An Interview with Paul C.

 

 

Paul C. is a young person with a disability living in Saskatchewan. He has completed a vocational program at a provincial technical/trades school and is now working in the skilled trades industry.

 

Q: Paul, can you tell me a bit about your disability?

A: I was born with Spina Bifida.  You might not be able to tell from just looking at me [because I had] many surgeries when I was younger,

 

Q: What skilled trades industry do you work in?

A: Automotive and agricultural parts sales and distribution.

 

Q: What is your job or profession in the trades industry?

A: I work in a large auto/agricultural parts dealership. I find replacement parts for customers who bring in damaged equipment. I also have the responsibility to look up various parts in dealer's manuals, and fill out invoices to order in there parts if we do not already have them in stock. Another aspect of my job is to fill out accident claim certificates for the provincial auto insurer, so that they can know how much it will be to fix a damaged vehicle, or decide to write the vehicle off.

 

Q: How do you feel about self-disclosure?

A: I feel it is absolutely necessary to disclose my disability to my employers. [It saves me] a lot of grief down the road.

 

Q: How have you self-advocated?

A: The nature of my disability makes it very difficult for me to lift or move heavy objects around, and yet these sorts of tasks are sometimes associated with the type of work that I do. I have made a point of telling my employers about having Spina Bifida, and that I cannot spend extended periods of time lifting or moving heavy materials, but that I have other skills that would be just as useful in the performance of my job.

 

Q: What coping mechanisms have you developed for everyday living & at work?

A: I just try to relax and not let the world get me down. I have also learned to appreciate and value the support given to me by family and friends.

 

Q: How have you been accommodated in your workplace or work environment?

A: In addition to understanding that I cannot lift heavy objects on a regular basis, my employer also grants me the option of using a computer chair behind the service desk. Usually we would be expected to stand on our feet all day and not use a chair. However, my employer understands that I cannot stand on my feet for a full 8 hour shift.

 

Q: What has your experience been overall as a PWD (person with a disability) in your province's workforce?

A: Well, the first job that I had in this field didn't turn out so well for me. Upon first being hired with a small parts company, I did not disclose my disability, and they had me continuously lifting and moving heavy equipment on a regular basis, and I just couldn't do that so finally I chose to disclose. It was only after that that I disclosed the fact that I had a disability, that they began to notice "deficiencies in my workplace behavior" (or that's the line they gave me anyway) and they let me go. To be honest I was quite hurt, however it taught me a lesson, that it's better to disclose these things as soon as you accept the job. I have picked myself up, and moved on to a bigger company that accepts my disability for what it is, and values the things I can do, rather than harping on the things I cannot.