Summary
This heartfelt blog post chronicles the author's journey as a woman with multiple disabilities, including blindness and autism, in finding her life's purpose. It details her early aspirations in biomedical engineering, the challenges faced due to health issues and educational barriers, and her pivot towards accessibility and technology.
The post highlights the author's experiences with the Texas Workforce Commission, her current work as a usability tester, and her efforts to learn programming and Braille proofreading. It also touches on her aspirations to become an accessibility consultant and her long-term goal of founding a nonprofit organization for people with multiple disabilities.
Throughout the narrative, the author emphasizes the importance of faith, perseverance, and adaptability in navigating the complexities of career development with disabilities. The post concludes with a message of hope and determination, as the author continues to explore various opportunities while trusting in her faith for guidance.
Finding my purpose as a woman with multiple disabilities has been a journey filled with unexpected challenges and profound realizations. My faith in God, passion for accessibility, and commitment to disability rights have guided me through every twist and turn.
Early Aspirations in Medicine
Early Interest in Medicine
When I was in high school at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI), I dreamt of becoming a biomedical engineer. My fascination with medicine began at an early age; I loved watching medical documentaries growing up and even read a medical dictionary when I was just six years old, although I’m not sure how much of it I understood.
Influential Figures and Dreams
This passion was further ignited when a blind biomedical engineer spoke to one of my classes about the field. From that moment, I aspired to follow that path after school. Biomedical engineers engage in various activities, from genetic engineering to developing prostheses. I also hoped to attend the University of Texas in Austin for college. However, life had different plans, and I believe God was guiding me towards a different path.
Navigating Health Challenges
Diagnosis and Its Impact
After being diagnosed with autism and experiencing a decline in my health, everything changed. Following my autism diagnosis, I found myself in a program where the staff pushed me too hard towards independence. This experience, combined with my realization of how challenging my poor spatial skills, social anxiety, and sensory sensitivities were, along with a subsequent diagnosis of fibromyalgia, led me to reevaluate my career goals. Attending UT and becoming a biomedical engineer no longer seemed realistic.
Exploring New Career Paths
Discovering Programming
There were many months when I lacked the energy to consider my career options. However, when I could, I contemplated what else might suit me. Knowing my love for technology and my passion for accessibility, I wanted to pursue something in that field. Due to my disabilities, the job couldn’t involve traveling, talking to a lot of people I didn’t know (for example call centers), standing for long periods, or exposure to loud noises. One day, the idea of computer programming came to mind—seemingly out of nowhere—and I felt it was divine inspiration.
Challenges with Education
I explored colleges and attempted to attend three times over the years, but each time my health forced me to withdraw. This was disheartening. Although I still wish to attend college, I’m unsure if it’s feasible given our flawed education system. College staff often couldn’t provide all the accommodations I needed. For instance, at one school, while I received extended time for most tasks, discussion board assignments required timely participation like everyone else—an impossible feat on bad days.
During my college years, I encountered significant barriers in programming courses due to a lack of accessibility awareness among faculty. In one memorable instance, my professor for a C++ course assigned me the task of creating an accessible chess game. While this project was intriguing, it quickly became apparent that neither the professor nor the staff had sufficient knowledge about accessibility to provide the necessary support. Despite their willingness to help, we struggled to modify assignments effectively, and I was unable to complete the game.
This experience underscored the critical need for accessibility education among educators and reinforced my commitment to advocating for better resources and support for students with disabilities. It also fueled my passion for ensuring that technology is accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities.
Experiences with TWC
Additionally, I’m working on reopening a case with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), with assistance from an advocate at Disability Rights Texas. Previously, I was frustrated with TWC because they were unwilling to assist me unless I could work or attend school full-time. They also tended to focus solely on my blindness rather than considering all of my disabilities, which limited their understanding of my needs.
My experiences with TWC were further complicated by two problematic caseworkers. One caseworker put me down by saying I’d never be independent but expected me to find a meeting at a mall I’d never been to before without help. Another caseworker dismissed my potential by questioning if I could handle a job due to past college struggles with deadlines related to my autism-related time blindness and need for flexibility. She asked something like, “Are you sure you can handle a job if you couldn’t handle deadlines in school?” These interactions were discouraging but also fueled my determination to prove them wrong.
Moreover, I found TWC generally unhelpful when it came to providing technology or other resources I needed for success. This led to significant challenges in accessing essential tools like a Braille display—an indispensable device for someone who is blind or visually impaired. Ultimately, it was my stepdad who stepped in and provided the financial support necessary for me to purchase this crucial piece of equipment when no other options seemed available.
However, my advocate informed me that TWC is required to help if I provide a letter from my doctor specifying my work capacity. Armed with this letter, I’m hopeful that I can secure the support I need to pursue my career goals.
Current Endeavors
My health has improved somewhat, yet I’m still uncertain about what career path my health will support or what will be both enjoyable and financially rewarding. Currently, I’m exploring various opportunities while trusting in God’s guidance every step of the way.
Learning Programming
I’m continuing programming studies using resources like Codecademy and freeCodeCamp. These platforms have been instrumental in building foundational knowledge while allowing me flexibility as someone navigating multiple disabilities.
Aspiring Nonprofit Founder
One of my long-term goals is founding a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting people living with multiple disabilities by providing resources such as assistive technology funding and advocating for inclusive policies across sectors.
As I reflect on my journey so far, I am grateful for the lessons learned through both challenges and triumphs. My experiences have shaped my passion for accessibility and advocacy, driving me to create a space where individuals with multiple disabilities can connect and thrive.
Looking ahead, I am excited about the possibilities that lie before me. I hope to build a nonprofit organization that not only provides resources but also fosters community and understanding among those facing similar challenges. Together, we can advocate for inclusive policies and ensure that everyone has access to the support they need.
If you resonate with my story or have experiences to share, I invite you to connect with me through my contact page. Let’s work together to raise awareness and promote accessibility for all. Thank you for joining me on this journey!
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