Employment Law Entry 11
This is going to be a tough entry, namely, because I have other issues on my mind. To be blunt, I’m PO’ed.
Regardless, one of today’s articles was over disability discrimination. I don’t want to (nor am I supposed to) recount the article. It was about a legally blind person, who excelled at running, yet was denied scholarships and ended up losing jobs when someone found out he was blind. This guy could fly, too. His mile run time was 4 minutes and 20+ seconds. That’s really booking it.
It’s hard to imagine anyone not wanting this guy on their track team, whether he was blind or not. I think, like other forms of discrimination, it all stems from our own insecurities. We like to extend our own perceived limitations on others because we feel less capable when someone can do something we can’t. I can’t imagine losing my sight. I have perfect vision, and I can’t help but bump into random objects. I definitely can’t run a mile in four-and-a-half minutes. When I hear of someone like this person, I’m in awe. However, a part of me becomes insecure. My body functions perfectly, how come I can’t run a four-and-a-half mile? Maybe disabled persons are able to accomplish such great things because of their handicaps. When you’re afflicted with something like blindness or paralysis, you can either let it destroy you or you can become that much more dedicated and focused. When you strive to accomplish something, you have that much more purpose spurring you on. Interestingly enough, last week we learned that persons with disabilities have better work attendance and performance records than their non disabled counterparts. Coincidence?
There’s a young man in the wrestling club here who has no arms or legs. Not only is he on the wrestling club, but he’s good. He’s real good. He also has black belts in three different martial arts. I’m spoiled. I couldn’t imagine doing anything if I didn’t have my arms or legs. I definitely wouldn’t have guessed that he was state champion wrestler having only seen him. Of course, why couldn’t he be a state champion wrestler? He’s definitely proven that to be the case. Perhaps we don’t know how much strength we have until really need it.
Regardless, one of today’s articles was over disability discrimination. I don’t want to (nor am I supposed to) recount the article. It was about a legally blind person, who excelled at running, yet was denied scholarships and ended up losing jobs when someone found out he was blind. This guy could fly, too. His mile run time was 4 minutes and 20+ seconds. That’s really booking it.
It’s hard to imagine anyone not wanting this guy on their track team, whether he was blind or not. I think, like other forms of discrimination, it all stems from our own insecurities. We like to extend our own perceived limitations on others because we feel less capable when someone can do something we can’t. I can’t imagine losing my sight. I have perfect vision, and I can’t help but bump into random objects. I definitely can’t run a mile in four-and-a-half minutes. When I hear of someone like this person, I’m in awe. However, a part of me becomes insecure. My body functions perfectly, how come I can’t run a four-and-a-half mile? Maybe disabled persons are able to accomplish such great things because of their handicaps. When you’re afflicted with something like blindness or paralysis, you can either let it destroy you or you can become that much more dedicated and focused. When you strive to accomplish something, you have that much more purpose spurring you on. Interestingly enough, last week we learned that persons with disabilities have better work attendance and performance records than their non disabled counterparts. Coincidence?
There’s a young man in the wrestling club here who has no arms or legs. Not only is he on the wrestling club, but he’s good. He’s real good. He also has black belts in three different martial arts. I’m spoiled. I couldn’t imagine doing anything if I didn’t have my arms or legs. I definitely wouldn’t have guessed that he was state champion wrestler having only seen him. Of course, why couldn’t he be a state champion wrestler? He’s definitely proven that to be the case. Perhaps we don’t know how much strength we have until really need it.