Leopard Flats are a stylish statement yes. It means we face the world's problems with determination and commitment. Seriousness meets style.
Sunday, 2 August 2020
Employment for Persons with Disabilities
In the United States, do you know of any person with disabilities in leadership or management positions? Chances are there are not many of them. Disabled people generally tend to occupy vocational and/or volunteer jobs. I have seen some fold paperclips or sharpen pencils at the local library. Seldom do we see them in upper management or leadership roles. If many can be considered qualified with or without reasonable accommodation as provided by the American with Disabilities Act; then, why don’t they hold meaningful jobs? Is this not a form of disparate impact in hiring practices across the board?
Take for example, Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Echazabal, 536 U.S. 73 (2002), where the plaintiff with liver issues wishes to return to work at the risk of direct threat against himself. There are a lot of questions to be asked such that do persons with disabilities have so limited opportunities for employment that they would be willing to engage in work that puts their health at risk just to have employment and pay the bills? In this sense, the ADA has not gotten very far in providing equal opportunity and meaningful access for persons with disabilities. It shouldn’t be so hard for anyone, even for a person with disability, to find work that he or she is qualified, for with or without reasonable accommodation. But, sadly, it is. So that when people with disabilities find whatever small opportunity to earn, they do so even at the risk of harm against themselves, because there are no better options. In a society that prides itself in equality for all, there must be better options. Discrimination is not only the inability to provide reasonable accommodation or the ill treatment of those associated with persons with disabilities. Discrimination is also when a person with disability settles for a poor choice because there is no other choice – or society makes it hard to choose an alternative. Ultimately, persons with disabilities should have the responsibility of being their own advocate and guardian for their rights to equal opportunities in employment and to quality of life. What, therefore, is the threshold of meaningful access? Should it not be expanded? Who determines reasonable accommodation vs. undue burden; and why are there not enough benchmarks for this? This leads me to the larger question: why are there no opportunities for disabled people to have meaningful access to work opportunities in leadership and upper management?
Friday, 31 July 2020
How to cope with a loss of a parent?
Whether it be from a sudden incident or from a long term illness, it is not easy to lose a parent. One can never prepare for this change in life situation. One however can find means to cope. I found myself in this position when I lost my mother just two months ago to stroke and complications.
The Covid lock down did not help make things easier as health care professionals were stretched to their limits with caring for all kinds of patients.
Now I find myself grieving the loss my best friend and center.
Those who have lost pass through several stages of grief. There is no right or wrong way. And the process is not linear or forward moving all the time.
Knowing where you are in the process can help you manage your emotions and lead to healthy cathartic release.
Known as the Kubler Ross Model, the first stage of grieving is denial. This is the first emotional response. At this stage family members believe there is some sort of mistake. There is disbelief. The second stage is anger. I notice this most often happens in males. Family members who are angry and grieving target other family members and use them as outlet for their anger. They blame, find fault or grievance. The third stage is bargaining. This means family members bargain with God or the universe that they will reform in exchange for something. The fourth stage is depression. The family member in depression refuses to talk to anyone, spends time in silence, and mourns the loss of the parent in consideration of his or her own mortality. And finally, the fifth and final stage is acceptance. Emotions are stable and there is calm. Family members embrace the truth of the loss and move forward bringing with them fond memories of their parent.
As you go through loss, remember do not go through it alone for a long period. Seek a support group whether peer or spiritual. Choose a few who can understand the loss. Usually also those who have loss a parent.
Wednesday, 15 July 2020
How to invest in times of a pandemic?
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