Comments on: How my friend copes with her disability at work http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/09/13/how-my-friend-copes-with-her-disability-at-work/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:09:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Mayzee http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/09/13/how-my-friend-copes-with-her-disability-at-work/#comment-88396 Mayzee Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:45:37 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/09/13/how-my-friend-copes-with-her-disability-at-work/#comment-88396 I applaud Ann for her tenacity. I too have a number of friends who cope with disabilities and flourish. One was born with severe cerebral palsy. I have known him since kindergarten. He never felt sorry for himself, but excelled in school and became a wonderful sportswriter, even though he will never run, walk or throw a ball. There are also some of us (and I am in this category) who have invisible disabilities and can be very misunderstood and self deprecating. People often say, "You look so strong and healthy." And I smile and don't tell them that I feel like I may faint standing right there in front of them. I have a seizure disorder complicated by severe chronic anaemia. The anaemia temporarily improves, but never completely leaves and I will be on medication for life. People often don't understand that you are an 8 cylinder car running on 4 cylinders, but you cope and do the best you can, and try not to kick yourself when you're down and so exhausted that you think you might drop dead on the spot... right there in the mall/office/bus/checkout line. These invisible disabilities should also be discussed at some point. They add a different element to the topic. I applaud Ann for her tenacity. I too have a number of friends who cope with disabilities and flourish. One was born with severe cerebral palsy. I have known him since kindergarten. He never felt sorry for himself, but excelled in school and became a wonderful sportswriter, even though he will never run, walk or throw a ball.

There are also some of us (and I am in this category) who have invisible disabilities and can be very misunderstood and self deprecating. People often say, “You look so strong and healthy.” And I smile and don’t tell them that I feel like I may faint standing right there in front of them. I have a seizure disorder complicated by severe chronic anaemia. The anaemia temporarily improves, but never completely leaves and I will be on medication for life.

People often don’t understand that you are an 8 cylinder car running on 4 cylinders, but you cope and do the best you can, and try not to kick yourself when you’re down and so exhausted that you think you might drop dead on the spot… right there in the mall/office/bus/checkout line.

These invisible disabilities should also be discussed at some point. They add a different element to the topic.

]]> By: Lisa http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/09/13/how-my-friend-copes-with-her-disability-at-work/#comment-1008 Lisa Mon, 25 Sep 2006 03:59:16 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/09/13/how-my-friend-copes-with-her-disability-at-work/#comment-1008 This is very interesting about Ann. I commend her. I would not do as well with a disability...I'm pretty sure of that. The book, "Waist High in the World. Life Among the Nondisabled" gives great perspective into living with a disability. I think that the power of technology (assistive devices, connecting people with similar experiences, and more) provides amazing opportunities for those with disabilities though. Another interesting area to explore. This is very interesting about Ann. I commend her. I would not do as well with a disability…I’m pretty sure of that. The book, “Waist High in the World. Life Among the Nondisabled” gives great perspective into living with a disability. I think that the power of technology (assistive devices, connecting people with similar experiences, and more) provides amazing opportunities for those with disabilities though. Another interesting area to explore.

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