Friday, August 19, 2011

Advice on going into an interview.

There's no absolute answer but this is what I've done in the past. Normally I don't disclose my condition until the very end of the process. However, I do indicate that I can't look straight to let the interviewer know I'm not avoiding eye contact. I mean this may lose some points with people but if that's the case there's not much that can be done. Ultimately, it comes down to the person seeing your ability or seeing your disability.

When I first graduated and tried to look for a job, I usually do let them know before hiring me so that they ahve a clear understanding of what I can and cannot do. As I've grown in my career, I seldom disclose the extent of my disability during an interview since I often find it irrelevant to my ability in getting the job done. Generally, I try to look for a job that I can use computer to do much of the work which then enables me to enlarge and still work like any seeing persons. However, if it might effect your performance and ability to do your job, I think it's only fir for you to disclose partially so that the employer would be more accomadating to your needs.
Reality is, discrimination will always happen whether its in the open or not. Some people will openly discriminate you and others will simply cross you off the list assuming you are incapable. However, once in while you will meet a person who sees your value, if you're lucky enough to find that boss, do your best and that will take care of the rest.
We can't avoid discrimination and it is a fct we are at a disadvantage o other seeing persons when it comes to general office admin work. Thus its crucial that you find something that sets you apart, it would be something that regardless of visually impaired or not, you would not be replaceable.
In my experience, patience and persistence is key. Some people find a great environment to stay in on their first try, others like me go from job to job looking still. Sometimes it can be depressing but I think if I can find the one right opportunity, all the other bad jobs would just be a bad dreams.

It's not easy, and I don't really think it will ever really be easy. But you'll adapt like all other things in life. Finding the right job is not easy for anyone (seeing or not). So don't sweat it, let things take its course, prepare yourself the best you can in building your skill sets and keep trying until you find someone who can appreciate your talents.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

What's your faith?

I strongly believe that faith is a critical element in finding peace with oneself when facing any type of illness or disease. It's the foundation of establishing vlue and acceptance in any patient's mind.

Now is there a best faith that can guarentee inner peace? I don't think so. It could be that I haven't found it myself, but in my opinion, every person has a set of core values which may reasonate closer to one relign more than another. Regardless if you are a Buddhist, Christian, or Muslim, the goal of your faith is help you accept your conditions and find peace and comfort in your heart.

My encounters with relign...
Although I was never Baptized, I've always had to Buddhistm and Christianity in my younger years. It puzzled me when they tell me God loves everyone and yet it still felt like I was being punished with Stargardt's. It made me angry at this "god" who in my mind is punishing me without letting me know or understand what I've done wrong.

In Buddhism, the main idea is about karma. It is a way of thinking where your actions are the seed and your conditions are the consequences of your actions. Because Buddhists believe in reincarnation, your past lives can have an impact on your current life. With this in mind, I often blamed myself fohaving Strgardt's in this life. Perhaps it was a lack of resect and appreciation which led to this life's lost in vision. This kind of thinking in a way, helped me to come to terms and try to ccept and learn hoping I don't make the same arrogant mistake in this life.

But ultimately, faith eventually became internalized whereby I need to rely on myself for my needs and wants. A simple belief can help me get through a bad day, a reinforcement of positive thinking to keep my spirits high. But mostly, if gave me a false sense of control whereby I can be the master of my fate empowering myself to chase dreams or try new things.

No matter which faith you choose to believe in, always remember that you are the key to your own salvation. Any faith is there to help you accept your conditions it can't help you recover from Stargardt's. Faith for me is a way of fighting back those depressing moments.