Because your different

[wolfiswill]

Last May I graduated with a degree in youth ministry. Since then I've been trying to find a job in youth ministry, but so far no door has opened. I've posted my testimony here before. I can't smile or make any other facial expressions and I have hearing problems as well as problems with my eyes. When I send out my resume I've told churches about my disabilities. It seems that when churches find that out they shy away and that is so hard for me. How do you all deal with things like this. I'm happy with the way God made me. Why can't people give me a chance? I praise God for the way He made me because He makes no mistakes!

Will

 

[Poohbear246]

Hey will! I have hearing problems, as well as other issues too, and it is not pleasant to deal with people's reactions. Technically they cannot shy away from employing you. If you feel you've been treated unfairly, esclate the situation to their superiors. You might find they'll listen to you.

I definitely agree that we are exactly the way God wants us to be. I found a lot of comfort in a book called Extraordinary Bodies. All the things you are talking about and wondering -- i.e. why do people act this way?! -- are concretely theorized in this book. It's a work about why the disabled are portrayed as they are in American Literature, but contains a lot of incredible social commentary. Everything you have ever gone through in dealing with people is in this book. Just to see it written down was such an experience!!

Cheers!

 

[night2day]

Last May I graduated with a degree in youth ministry. Since then I've been trying to find a job in youth ministry, but so far no door has opened. I've posted my testimony here before. I can't smile or make any other facial expressions and I have hearing problems as well as problems with my eyes. When I send out my resume I've told churches about my disabilities...

I was told by a rep at Employment for the Disabled services in my area that one should not feel the need to state their disabilities or physical problems on a resume or interview unless there is a reasonable accommodation needed. Otherwise it gives the impression one is trying to keep themselves from being considered, even though one is only being honest.

It seems that when churches find that out they shy away and that is so hard for me. How do you all deal with things like this. I'm happy with the way God made me. Why can't people give me a chance? I praise God for the way He made me because He makes no mistakes!

Unfortunately, people are still people whether in church or not. We're still sinners. And people have the tendency to look more towards the outward appearance far more than they do anything else. Thank goodness God doesn't and uses people where they are to bring about His purpose. The negative image that are given to the disabled extends into the church. I've been told more than once "if you're not healed you must not have enough faith...you must pray for healing" even though the parties forget God chooses to sometimes heal, sometimes not. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12: 7-10)

I trust God will work through you. Maybe in ways you won't even expect in order to reach the people he wants your life to touch in His name.

 

[symphonyb]

ahh wolfiswill im going to pray for you and your needs.please don't be discouraged by people. it may be that they feel ignorant about things...they may not feel able to deal with it.thats not your doing,thats theirs. please talk to Jesus about this frequently! He has all the answers. PRAY HARD!

 

[Poohbear246]

I was told by a rep at Employment for the Disabled services in my area that one should not feel the need to state their disabilities or physical problems on a resume or interview unless there is a reasonable accommodation needed. Otherwise it gives the impression one is trying to keep themselves from being considered, even though one is only being honest. .

Depending on the nature of the job, hearing impairment can be an issue...In my experience it has almost always come up right away during an interview because I have to keep asking the interviewer to repeat him or herself. I am really surpised that the counselor told you that, I would have thought it would only help one's cause since employers love to tout their commitment to diversity.

faith...you must pray for healing" even though the parties forget God chooses to sometimes heal, sometimes not. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12: 7-10)

I've never understood that either. Why can't people accept that maybe healing isn't necessary -- that we are who we are for a reason?

 

[night2day]

Depending on the nature of the job, hearing impairment can be an issue...In my experience it has almost always come up right away during an interview because I have to keep asking the interviewer to repeat him or herself. I am really surpised that the counselor told you that, I would have thought it would only help one's cause since employers love to tout their commitment to diversity.

Well, depends on the type of work and whether or not if there needs to be a reasonable accommodation given too.

I can understand having trouble with hearing is something you might want to tell the interviewer simply so he/she knows they're not being ignored or whatnot. And especially if you work with others.

However, by law you're not required to reveal your disabilities unless, like I said, you need an appropriate accommodation for them. The U.S. Dept. of Labor defines them in this way:

"A job accommodation is a reasonable adjustment to a job or work environment that makes it possible for an individual with a disability to perform job duties. Determining whether to provide accommodations involves considering the required job tasks, the functional limitations of the person doing the job, the level of hardship to the employer, and other issues. Accommodations may include specialized equipment, facility modifications, adjustments to work schedules or job duties, as well as a whole range of other creative solutions."

The official Job Accommodation Network website can be found here:

http://www.jan.wvu.edu/

I've never understood that either. Why can't people accept that maybe healing isn't necessary -- that we are who we are for a reason?

No idea. God works through whoever He chooses. Many still haven't acknowledged this yet.

 

[Poohbear246]

I can understand having trouble with hearing is something you might want to tell the interviewer simply so he/she knows they're not being ignored or whatnot. And especially if you work with others.

Yes, people have a tendency to automatically assume the worst, and the second you see the hint of a confused / impatient look, what else are you going to do?

modifications, adjustments to work schedules or job duties, as well as a whole range of other creative solutions.

Hey thank you for that info! That's really useful....I've passed up jobs requiring heavy phone work and such....yet they can probably find a way to work with me on it. I had no idea that they had to do that. Lol.

 

[Ave Maria]

That's really sad. I have two disabilities. ADHD and Major Depression. Although they are not physical, I do seem to be treated differently sometimes because of it. Sometimes it is hard to pay attention and I am easily distracted and so, sometimes I get the idea that people think I am not intelligent or something because I have to ask them to repeat themselves because I didn't catch what they said in the first place. But in all actuality, I made good grades in high school and generally consider myself to be a relatively intelligent person. I am not a genius by any means. I have, however, found that the best way to cope is to pray and to trust God. I hope you have better luck in finding a job in the future.

God Bless,
Holly

 

[night2day]

Hey thank you for that info! That's really useful....I've passed up jobs requiring heavy phone work and such....yet they can probably find a way to work with me on it. I had no idea that they had to do that. Lol.

I think it's part of the ADA (American's with Disabilities Act) and the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunities Commission). They also can become involved if something goes wrong during work in which something within reason can be tended too. Of course, for this to take place the employers need to be aware of the disability as well as the accommodation needed.

When I had a conflict with my manager at a retail store I worked at I was instructed to make a duplicate of the same doctor' file at work note that was already within my...as well as a written request for reasonable accommodation). If the manager denied, the EEOC could have brought the company to court. Thank goodness they didn't have too.

(All of that over a raised bar stool so I could sit while I answered phones so the rest of me wouldn't be in dire pain the entire evening through.)