Ask and sometimes you get
Recently I was hired to work as a model for some medical students' anatomy exams. I'm to get my kit off and let the studes point out parts of my torso. Don't yet know whether that will include my breasts, but don't care whether or not I'll keep my bra on. It's paid work in a safe place. Today, this email correspondence with the teacher, who I'll call J.
Dear [secretary] and J
Thank you for hiring me to work as a model on [date]... please could you confirm that the venue is wheelchair accessible? And tell me where it is?
Best wishes
Sam
Dear Sam,
Thank you for offering to help out with the exam. As you have enquired about wheelchair access, can I assume you are a wheelchair user? If so, unfortunately it would not be appropriate for you to be a model as the students have not been given this training as yet.
Thanks again for offering to help.
Best wishes,
J
Dear J
Yes, I use a wheelchair. Do let me know if you require models again.
Sam
Dear J
A few minutes after reading your email, I'd like to ask why you decided not to hire me. You didn't ask what my disability involves. I could have been without a leg or something.
This exam is to be about the torso. In fact, even if it had been about the legs I could have modeled for it. I wouldn't ask the students to move my wheelchair about and if that were necessary (eg in a fire emergency), I could easily explain how to do it.
I think you've made your decision already but I'm going to use the word 'discrimination'. These students are studying medicine, aren't they? Even more than other people, they'll need to get past any fear of disability.
Best wishes
Sam
Dear Sam,
I am very sorry if I have offended you in any way, but I wanted to avoid asking you personal questions about your circumstances.
If you are able to move from a sitting position to recline on a bench and remove your t-shirt to expose your rib cage for a chest and abdomen examination in a timely fashion then you are more than welcome to model.
In an attempt to not pry on your personal circumstances I have inadvertently offended you. Please accept my apologies.
Best wishes,
J
Dear J
Thank you for this thoughtful response. I didn't expect it!
Yes I can transfer onto a bench. May need to hold onto furniture or my wheelchair to help me get there. Walking without sticks would be another matter, but you're not asking for that.
It's good of you not to pry. Since the subject's come up: I have multiple sclerosis. When demonstrating to medical students on [another academic's] module I sometimes remark that in due course, I'll be glad to see them in clinic.
I'll see you on [date]. Where and when shall I report for work?
Best, Sam
Since this correspondence I've learned that a good friend of mine used to share an office with J! So I have insider goss, which I won't repeat on this public forum. What I'll say is that this friend, and my partner, are horrified that I got sacked for being a crip. So am I! But I asserted myself and got the job back.
Dear [secretary] and J
Thank you for hiring me to work as a model on [date]... please could you confirm that the venue is wheelchair accessible? And tell me where it is?
Best wishes
Sam
Dear Sam,
Thank you for offering to help out with the exam. As you have enquired about wheelchair access, can I assume you are a wheelchair user? If so, unfortunately it would not be appropriate for you to be a model as the students have not been given this training as yet.
Thanks again for offering to help.
Best wishes,
J
Dear J
Yes, I use a wheelchair. Do let me know if you require models again.
Sam
Dear J
A few minutes after reading your email, I'd like to ask why you decided not to hire me. You didn't ask what my disability involves. I could have been without a leg or something.
This exam is to be about the torso. In fact, even if it had been about the legs I could have modeled for it. I wouldn't ask the students to move my wheelchair about and if that were necessary (eg in a fire emergency), I could easily explain how to do it.
I think you've made your decision already but I'm going to use the word 'discrimination'. These students are studying medicine, aren't they? Even more than other people, they'll need to get past any fear of disability.
Best wishes
Sam
Dear Sam,
I am very sorry if I have offended you in any way, but I wanted to avoid asking you personal questions about your circumstances.
If you are able to move from a sitting position to recline on a bench and remove your t-shirt to expose your rib cage for a chest and abdomen examination in a timely fashion then you are more than welcome to model.
In an attempt to not pry on your personal circumstances I have inadvertently offended you. Please accept my apologies.
Best wishes,
J
Dear J
Thank you for this thoughtful response. I didn't expect it!
Yes I can transfer onto a bench. May need to hold onto furniture or my wheelchair to help me get there. Walking without sticks would be another matter, but you're not asking for that.
It's good of you not to pry. Since the subject's come up: I have multiple sclerosis. When demonstrating to medical students on [another academic's] module I sometimes remark that in due course, I'll be glad to see them in clinic.
I'll see you on [date]. Where and when shall I report for work?
Best, Sam
Since this correspondence I've learned that a good friend of mine used to share an office with J! So I have insider goss, which I won't repeat on this public forum. What I'll say is that this friend, and my partner, are horrified that I got sacked for being a crip. So am I! But I asserted myself and got the job back.