Re: [ROSKAPOSTI] Re: about me/Taya

[Guest guest]

Hi Alana,

I don't think I faced many barriers. Perhaps one challenge was that when I was

thinking which subjects to study in the university, I chose languages because I

liked them and because I thought translating is a job you can do from your home

and which then is a good job for someone who is disabled. But as I got older, I

realized that working in my home was definitely NOT something I wanted to do.

I am far too social and I need to be with people - I would get totally bored if

I had to stay at home the whole day.

My volunteer jobs in various disability organizations (in the independent living

movement and elsewhere) led me into paid employment and eventually into what I

really enjoy doing. I work in an international environment where I still can use

the language skills that I have. And other skills needed in my work I have

somehow acquired on the way or through 'learning by doing'.

One important thing is to build a network of friends and acquaintances. I have

never really applied for the jobs that I had - I've always happened to know

someone who recommended or asked me to come and work somewhere.

And regarding sexism, maybe some things are different up here. I have been

discriminated against in many situations because of my disability - me being a

woman has been far less of an issue.

I just keep fingers and toes crossed that my health remains as stable as it has

been. Slow decline, but very slow. My goal is to retire of old age at 65.

That would be an achievement for somebody with SMA.

this has been my experience

Taya

[ROSKAPOSTI] Re: about me/Taya

Taya,

I haven't met many folks who took the path I did. It's neat to hear

your experiences. What was your greatest barriers? What has been

most important in your successes?

I keep being surprised by sexism in the disability rights movement in

America. Though, on the flip side, I have been incredibly supported

by a few women in leadership positions. Though, now my biggest

barrier is my own health...The first barrier I don't really know how

to address.

Yours,

Alana

>

> Hi All,

>

> I just wanted to say that I began working much in the same way that

Alana describes below. As a teenager, my summers were lousy because I

couldn't do babysitting or cleaning or whatever other girls of my age