Melizza Sandusky vents of her frustrations about not being able to find gainful employment.
I am still not working. I am still going out each and every day, on my crutches, and applying at any place that is taking applications--and even some that aren't. I also check back at the places I have applied at, and so far, nobody can tell me a thing.
I don't know what it is going to take to convince people that I am NOT a danger to them because I happen to have mental illness or emotional problems; and that my problems are being dealt with in a practical way! I am getting help for my depression and my mental illness; and I am on medication, which helps calm my moods; what more do I have to do to prove to people that I am NOTHING to be feared? I am a person, too, just like anyone else; and I deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion!
Ever since I was fired from my job at Wal*Mart for a crime I did NOT commit, I have been unable to find a job..ANY job. It doesn't matter: I have applied at offices, restaurants, stores/boutiques, factories, and schools, but people see my past work history, with the big, fat red "FIRED" stamped on my employment record from my job at Wal*Mart, and they don't even want to have anything to do with me because THEY feel that I am NOT worth hiring; that "I was fired once already from a job; chances are, I'll only get fired again". Or they see that I am disabled and am on crutches, plus I have a speech impediment; and they feel that I am "too much of a health or insurance risk".
I am NOT a bad person; what happened to me at Wal*Mart was something BEYOND my control, and I had NOTHING to do with it! I was FRAMED by another employee, and I was made to look like the bad guy when the REAL bad guy got away with nothing but a slap on the wrist while MY job was terminated, and my life was forever changed. I am a GOOD, kind, loving person with a compassionate spirit about her, and I am willing to work ANYWHERE. It doesn't matter WHAT I do or WHERE I work: as LONG as I am WORKING, I'll be HAPPY! Pay doesn't matter either; I could be making $3.00 an hour or $30 an hour; I'd be happy making ANYTHING instead of sitting at home, collecting unemployment or disability benefits every month!
I could drive myself to the places I apply at, but I don't have a car, and I can't drive, because of my unsteady nature, and also my medications affect my balance from time to time; I fall sometimes, and this is why I don't drive. When I apply for a job, I either walk, or I have daddy or Steffi take me if they aren't working. (Daddy and Steffi both work: Daddy works at Wal*Mart, and Steffi works at Golden Corral.) It's not like I DON'T have transportation to and from a job, for crying out loud! Hell, I'd even WALK on my crutches if I had to to get to my job! SOMEHOW, SOME way, I'll get to and from my job!
People are ALWAYS making accusations about me and my problems. They think that because my body is "disabled," then my mind is too, and I am here to tell you that my mind is BRILLIANT: I have a GREAT mind, and being mentally ill does NOT affect my mind MOST of the time! I am able to function as long as I am on my medication, and when I am on my medication, I function QUITE WELL, thank you very much! And I DON'T drink: people sometimes ask me if I drink because of my speech and my unsteady gait; and I tell them I have NEVER touched a drop of alcohol in my life (and that is the GOSPEL truth!). It is so STUPID how people think sometimes!
I wish people would stop making false pretenses about me and give me a chance. If I ever get a chance, I'll PROVE to them that I would be a good, honest, and trustworthy employee, and I'd do the best job to the best of my ability, no matter HOW mundane or menial it may be! As long as it is a JOB, I'd be happy doing ANYTHING, even if it meant wiping poop off someone's butt or picking fleas off a dog! Or even rummaging around in garbage or something! I don't care HOW nasty or "disgusting" a job would be: as long as I had a chance, I'd do ANYTHING for money! Having money is DEFINITELY better than sitting around at home, feeling sorry for myself or getting a small disability check each and every month! (I make less than $300 a month on disability. So I am NOT rich by ANY stretch of the imagination!)
Just give me a chance is all I ask, and learn to look BEYOND my past job history, my disabilities, my mental health state, and my race! I am a PERSON, and I am a person who is CAPABLE and WILLING to do ANYTHING that comes along! You just may find out that I may be the best employee you EVER had!
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Reviewed by Toretha Wright
11/6/2003
This is more good stuff. Your first person stories are intriging. I felt for Melizza. The ranting about being BRILLIANT and then I read further to the mental instability tied the theme up! I like it. I must read more!
Rant away Melizza, it is totally unfair the way the disabled are treated...
God Bless
~Michelle~
Reviewed by Susan Sparks
10/13/2003
I think I've already told you this before, but I haven't been able to find a job either since I left Oklahoma. I totally empathize with this. Even the employers who put a great big "EOE" on their help wanted ads won't hire me. That's all a big farce, probably so they won't get sued. Susan Sparks Great rant. Tells it like it is.
a sad, truthful write--but it isn't just the disabled that face discrimination, sweetie. the elderly, different races...and with the economy the way it is, employers can afford to be choosy
