Daily Mood Quote - July 7, 2011

 

Daily Mood Quote

Day 64 – July 7, 2011

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

~Helen Keller

I have often asked myself the question, do people, who have never faced adversity; true adversity, not a broken nail, in their life, understand the difficulties they put upon someone when they pass judgment on those who are different? Today's blog is a personal story and its a bit grumpy. Be forewarned.

It was November 12, 2002, when I was told I was loosing my eye sight. It would be gradual and slow, but it would be noticeable. Over the years, I, along with my husband, have found creative ways to see, to read, to graduate with honors from college, to maintain a 4.0 in grad school and live life daily. It isn't easy, but it is worth it. Outwardly, I look like anyone else, well-mannered and courteous. I try to dress nice and always look presentable. I also wear a pair of glasses to make the big picture a little less blurry, most of the time. Picking out details in that big picture, even up close, is very difficult, so I have learned to enjoy the “scenery”. Sunsets are amazing, a bit like a Monet painting.

When it comes time to read, I add a second pair of glasses over the pair I am wearing. This little trick permits me to see the pages clearly enough to read, study and participate in class discussions. Without another viable solution, I got creative. This works for me, even my ophthalmologist said, “That's very creative and smart.” To the point of our story, I am smart, creative, educated and I have a lot to offer any employer. But, after 434 resumes submitted and many interviews locally, the word has spread that I “wear two pair of glasses” GASP! at the same time. I have heard through conversations with friends and even HR professionals in my area, that the pervasive local irrationality is, “If you have low vision (now), you must have low intelligence.” The interview usually ends when the glasses go on. As if one had anything to do with the other. It's kind of like saying; Beethoven suddenly couldn't compose, since he lost his hearing. Although his best work came after. He had sharpened his ability to focus. I have interviewed with hospitals (you think they would know better), banks, retail establishments and small businesses. It doesn’t seem to matter that I might be the smartest cookie on the sheet. I am different and because I have something people cannot readily see, they don't understand. Nor do they want too. I have passed the tests and have the skills, education and experience, so after two years one simple conclusion remains...

The most difficult part of this process hasn't been losing my eye sight, it has been in comprehending and accepting the attitudes of others. Quite the shocker! I simply wasn't raised to discriminate, I grew up in a racially, financially and socially mixed neighborhood, so I find I have to work to understand the discrimination. In the movie Philadelphia, Joe Miller (played by Denzel Washington) defending Andrew Beckett (played by Tom Hanks) said, “The Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination against otherwise qualified handicapped persons who are able to perform the duties required by their employment.” he continued to say, “This is the essence of discrimination, formulating opinions about others not based on their individual merits, but rather on their...” For me, the fact that I do something just a bit differently, I wear two pair of glasses at once, causes elimination from consideration for a position almost immediately. In this economy it's tough enough to find a job, but when you add petty discrimination, it becomes all but impossible. So be it, enough whining.

The thing I want to convey isn't that my situation is difficult. It is. What I want to talk about is resolve and character. We all are given gifts and burdens and every once in a while it's OK to take a look at both honestly. My husband says “Adversity doesn't build character. It reveals it.” Helen Keller says “...only through trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” Well, my soul is well built and my character laid bare to the world. I guess I'm ready for the success. Like Beethoven, my best work is yet to come. When we look inside and view our strengths and our weaknesses, we must be honest and fair about both. I can't see so well, but I can think and do... and so I shall.

What will a look inside reveal about yourself today?

Tune in tomorrow to read the daily mood quote

Thank you for reading