Tomorrow is Labor Day, which has been a federal holiday since 1894. I am currently 22-years-old and unemployed. As someone with Cerebral Palsy, finding employment has been a challenge. I have applied for hundreds of jobs in the past three years, and haven’t found anything.
Employers don’t want to hire me once they find out that I have CP. I’ve had interviews rescinded after I have disclosed my disability. I applied to work at Texas Roadhouse and Homewood Suites earlier this year. The managers refused to interview me after I told them I have Cerebral Palsy.
Being unemployed has made me feel worthless at times. I currently receive disability benefits. I’ve learned that employment doesn’t measure my worth. I am still worthy despite being unemployed. I am currently a writer, and I enjoy sharing my perspective with the world.
I don’t know if I’ll be able to work full-time. A nine-to-five job might be too much for me. Disabled people are worth more than their ability to work. I hope I can work in the future and that my employer values my work. I deserve to be treated fairly in the workplace.
Source:
History.com Editors. “Labor Day 2022” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 13 Apr. 2010, http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/labor-day-1.