This poem is dedicated to Karen Vidra who asked me to do a poem on employer's not hiring the handicapped. Karen, this is for you...
Don't look down on me, Sir
I have so much to give
Being handicapped doesn't mean
I've lost the will to live
I will be a good worker
Let me prove that to you
Close your mind to the things
You don't think I can do
******************************
Doors slammed in my face
Everywhere I go
Before my foot's in the door
Employers tell me 'NO'
I only need one chance
Don't look at me that way
Before you even speak, Sir
I know what you will say
******************************
I am strong, I am determined
I will do my very best
Show a little faith in me
And I will do the rest
I know I can do the job
Please listen to what I say
Show a little compassion
Don't just turn and walk away
Wow, this is so good! Society does seem to have a problem dealing with the many disabilities. Karen is a good person, she deserves better.
Be safe,
Karen
A wonderful tribute to a great friend Linda. Our friend Karen deserves respect. Disability is NOT inability. Well done Linda. Keep writing this kind of wisdom. We need it.
Thank you for honoring Karen in particular and the disabled in general.
Linda:
Thank you for this, this touches me as well, having a neuromuscular disorder myself, unfortunately its not only employers that have the tendency to underestimate someone who happens to have a disability, thank you for this and I will be praying for Karen, and Karla
God Bless
Michelle~
You have done honor to dear Karen, and to all those eager and willing souls that struggle in the wasteland of unemployment everyday in this great country. Although businesses seem to justify their stance, and what appears to many to be prejudice, I believe that the underlying reason is fear. There are so many problems we face in this world now.
I agree with Sue ... this should be read by everyone. Well done!
Sadly, people are viewed and instinctively measured on first imrpessions e.g. physically. Inbuilt stereotyping of the disabled is also at work.
Obviously there are jobs of a physical or mental nature in which not all of us - able or disabled - are qualified to do. Be this as it may, most work today is sedentary, located in finance, commerce and electronics. A level playing field where qualification for the job applies.
We remind ourselves that discrimination is not necessarily the domain of some employers. Employees too can be quite unkind to folk even those who have nothing more than an impairment.
My Dad had a double cleft palate which left him without a roof in his mouth. He received a false one surgically in 1956. In the meantime, he suffered men poking fun at the way he spoke (nasally) to the point when one day he had enough.
A coal mine overseer always took the opportunity to mimic his speech impediment. He did it once too often. Dad was quite a powerfully built man. He dealt with the overseer in a way that ensured he never made a fool of him again. His employer on the other hand, was very good to him. He made allowances for Dad's regular hospital appointments etc. I would like to think that there are employers of the same calibre still out there.
You have written a comendable piece, Linda.
Regards
Dai
Reviewed by LadyJtalks LadyJzTalkZone (Reader)
Reviewed on March 21, 2007
This is something that should be on the resume in my accomplishments section. Good poem. Lady J
Thank you for disabilities come in many shapes and sizes and you don't realize how depressing the world can treat you until you have one.
Fee
Reviewed by Michael Mathieu (Reader)
Reviewed on March 21, 2007
Well penned Linda,Thanks for sharing this message...
Lessons to be learned...
Michael
Reviewed by ~ Holly Harbridge (Reader)
Reviewed on March 21, 2007
Dear Linda, a piece of work that needed to be written, and I'm certain Karen apprec... this. I agree with George, Shame on those that close the doors! And in conclusion, what Ed has said which is so true!
I think it's high time that everyone in this vast selfish nation of ours started remembering what compassion truly is. We seem to have horribly forgotten what it is - in so many aspects of modern life today. Amen! love holly
2007, and a powerful reminder of how much we have advanced for the last centuries of enlightment.
Shame, shame to whom close the door in the face of his brother.
Very strong feelings here.
Georg
O, Linda, this is p o w e r f u l!! A needed wake up call; this should be shown to ALL employers! Just because we may be handicapped in body or mind, that doesn't make us less of a person who needs money in order to survive! Karla said it so well; we are dedicated, worthy, hard workers. Enough of the stone age mentality of hiding us away!! VERY well done! *clapping*
(((HUGS))) and much love (and thank you for the dedication; that was sweet!), your friend, Karen Lynn. :D
This is beautifully penned, compassionate, and loving--the handicapped are dedicated, worty, hardworking, if only given the chance. Karen, though, can no longer work, we're trying to get on SSDI, denied: not handicapped E N O U G H. More bull, more paperwork, more frustrations to deal with!! It never ends, ya know?
Show a little compassion
Don't just turn and walk away
A wonderful dedication to Karen, Linda, and I think it's high time that everyone in this vast selfish nation of ours started remembering what compassion truly is. We seem to have horribly forgotten what it is - in so many aspects of modern life today.
Re-Release! No longer back-listed. Return to the Olde Ways. The hustle and bustle of modern day life has brought many of us to a quick fix attitude.This book is for those of you who are fed up; have looked at your life and your loved ones and realize
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Be safe,
Karen
ILLEGALS MEXICANOS CHEAP LABOR ARE...Really Look At TRUTH...
Linda Your Compassion Knows No End...
Your True friend TRASK
Thank you for honoring Karen in particular and the disabled in general.
Thank you for this, this touches me as well, having a neuromuscular disorder myself, unfortunately its not only employers that have the tendency to underestimate someone who happens to have a disability, thank you for this and I will be praying for Karen, and Karla
God Bless
Michelle~
You have done honor to dear Karen, and to all those eager and willing souls that struggle in the wasteland of unemployment everyday in this great country. Although businesses seem to justify their stance, and what appears to many to be prejudice, I believe that the underlying reason is fear. There are so many problems we face in this world now.
I agree with Sue ... this should be read by everyone. Well done!
Light and Wisdom ...
Obviously there are jobs of a physical or mental nature in which not all of us - able or disabled - are qualified to do. Be this as it may, most work today is sedentary, located in finance, commerce and electronics. A level playing field where qualification for the job applies.
We remind ourselves that discrimination is not necessarily the domain of some employers. Employees too can be quite unkind to folk even those who have nothing more than an impairment.
My Dad had a double cleft palate which left him without a roof in his mouth. He received a false one surgically in 1956. In the meantime, he suffered men poking fun at the way he spoke (nasally) to the point when one day he had enough.
A coal mine overseer always took the opportunity to mimic his speech impediment. He did it once too often. Dad was quite a powerfully built man. He dealt with the overseer in a way that ensured he never made a fool of him again. His employer on the other hand, was very good to him. He made allowances for Dad's regular hospital appointments etc. I would like to think that there are employers of the same calibre still out there.
You have written a comendable piece, Linda.
Regards
Dai
Fee
Lessons to be learned...
Michael
I think it's high time that everyone in this vast selfish nation of ours started remembering what compassion truly is. We seem to have horribly forgotten what it is - in so many aspects of modern life today. Amen! love holly
Shame, shame to whom close the door in the face of his brother.
Very strong feelings here.
Georg
(((HUGS))) and much love (and thank you for the dedication; that was sweet!), your friend, Karen Lynn. :D
This is beautifully penned, compassionate, and loving--the handicapped are dedicated, worty, hardworking, if only given the chance. Karen, though, can no longer work, we're trying to get on SSDI, denied: not handicapped E N O U G H. More bull, more paperwork, more frustrations to deal with!! It never ends, ya know?
Anyway, well done.
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
Don't just turn and walk away
A wonderful dedication to Karen, Linda, and I think it's high time that everyone in this vast selfish nation of ours started remembering what compassion truly is. We seem to have horribly forgotten what it is - in so many aspects of modern life today.