Do you have an ongoing disability?

When I was attending a work training thing, we had to fill out a lot of forms so that the training is paid for. When I got the ‘do you have a disability’ question, my pen hovered between the yes and no box, before eventually I decided to go for the NO option. Later when we were discussion diversity in the workforce at another training day, the trainer mentioned that a lot of people with disabilities tick the no box, and they didn’t understand why. Why not declare it if it means that you can get assistance for anything that might affect your work? Well there are several reasons why I usually select no, when technically I could choose yes. First of all, what is a disability? Legally, ADD is a disability. But then I think, what about the people with more real disabilities, being unable to walk, or see, or hear? I’m much better off than them, do I deserve to be in the same category? Does it affect my work? Well, yes… but can they do much about it? Not really, other than understanding there is a reason. It’s not like they can order me a special keyboard. Do I want them to know? This is the real issue, and the answer is, no, not unless it will prevent me for getting fired for not working well enough. At uni I did declare myself to disability services, because I started doing badly and I was worried about being kicked out. My doctor thought it was a good idea when I brought it up and said, “of course! Why haven’t you done this already? If there is help for you, take it!” It was possible for me to be able to contact disability services if I felt like I needed an extension, or more time for exams but I never did any of that. I don’t feel like I needed special treatment. If I never got an assignment in on time for my entire academic career, that’s my problem and I should try harder. (For the record, I handed a few thing in on time in third year!) I never really had much contact with disability services after registering and the initial interview, but it was good to know that I could have made an appointment if I needed to. After switching to part time uni was much easier to manage. I did receive three academic warnings and when the disciplinary committee contacted me for an interview I said sorry I was overseas, but if you want to hear about how I am trying to do better you have my permission to talk to disability services about my situation, and that’s the last I ever heard from them. I don’t know if that made them leave me alone, or if they had worse cases to deal with and I was not worth worrying about. Either way, I never got put on probation or restriction, just received a few warnings. So the situation at hand. I am filling out a staff survey. In this instance, they have given me some guidelines. 2 For the purpose of this survey, a person has a disability if they report that they have a limitation, restriction or impairment, which has lasted, or is likely to last, for at least 6 months and restricts everyday activities. This includes: • loss of sight (not corrected by glasses or contact lenses) • loss of hearing where communication is restricted, or an aid to assist with, or substitute for, hearing is used • speech difficulties • shortness of breath or breathing difficulties causing restriction • chronic or recurrent pain or discomfort causing restriction • blackouts, fits, or loss of consciousness • difficulty learning or understanding • incomplete use of arms or fingers • difficulty gripping or holding things • incomplete use of feet or legs • nervous or emotional condition causing restriction • restriction in physical activities or in doing physical work • disfigurement or deformity • mental illness or condition requiring help or supervision • long-term effects of head injury, stroke or other brain damage causing restriction • receiving treatment or medication for any other long-term conditions or ailments and still restricted • any other long-term conditions resulting in a restriction. So that’s a NO from me then. Sometimes, it’s more of a grey area. Whether there comes a time in the future where I will need to tell my manager, remains to be seen. Hopefully after my appointment next month I’ll work out a good pattern of medication and discipline and no one will need ever now because I’ll be as productive and useful as the next person!

I have to interrupt the regular programming and announce that, I have graduated university!

Always something!

I stood at the front door this morning and said. “keys, wallet, phone, lunch, pass, coffee.” All seemed in order, so off I went. When I got here I realised that I’d forgotten my gym clothes. Bummer. I really need to go! Maybe I can get the home weights out later instead. I am not drinking at home this week. It’s been two days of no beer or wine with dinner. So far it’s ok.