Anna Works

It has been 3, going on 31 years since I first started my job. I suppose I can't truly say that I was "working" over three decades ago as I was not engaging in paid employment as a toddler. But, everything I did in the years that led up to my big job opportunity prepared me for what was to come.

We all know that finding the right job means facing a long and winding road that can have many confusing twists and turns. What we fail to remember, however, is that the first day on the job is not the beginning… and there is still a long road ahead. Finding a job and keeping a job requires stability and consistency – this is not something that comes overnight. The time it takes to get to that exciting job offer can be much more than expected at times. It is natural to be frustrated by the process and even more understandable when anxiety shoots sky high at the idea of a real opportunity, a real shot. This is something I experienced and continue to experience with my clients.

The key is that what is so frustrating should also be a source of calm: nothing happens in a day. Every time I put out a job application, approached an interview, or put myself out there for an employer, I was learning and growing in my employment skills. What I learned about myself while in school and during my job search has been the most valuable set of tools I have in my job. Knowing myself, how I can best execute my work, and the ways I can effectively serve the organization is the focus I need to maintain.

How to make a springboard, or opportunity, out of a brick wall. That, I have decided, is what my life is trying to teach me. 

I woke up this morning to a series of text messages from one of the most loyal and trusted members of Team Anna. (We will call her "Jasmine.") To summarize, Jasmine  said, "I'm having a crisis, I can't come in tonight, I hope your mom will be there to take care of you."

I find myself facing moments like this more than I like to admit. Because I am impaired physically, my level of independence is directly affected by two things, 1) technology and 2) other people, both of which are less than predictable.

My relationship with technology can be filed under IT'S COMPLICATED. While I'm extremely fortunate to have a machine that helps me breathe when I'm sleeping or a chair that uses its fancy motor skills to get me where I need to go…when one of these miracle devices has a "crisis" of their own, I'm ill-equipped to know how to handle it. The areas in which I most excel aren't useful. I can't reason with it. I can't talk through its issues until we come to a mutual understanding. Therefore, I usually resort to empty threats of violence.

With people, on the other hand, I have a better report. Many individuals have made their way through my rotation of caregivers, and over time, I have slowly developed a solid support system. This has been a learning process, and through it I know that even the most dependable employee has moments of crisis, illness, family drama, car issues, etc. All of these unexpected elements can cause a hiccup in my plans. If the person is willing, we can discuss the problem at hand and almost always come up with a solution that is beneficial to everyone involved. (If you want to know how a solid foundation of staffing is formed … as well as personal confidence as a leader … this is a crucial step.) And at the end of it all, we come to understand each other's needs better than before. Because truly, we TAKE CARE OF ONE ANOTHER. It goes both ways. Balance is key for any operation to be successful. 

For every one of us, when it is time to take a step forward (apply for a new job, buy a house, launch a business, start a family), we will need the help of others. Those who care about you will need to be behind you. Even when the people in your life seem to be causing more complications than anything else, I am certain you are getting something out of the experience that will allow you to be a better you.

For me, it seems that Jasmine and I are due for a good conversation about expectations and protocol. In the meantime, I took advantage of the quiet evening to devote some much-needed time on side projects I have been working on.

With the untimely passing of Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary Kitty Rhoades, my thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family. 

SNAPSHOT. With a backdrop of 100 billion stars in a universe made up of 10 trillion galaxies, I feel the wind of seven billion people moving around me. I cannot speak of other times, but in the world of today, it can be hard to feel significant. Searching for significance may leave you empty handed every time. Discovering what you value and putting all of your energy into it, this is where you will find yourself on a fulfilling path. Autonomy and the right to be heard. Two separate ideas that often go hand-in-hand. When it comes to my own health and well-being, I am the best expert. The ability to govern my day is something that I value greatly. For people with disabilities, autonomy is a novel idea that can be much harder to put into practice. Access to the publicly funded programs that provide many individuals with the support they need to live healthy and fully in the community require routine assessments to redetermine whether the funding being used is continually needed. Such assessments help with reducing improper use of government funds, but having an outside party evaluate the support one needs can also create vast restrictions in terms of personal choice for the participant. The right to be heard is separated from "freedom of speech" by the implication that the recipient will consider your words. An occurrence of this may be rare, yet it does happen. Evidence of this took place about one week ago when the Wisconsin Department of Health Services withdrew a request to the state legislature to remodel the existing long-term care service system. When the changes were proposed over a year ago, there was an outpouring of concern for how an effort to reduce government spending would impact the day-to-day lives of program participants and their families. Over the following months, people from all over the state came together, they organized their efforts, and the department held several listening sessions to gather information. Then the announcement was made: all changes would be put on hold for the time being, restoring confidence that those who would be most impacted by future measures would be included in the discussion. With a flash, a moment strikes that brings with it a brief clarity – the immensity that surrounds us, the unending noise that can feel so oppressive – the smallness I feel is merely an illusion. Finding what you value is important in this life, and with time you realize, supporting those values is best achieved when working in unison with the world around you.

Good fortune can come to you in many forms: a cookie, hitting all green lights when you're running late for a meeting, choosing the winning lottery numbers. And, there is the fortune that brings you everything you didn't know that you need.

In college, a professor once mentioned that the typical graduate would change careers six times throughout his or her professional life, which contrasts with those of previous generations, who were much more likely to stay in the same field for a lifetime. When considering my own observations, it seems fairly clear to this amateur analyst that this new-found tendency to change course several times comes from a resistance to settle. We still want a career, one that is promising financially, but also captures our unique talents. The dream job is as rare to find in this world as true love itself (but less rare than unicorns), and I believe that the path to get to both requires a very similar journey.    

When it comes to finding the right match in love as well as in employment, I consider myself to be a believer, but I have been around long enough to understand the heartache, and sometimes heartbreak, that can accompany the pursuit of each.  I have come to realize over time that pain and disappointment come up from time to time when you determine what you want and move forward with resolve.  When pursuing your dream job, for instance, putting yourself out there, exposing your strengths and vulnerabilities, this becomes a necessary and regular activity of the day…and the same goes with that other messy endeavor.

With so much on the line, the challenge is to ignore the temptation to appeal to what you believe others want you to be. It is just a fact that, in both arenas, the process of finding the right match brings moments that can be ruthless and unforgiving. But to me, that is how you come to really understand who you are. Because when we battle these treacherous waters and come out on the other side, even if we have a few wounds to show for it, we can be confident knowing the challenge we faced and, not only made it through, but discovered a strength within that we had not known before.

Opening Statement

Innocent until proven guilty – the central pillar of the American criminal justice system. This is also an essential philosophy for each of us to remember when interacting on a daily basis. For myself, I know that the most difficult aspect of my life to accept is the limitations I encounter because of the way I am often perceived by the outside world. The negative associations and assumptions that come with having a disability are, without a doubt, a heavier burden on me than the physical restrictions I experience from having a neuromuscular disease.

When I think about it, I am no stranger to the concept of being on trial … there have been countless instances where I have felt the anxiety of knowing my fate rested in the hands of others, and of knowing that their judgment would likely be based on a misguided idea of who they perceive me to be. Such determinations can have small or large implications on my life, depending on the circumstance, but my only focus is to create as much opportunity as possible to present truth into evidence, truth about who I am as well as what I have to offer.

Employment, for many people with disabilities, is the best example of an arena that has presented unfair judgment at least one time or two. Even with the most generous estimates, the employment rate among people with disabilities remains around 30 percent, which has long suggested the possibility of an attitudinal bias that has had a huge impact. Results from a study that were released last month has given significant credibility to such speculation.

Cross Examination

Scholars from Rutgers and Syracuse universities collaborated on the project, applying for thousands of accounting positions on behalf of fictitious applicants. All applicants that the team created were qualified (presumably real) professionals seeking a position in the accounting field. Approximately 3000 applications were completed as part of the study and were divided into three groups: one group revealed a diagnosis of Asperger’s in their cover letters, the second group stated in their cover letters that they had each experienced a spinal cord injury, and the third group did not disclose a disability in their cover letters. 

Response showed that employers were interested in those who had disclosed a disability 26% less frequently than those who had not mentioned a disability in the application process. The study also made note that the applicants with disabilities who were applying for entry-level positions were more likely to generate interest from employers than the expert candidates with disabilities.

In an interview with the New York Times, the research team stated that there was no surprise in the fact that candidates with disabilities experienced a lower rate of  response from employers than nondisabled candidates.  However, the fact that the expert candidates with disabilities received less interest than less experienced candidates with disabilities was an unexpected revelation. Attempting to explain this phenomenon, one researcher said that highly qualified candidates are deemed as more of a financial investment as they would require a bigger salary and, as a result, employers may view people with disabilities as “risky.” Closing Argument

This study was the first empirical analysis of how employers view disability, and as such, it has taken me some time to process my thoughts on what was discovered. It goes without question that the decision to disclose a disability in the initial application process is a very personal one. And, it should be noted, that there may be advantages to mentioning disability early on depending on the employer and if they are accountable to federal guidelines in their hiring practices. But if an employer does not have specific requirements or quotas to fill in their hiring, it may be beneficial to withhold personal information (such as disability) until the actual interview. 

I am a firm believer in celebrating individuality and demonstrating pride in all aspects of who you are … this value can still be achieved without disclosing disability right away. It just seems to me that, if we have learned anything from this groundbreaking study, it is that employers have difficulty assigning an accurate judgment to what they do not understand. Focusing on your qualifications during the first phase of an application is a great way to establish credibility in your desired profession and the skills you bring to the table. Then, when it is time for an interview, that would be an ideal opportunity to speak as freely as you like about your whole self as well as the kind of asset you could be to their team.

In my own day-to-day life, I am a witness to the fact that appealing to the mercy of others only gets you so far. What truly matters is the judgment you carry out on yourself.

(To read the study described in this blog post, click the link below.)

You never forget your first time – I would describe the feeling as unsettling; when you put your best self forward to explain why this opportunity is perfect for what you have to offer (highlighting all of the reasons your mommy and daddy told you that you're the most special person in the world) and no one cares.

I remember feeling a certain patriotic tingle as I approached the United States Army booth at the local job fair. As a newly initiated member of adulthood, my 19-year-old self realized that the logic fit perfectly (I fight all the time: older brother = I always win).

I don't know why I had never thought of this before.

… Until I looked at the recruiter's face. Apparently he was unable to envision how my top-of-the-line motorized wheelchair could, of course, be swapped out for a tank suitable for direct combat. Instead, the young man gestured for his superior to come over so that he could explain to me that my physical limitations would prevent me from fully participating in basic training, a requirement of all members of the United States Military.

"No man is an island" – a simple catchphrase with great implications (if you can put it in to practice effectively). I first became familiar with this concept growing up … I remember my mom repeating the words to me in an attempt to help me understand the illogical sense in striving for social isolation, especially during difficult times.

I can only speak for myself, but I have observed this in others around me as well; this habit of taking on all challenges alone when conquering challenge is all we know. 

At times it has felt like the universe was presenting me with an extra dose of adversity every step of the way, especially considering my commitment to live a great life rather than a regular one. Setting a high standard of greatness for myself is absolutely the consequence of having a great mother (who can best be described as my one advantage in life). Growing up, my mom led by example as she taught me what it means to work hard. Her belief in me was always clear and, while I was in school, she was the best public relations representative money could buy … as well as my teacher (literally), my ambassador, and sometimes my warrior.

For my entire upbringing it seems that the universe was doing its best to show me the importance of sharing the ups and downs of life with others. There were several instances throughout my childhood and adolescence that people from my hometown or extended family came forward to assist with a need where my mother's teaching salary could not provide for me and my brother. (Fact: my brother and I were enrolled at our local community college when our van died. My mom called anyone we could think of who lived in our area and may have had a suitable vehicle for us to borrow on days we had classes.)

With her sparkling blue eyes, she looked at me and said, "how do you stay so positive?"

To be honest, this made me quite nervous because I don't think of myself as having a very optimistic disposition. Hoping for the best while preparing for the worst; that is how I would generally describe my state of mind as I approach the day. So I thought carefully before responding to my brand-new assistant's question.

There is a simple fact about my life: the muscles in my body don't work like they should. Numerous consequences of this fact could be listed.

What comes to mind is that everything I do takes somewhat longer than it would if my body was made like an average one. I verbalize what I need and I do my best to articulate how it should be done. Many people play important roles in helping me execute the tasks on my agenda.

Even further, special attention must be paid to all parts of my body merely because I don't move around as frequently throughout the day as a typical person would. Making sure that sores don't appear on my skin as a result of pressure from the weight of me sitting or laying in one place. Monitoring circulation in my arms and legs… Stretching them so they don't get stiff. Then there are the breathing machines I'm supposed to use each day. My lack of muscle strength causes me to have difficulty breathing very deeply, which is why my doctors have instructed me to exercise and clean my lungs regularly. These are all critical aspects of making sure I stay healthy.

Routine and ritual. Going through the motions. Skipping a step means experiencing a negative side effect later. Three hours to get up and ready for the day, and about three hours to end it. This is my reality. At times it feels like riding a conveyor belt that has no "off" switch.

… Which leads me back to the question in question. Looking at her hopeful face, it occurred to me that there's no sense in worrying about optimism or pessimism. What's essential for each of us is realizing that there are certain things we can't change about our lives, and then making deliberate choices to make the most of what we can. 

In order for improvement to occur, even at the societal level, at least two basic elements must be present: 1 challenge 2 positive attitude. And every so often an individual comes along who shows the world a vision of possibility that could only be discovered by a life lived beyond the typical. That is what I think of when reading about the legacy of Ed Roberts.

Born in 1939, Roberts contracted polio at the age of 14, returning home 18 months later paralyzed from the neck down. Roberts received his education over the telephone until his mother eventually insisted that he attend school for a few hours one day a week. Spending time in the classroom forced him to face his deep fear of the increased attention he received from others as a wheelchair user. Roberts stated that this eventually caused him to shift his mindset to one of feeling like a "star."

He was accepted into the University of California at Berkeley and was considered the very first student on campus to have a severe disability. During his time at UC-Berkeley, Roberts earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in political science.  As he gained achievements in academia, he also began to flourish as an advocate for himself and other students with disabilities. He and his group of friends were awarded funding through federal grants when they formed the the Physically Disabled Students Program (PDSP), the first student organization on a college campus to serve students with disabilities.

Roberts' initiation into the workforce took place in 1966 when he took a teaching position at the nearby community college. It was at this time that he was asked to take over the executive director position at the Berkeley Center for Independent Living (the very first independent living center in the nation). His next career opportunity presented itself three years later when the governor of California appointed Roberts to run the state's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the same agency that had told Roberts he was "too disabled to work" 14 years prior. Among his additional achievements, Roberts collaborated with other activists (including Judy Heumann) to establish the World Institute on Disability in Oakland, California.

Roberts' life of profound achievement came as the result of being presented with a very grim reality early on. It has been 20 years since his passing, but his motorized wheelchair can be found today at the Smithsonian institution, serving as a reminder of the person who drove it to such great heights as he shined a light on our own limited way of thinking.

To learn more about Ed Roberts, click the link below.

And then he looked right at me and said, “What do you think of feminism?”

Sitting in my usual place in front of the front row of students (the only location in the classroom that could easily accommodate my motorized wheelchair), it was at that moment I felt a sharp pain jolt through my stomach as my sociology instructor had just shattered the invisible wall I had been peacefully existing behind. Commuting back and forth during community college was an ordeal in itself, let alone the tumultuous events that can often occur in relation to my health and managing the services I depend on. These were the factors I would consider as a means of easing my concerns over not participating in classroom discussions. I was fairly consistent in my tendencies toward introversion as I was going through school. With all of this in mind, I was completely caught by surprise when Mr. Crane broke the unspoken covenant.      

I suppose my actual philosophy throughout much of my school years could be summarized best by the Abraham Lincoln quote: “Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.” I was young and sensitive, and consequently, very aware of the impressions/assumptions people generated upon first glance at me. I am not a mind-reader. But, I could see a look of surprise on people’s faces when I would speak, indicating that they did not previously think that I could. Or, if for some reason, someone automatically believed that I was some kind of secret genius, I was terrified at the prospect of saying something in front of a group that would destroy the illusion.

Living silently is not a practical way of life, though. This is not to say that one must use an audible voice to be heard, but the fact remains that there comes a time when each of us has a duty to speak up. Living with a disability increases the importance of understanding, not only how to work effectively in groups, but how to lead them decisively. There are endless opportunities to develop a strong voice during high school. Aside from the multitude of after-school activities, where young people have their first taste of acting as elected presidents and council members, students with disabilities have additional reason to let their voices be heard when leading individualized education planning meetings. This is the moment where you will have a chance to speak up about what you know to be true for you and affect your future in a meaningful way. A daunting task, yes, but one that cannot be postponed.

Returning to the mantra of Abe Lincoln, one can confidently conclude that he did not consistently follow his own advice. If he had not broken his silence, the presidency would have never reached his grasp and the world today would be very different.

It was earlier this summer that I had the opportunity to speak at the ADA Legacy Tour event in Madison, WI. It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment to share thoughts about the first 25 years of the ADA as well as ideas for future.  This is what I had to say:  

“Today we have learned about many advocates who, just like Abby, refused to settle for less than they deserved in their lives and decided to speak up for change.  A single group eventually grew into a movement, one that attracted the talents of thousands across the nation who wanted to do their part.  Working together, these individuals steadily moved toward the enactment of the first civil rights legislation protecting people with disabilities.

“We are here to celebrate the progress we have made.  But, today also serves as a reminder for the importance of speaking up.  As you leave the gallery and return to your lives, please consider what you believe is yet to be achieved.  What are your frustrations today? Where do you think we are settling for people with disabilities? How can you be an instrument for change?  

I often say that in order to live with a disability, and be successful, it’s helpful to adopt a strategy of managing one’s life like running a large business corporation or nonprofit organization (whichever fits you best). In the business model, there is a human resource team to navigate the complexities of managing a staff ... development director to provide a vision for future operations ... IT department for addressing and troubleshooting when problems arise with necessary equipment ... and the CEO or executive director, who provides guidance and leadership in regards to the day-to-day operations as well as “big picture” concepts. All of these components must perform well, coming together to benefit the health and future of the organization as a whole. Similarly, a person with a disability faces the challenge of juggling many roles in order to be in a position to reach personal and professional goals. Here are a few tips for applying business strategies to your life that will perhaps make your stock rise:

Mission statement. This is a nifty concept we can steal from the nonprofit sector. Every nonprofit has a mission statement that articulates the purpose and function of the organization – this is the first step in developing direction, and every person at the nonprofit contributes to the mission in a different way. Creating a personal mission statement is also essential. It can be as specific as “graduating from  college in the next four years with a GPA of…” or as simple as “world domination.” The crucial aspect of this is effectively communicating your mission statement to all parties involved in your daily operations, so that each of them can do their part in supporting it.

Company culture.  According to Entrepreneur.com, “…culture is about attracting and hiring the people who would be most successful in that specific organization.”  It is also about promoting behavior that makes the company thrive. This is true on the individual level as well. When hiring and managing support staff, you can begin by identifying qualities that you appreciate. Once you have recruited the right individuals, adopt a policy of open communication and do your best to diplomatically articulate your needs to those you employ. This process is continuous, and challenging at times, but it’s important for your team to know when they are doing a good job. Keeping the discussion on the table helps maintain a positive and productive environment.

Financial roadmap. Money is the fuel for business… and the same goes for life. Making a budget for yourself is a necessary step in figuring out how you are going to move forward with your goal. The amount of funding available to you is useful information when establishing a plan for the future.The knowledge you have about your money helps you concentrate on spending wisely, with a heightened awareness of how spending will affect progress toward your goal. This is a strategy as well as a skill. It requires discipline, however, calculating spending projections every three months and then keeping an eye on how well you are following it is a good method for measuring progress toward your goal.

Risk.  “Successful business leaders understand that being in business is about managing and responding to change” (Entrepreneur.com). Economic climates change with time, therefore, taking calculated risks in response to those changes is a vital part of running a competitive business.The need to take a risk from time to time is a reality in any context. Just as in business, refusing to adapt to the changes happening around you is often more harmful in the long-term. This is certainly not the same as gambling with the future, but the key is to be mindful of what life is bringing you in the present and doing your best to make the most of every situation.

I was born to be a fighter.

Not long after I was born, I was diagnosed with a genetic condition that causes muscle weakness. This weakness keeps my arms and legs immobile and makes the common cold knock me over like a semitruck. But that is where the battle begins.

The muscles that control my breathing are not as strong as they should be, which is why a simple virus must be treated like a hostile invasion upon arrival. A combination of technology and a heavy dose of determination is the best line of defense in this event; I have an armory of equipment to facilitate breathing treatments on a schedule of every three hours. All in an effort to maintain my ability to breathe (a.k.a. preventing a takeover by the enemy).

Although I’m really enjoying this war analogy, there is another purpose to me sharing the dirty details of living with this disease. There was a time that I felt most at home during episodes of life and death. I was experienced and well-trained in the requirements of my basic survival, but did not know my role in other situations. It took much longer for me to understand the truth about what it means to fight for my life. I want a life that I am excited about. I have more to give to the world than to focus on nothing other than merely existing.

In the Spring of 2014, Oprah Winfrey visited the students of the Stanford Graduate Business School to offer her advice on life and career. Facilitated by second year grad student, Amanda Facelle, the hour long Oprah interview focused on the central belief that has propelled the career of the woman who can be best summarized as a 20th century cultural phenomenon. 

Winfrey captivated everyone in the Ivy League auditorium as she explained her firm stance that every person comes with a unique personal destiny. She went on to say that her success has been the result of education as well as career decisions that remained consistent with her own truth. According to Winfrey, the definition of LUCK is “preparation meeting the moment of opportunity,” and listening to her recount the evolution of her career makes it apparent that there were many moments of luck along the way. 

She was 16 when she was offered a job in radio when she was asked to read a line of copy, merely showing up at the station to claim her prize in the Miss Fire Prevention contest. At 18, she began receiving phone calls from a producer at the CBS news affiliate in Nashville. Although she didn’t know how she was going to manage juggling the news with her class schedule at Tennessee State University, Winfrey cited the producer’s willingness to be accommodating as the main reason this great opportunity became a reality for her. She was quickly promoted to the 10 o’clock news anchor position in Nashville and then moved on to Baltimore to anchor the news for the next 8 years. And, it was in Baltimore that Winfrey had her first taste at interviewing in a talk show format...stating that it was the first experience where she felt completely “at home.” 

The life of Oprah Winfrey is not the story of a girl whose journey began from a point of privilege. No, this was a girl who demonstrated a deep confidence at a young age because she believed that she had been given a purpose by a higher power. She made the conscious decision to ignore the limitations that may have been imposed on her by the culture of the time, focusing instead on developing her understanding of herself. It was this decision that allowed her to move forward and pursue every opportunity with equal and supreme intensity. Hearing her story makes it clear that she knew if she was not successful at one turn or another, no amount of failure would be the end of the road for her. 

And for me, the lesson I take away is the premium that should be placed on a strong work ethic… Because when you do your best, the concept of defeat no longer exists. All roads lead to an individual's ultimate destiny, you just have to pay attention to what feels like home.

I have many addictions… increasing my knowledge about the life and ways of Hillary Rodham Clinton (HRC) is one that I'm most proud of. In an interview to promote her memoir, Hard Choices (2014), Clinton spoke extensively about her advice to young working women. According to the former Secretary of State, "…individuals will decide how far [they] go by how much work they're willing to put in and how quick they are to ask for help."

Clinton continued by saying that too many women are plagued by a "perfectionist gene," a need to seem perfect and full of all of the right answers from day one on the job. From her point of view, being able to speak up and ask questions or approach a supervisor for clarification about a task is a quality to be valued, not discouraged. It is her belief that focusing so much on being perfect is a hindrance to job performance, limiting an individual's ability to be a productive contributor at the workplace. Knowing when to ask for help is a sign of raw intelligence and will save everyone time in the end, insisted HRC.

Clinton stated that additional important qualities of the women she chooses to mentor are loyalty and great work ethic.  Aside from my interest in receiving career advice from a living legend, there are probably a dozen reasons why this article has stuck with me.  But mostly, it's this idea of being perfect all of the time, I believe it develops in those of us who have a strong need to prove ourselves. Delving into all of the reasons why I, a young woman with a visible disability, fits into the category of someone who would need to prove my professional value seems like a wasteful use of vocabulary.  I will say this: too much emphasis on having a reputation for being the expert on all subjects, and concealing evidence of whatever shortcomings exist is an easy trap when trying to cultivate a sense of belonging at work. Yet, it is this trap itself that is our worst enemy. Because I have learned from experience that it takes asking questions, showing weakness, or revealing that you might not have it all figured out before you can realize that your work is exactly where you belong. 

But you don't have to take it from me, I'm not the First Lady to say it.

Raw and exposed. That is how I feel most of the time. In order to get anywhere in my life it became quite apparent long ago that I develop a stance of acceptance toward my general state of vulnerability in this world. Because I use a wheelchair, it is a mere fact that strangers know (or more often THINK they know) very intimate aspects about me and my life. Further, my mobility impairment also requires that I hire and manage a schedule of support staff to come into my home to assist me with nearly all activities. Over time, such individuals are transformed from faceless names on a resume to trusted allies who I depend on for more than just survival...but many times friendship and advice.

Typically it is more my style to speak in generalities, but for this post it is more appropriate that I be frank. Recently, I discovered that a significant amount of my humble earnings went missing from my wallet. Although it is difficult to comprehend, a vigorous search through my belongings made it impossible to ignore the probability that one of my trusted allies is responsible for the missing cash. I'm not interested in being dramatic, but in all sincerity, the best way I can describe my feeling about this occurrence is VIOLATED. 

Now, if I take this opportunity to rewind the clock to four years ago...I remember all of the hesitations I felt as I moved forward with planning my relocation to Madison (a.k.a. my first time living away from my family). Having completed several independent study projects in college on the subject of domestic violence toward women with disabilities, I was more aware than most of my increased risk to experience it. I have always had an active imagination, one that sometimes gets the best of me in times of worry and fear. But, how should we distinguish the cautious from the paranoid? When is fear justified, and when is it just another barrier keeping us from moving forward?

Several years have gone by since I arrived in Madison. Within those years are memories of dozens of people I have recruited, trained, and welcomed into my life. I have learned a lot over time about how to handle situations and follow my instincts. My time in Madison has given me huge opportunities and countless adventures.