| What about Job Discrimination? |
| (July 30, 2000) THIS IS A SPECIAL EDITION - VERY IMPORTANT TO READ - PLEASE READ IN ITS' ENTIRETY SINCE YOUR HELP IS ABSOLUTELY ESSTENTIAL! Last week, I received a phone call from an individual with Moebius syndrome. This individual had talked with me a while ago about the atmosphere of discrimination and intolerance s/he was facing in his/her place of employment. Finally, after having worked with the employer for fourteen years, the discrimination became absolutely intolerable and this individual quit this job ... and (within just a few days) found employment doing the same, exact work with an internationally recognized organization. The atmosphere of discrimination is gone, for which I am glad! But people with disabilities should not have to endure harassment, innuendos and teasing about their disability (along with sexually harassing overtones). The "Americans with Disabilities Act" is supposed to address these issues, BUT THIS INDIVIDUAL'S FORMER EMPLOYER DOES *NOT* CONSIDER MOEBIUS SYNDROME TO BE A DISABILITY. |
| Please read what this individual shared with me ... "The reason for this claim is discrimination to disability perceived, and used to create such hostile environmental factors, that it became inhumane. A disturbance founded by intolerance and hate, and a false belief that I deserved such treatment. Harassing behavior that included everything from mocking, ridiculing, hurting, blatant insults, not only about my face but about sex, in breach of the Disability Act of 1990. As well as rules that pertain to sex and sexual harassment. In closing, I keep no contact with any peers, since I was told that (xxxxxxxx) was trying to locate my present employer. Regardless, No one will come to my aid. (xxxxxxxx) knows this. All I have is the truth and that is good enough for me. I can take a polygraph, as last resort. But in my heart, I know what is. I lived that way for years. It is lucky for (XXXXXX) that no one will help because no one knows my side of the story. I know now, this is the right thing to do, or this will continue to follow me. I never knew how far people could go on talk alone, I was na�ve to ignore the power of suggestion. Coming forward is not an act of anger, or retaliation. In fact, confrontation is what I least want, but this must all end. It is time. My life has continued, and I have moved on. I gave them the opportunity to walk clean from all this. But now, it is time to speak. I have been through a facial paralysis and limb deformity, seven surgeries, and all their consequences. I have seen the ups, downs and in betweens, of a silent and voiceless disability. It is the year 2000, and much remains the same. "Disability" is supposed to affect at least one major life function. In our case, life itself is the major "life function" To live.as most do, a normal life without living imprisoned by other peoples prejudices, insecurities and intolerance. When a person has a facial disfigurement, life, as most people know it, is perceived as not valid. In fact, that is one comment often uttered at (XXXXXXXX) by some in passing, " I would rather be dead than look like that." Well maybe death is what it takes to call the attention of people throughout the world to facial disfigurement. I found out that a very handsome Moebius Syndrome adult committed suicide last year, maybe because he could not take how he was perceived to be, and how he was treated because of it. He hasn't been the only one. Still others, like myself, become tired of the everyday fuss and trials of being mocked and singled out. It is not only unprofessional, especially in a (xxxxxxx) environment, but damaging to the person involved. So maybe we should ask this question: "How many more need to die before we are heard?" Explain to me why a person of color will be tolerated, and accepted, if not, the law intercedes and rightfully so. Yet, I cannot have a day of peace in my life because the law has not yet defined the gray area that involves facial disfigurement, disability and society, as we know it. We too need to be protected from the discriminatory behavior and hostile environment. My reactions were merely that, and in retrospect, I was out of my mind to tolerate it as long as I did. It was wrong and should never have happened. As an American, I will not be raped of the right to be treated equally. In cases as mine, people with silent disabilities will go unheard and are reduced to an "acceptable threshold" of silent abuse. I will no longer be a victim I will not allow all the long and tedious hours of excellent work and accomplishment to be discredited. That ended the day I walked out of your doors,(XXXXXXXX). I will not go unheard. It does not matter who believes, as long as something is said. Spoken for those that have died in shame, those who have walked in shame, and the children that need now to know there is no shame in facial disfigurement. It is no ones fault and not a punishment from anywhere. It just happens. With Moebius Syndrome, research is still trying to find out why. Nonetheless, a disability can happen to anyone. I want an apology for what happened to me. I want your acknowledgement that it happened. I want you to restore my good name. That's all. I am no longer afraid. I am ready to speak out loud. I will continue to encourage Moebius Sydrome and those with similar afflictions to speak out and maybe someone else does not have to die or leave everything behind, before someone listens and makes a change." This individual is currently working with the United States Department of Justice and has formally filed with them. In order to substantiate the realities of experiencing discrimination as a result of having Moebius syndrome, the investigator has asked this individual to get letters from others with Moebius (or their parents or professionals with 'inside knowledge' via talking with people having Moebius syndrome). I would imagine that the DOJ would accept letters re: discrimination from others also affected with facial differences. CONTINUED |