National Disability Awareness Month Interviews
March is National Disability Awareness Month.
- Do you know that 1 in 4 adults in the United States experience some type of disability?
- Anyone can experience a disability at some point in their life.
- Individuals of all races, genders, sexual orientations, nationalities, religions, incomes, and social classes experience disabilities.
- A disability is a visible or invisible condition that substantially limits one or more major life activities such as eating, sleeping, speaking, hearing, walking, seeing, breathing, caring for one’s self, or working.
As part of that, we invited Larimer County employees to share their stories and experiences with us, and we're sharing those with you here.
Why did you decide to share your experience with other Larimer County employees?
How do you feel your disability influences your work?
What, if any, myth would you most like to clarify about individuals with disabilities at work?
What do you want others to know about your experiences as an individual with a disability?
- Because not all disabilities are visible, and education helps make life better for everyone.
- It can be a hidden issue if no one is told about it.
- I have had enough time to settle into the County and feel comfortable enough sharing.
- I am hoping to feel more validated that other folks suffer from an invisible disability like me, but in order for folks to speak up on their disability then I need to as well.
- Perhaps there are others who can relate to my experience and how I function as an employee with a non-visible disability. Admittedly, I do not tell professional colleagues about my disability. I've done so in the past, which I regret. What transpired was others telling me how to live my life, sharing horror stories about their friends or family members who had/have the same condition, sharing their opinions and apparent expertise about people like me.
- So people are aware that having a disability doesn't mean special treatment.
- To make people aware of the many different kinds of disabilities that are not always visible.
- The benefits and resources I receive from Larimer County have benefited me greatly.
- Have worked in IT for 17 years. Started in the DA's office for 5 years. Right now still disabled and working as a temp worker for IT as the situation warrants. Mostly I thought it good for people to know that just because people who are perceived to have a disability can still be vibrant members of the community and workplace. Most people know me for rolling around in my wheel chair and rolling over toes. Even though I can't do that anymore. I want people to know that even those who are disabled have a lot to offer.
- Hearing others is difficult with all of the background noise. I have to ask people to repeat what they say and I get annoyed just as much as you. When I am on the phone using my good ear, I can't hear anybody else. It is up to me to sit in a position at meetings and trainings where I can hear. This is my problem and I try not to make it anybody else's.
- It sometimes affects my ability to focus, and on really bad days, I can't work at all.
- Many times I can not fully understand conversations and it is embarrassing to ask for someone to repeat themselves. During the new hire process, there were several videos to watch and I had to ask for a louder speaker because subtitles were not available on those videos.
- It offers me a different perspective from those who may not have this disability, including feedback that may be different from others.
- My disability can be debilitating at work. I always need to have headphones on. I'll be in mid conversation or in a presentation and my mind is distracted by other noises that I forget where I am at mid sentence. I have to offer more energy to get the same amount of work done.
- Living with a disability for 30+ years has required me to be extremely well organized, purposeful, and to manage my time and energy in an efficient manner. This way of being is reflected in my work.
- They are more motivated to work. They are often worried about what people say about them and having so called "special treatment".
- My anxiety can rear up and create self doubt and distract my train of thought. The osteoporosis that I have can create some back pain and discomfort which adds fuel to the anxiety.
- I tend to have a hard time doing certain tasks for periods of time or need to take more time off due to flare ups.
- Currently, my disability causes me problems operating a computer and doing basic tasks along those lines. Before then it was being in a wheelchair and helping everybody out. Biggest problem was when had meetings offsite and remembering to take my van to work to drive, otherwise, I could roll down from house and back and forth to work. I didn't really have any problems actually working the last 17 years. The last two have been a little more difficult to get things done, thus the change to a temporary position.
- Please don't confuse not hearing you with ignoring you.
- That disabled people are lazy. I have been working since I was 14, and at most times in my life have held 2 jobs at a time.
- We may have a disability but that doesn't limit the capability we have at achieving goals and creating progress in the work environment. Our way of showing up just may look different, and that is okay.
- That we're all struggling a bit, and all trying our best. I've spent over twenty years coping with my disability, and I do a great job. I don't think anyone in my office knows I suffer from a rather extreme form of misophonia, but I hope they can understand how much work I need to put in every day to keep sane. I guess the myth would be that because we look OK, we are OK. That people with disabilities are 'less than' or 'not as smart' as others. Also, that having a disability may possibly be viewed by others as a 'free pass' to slack off or that less is required of us.
- That people with disabilities are human too. They have feelings, thoughts and etc. That retaliation is viewed differently from their perspective.
- Just because an individual is classified as having a disability, it does NOT mean that they are not capable of getting the job done or need to be treated "differently".
- A person may have a disability you can't even see that impacts them every day. Even though I am highly physically active, I experience symptoms every single day that impact my work, ability to focus and need for accommodations.
- The biggest is people thinking that people with disabilities are automatically different from regular people. A lot of times the person may have problems walking or maybe speaking, but a lot of times people make assumptions that the person with a disability is unable to do anything else. A lot of times there are a lot of misperceptions from people. It's not necessarily their fault. It is more of a societal thing. It's not quite as easy for people to get over the idea that we can do as much work as regular people.
- I have had hearing loss for 33 years. I have adapted to what is normal for me. I don't wish this for anybody. Although on a positive note, I sleep great every night, and my 4 alarms hopefully wake me up in the morning.
- That as a whole, people need to be less judgmental. There are several types of disabilities that can't be seen. I have a genetic spinal disorder, this is not really visible except on x-rays and MRI's. I have had multiple surgeries and some days, just breathing hurts. I get glares from people when I park in handicapped spots even though I have handicap plates in my name. Just because a person is differently abled, it doesn't mean that they aren't valuable members of society. We have feelings, just like everyone else.
- As much as it might frustrate someone else that I can not hear that well, it is more frustrating to me that I can't fully participate in group discussions or hear what is being said. I want to give my input and be involved but I usually feel left out.
- My experience offers a unique additional perspective to the work environment and how day to day practices can be innovated for everyone's benefit.
- It's really exhausting. My mental health and social life have suffered greatly. I try and put on a smile, but not everything is what it seems. Look out for others.
- To meet all people where they are in the moment, regardless if they have a visible or non-visible disability. It can be a challenge to put aside personal opinions, biases, or discomfort when connecting with someone with a disability, and it's important to become more self aware of where your personal growth can occur.
- That people try even harder despite having a disability. They work harder and people most often than not, do not notice that they work harder while struggling.
- Most people do not know that I am considered to have a disability as it is not "visible". It is not something that I discuss openly. Not all people would see my disabilities as disabilities. The few people that I have confided in totally understand and are supportive and sympathetic.
- Resources through the county such as SecondMD were the reason I got diagnosed with my disability and got the proper care I needed. I also used the ergonomic at home assessment to prevent myself from having further injury/pain when I have flare ups.
- I've been very fortunate working at Larimer County and my previous job with people being pretty accepting of my disability. I'm fortuante because MS isn't quite as aparant to other people. It really only became apparant about 4 years after I started working with the County and when I began using a wheelchair. I've not personally had any problems working with people or them working with me as far as I know. I've always had a good attitude and relationship with the people I work with. Larimer County was especially awesome right off the bat. When someone comes across your path with a disability, please know they, like my case with MS, don't necessarily need to mention to people that they have a disability. A lot of people with a disability may not want to share it or bring it up with coworkers or anyone else either because they are embarassed or concerned their job may be impacted because of it. Just because somebody is disabled it doesn't necessarily mean they have to have restirctions placed on them by work or their disaiblity. Have a conversation with them to see what they can or can't do and what they want to do. It makes me feel like I'm doing something good by sharing my story. I have found having a good sense of humor helps out. Working with the County has been a good experience.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Human Resources Department
HOURS: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
200 West Oak, Suite 3200, Fort Collins, CO 80521
PO Box 1190, Fort Collins, CO 80522
PHONE: (970) 498-5970 | FAX: (970) 498-5980
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