great musician of our time and plays piano too!

The sky is the limit girl, look for that job and never tire until when you get it, and if anyone tries to put you down, give them a piece of your mind –tell them its your brain they are employing and not your legs, then sit there and watch them give you that job! I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

Ends