Let Me Introduce Myself...and then BEG for HELP!

[whiwo]

First, I am a 41 yr. old male living in Atlanta.  Originally, from Texas, I moved here shortly after 9/11 after drowning in drugs and sucking the life out of myself, apparently for no reason.  I was diagnosed with HIV just two years after my brother's death from AIDS in 1986.  The only forum I've ever been apart of was GayPoz in early '99 - '00.  After meeting some of the members in San Antonio, I quickly removed myself, as my disability appears to cause discomfort for most.  I must say, I've never been ill, subjected to PCP, wasting or any other illnesses commonly associated with my disease.  Unfortunately, in 1994 I developed a myelopathy that I have never rebounded from.  At the time, unbeknownst to me, the doctor informed my parents I had six months to live and nothing could be done.  Frankly dying never even occurred to me.  Consequently, getting the needed therapy to return my mobility seemed fruitless, at least to them.  Wrap this around my initial statement, and a lot has happened in-between. 

After cashing in a couple of life insurance policies, I sold off most of my belongings and moved to Atlanta (this was just random...could have been anywhere) with one of my friend's ex.  Within a year, I began working for a large corporation whose merger with another conglomerate, is currently a point of contention with many and pending FCC approval.  Having served my time in my current position and wanting to further my career, I applied for two positions with their advertising and publishing division.  Apparently my resume caught their eye, and I tested and then interviewed.  When I arrived for the interview, the only two spots for handicap parking were located almost a block from the entrance.  Once you got to the front, it was a steep open air stairwell that went down four levels with no rails and no ramps.  Luckily, I was early for the interview and began my dissent as it took a good 10 minutes to get down.  Once I checked in with security I asked if there was a better way to access this building for persons with disabilities.  After thinking for about a minute he replied “no”.  Finally, someone came down and took me upstairs where I waited in an office for 45 minutes.  When they finally came and got me, I was introduced to the Manager for the large business accounts.  She made it clear, that she was not the hiring manager (who was having an operation), and that she was only doing the interview as a "favor" (so much for "team player").  I was fully prepared for the questions and dead on in my responses.  During the course of the interview, this woman received a total of five pages.  She never bothered to excuse herself; she would just start texting away.  Each time, I would just stop speaking until she was finished and I had regained her attention again.  Clearly she was distracted, cared little about my past accomplishments and pretty much was non-responsive the entire interview.  In fact, it was clear she didn't even read my resume based on her responses. 

Okay, okay...I'm getting to the point.  Obviously, I did not get the job.  She sighted I had no Business Experience or Leadership Skills (despite the fact that I successfully ran the family business for eight years and was a supervisor of sixty for a large satellite company).  Even after all this, for some strange reason, the same division called me back for another interview, this time for the second position I had applied.  Shortly prior to leaving that day, I was contacted by Staffing to confirm whether I realized this was the same department I had previously interviewed for and suggested I did not go to the interview.  After all, I was already turned down for a position that paid less.  Naturally, I went and was interviewed by someone else (though much more professionally) and was turned down again.  However, I never received a reason (standard company practice to send an evaluation one week after being turned down) from staffing. This time the response came 3 weeks after the interview from the executive assistant to the manager I initially interviewed with and only after I had filed a grievance the previous day.  Not only did I lack the aforementioned experiences, but a whole litany of qualifications not withstanding "Integrity" which really burned me.  I have yet to receive a response on my grievance.  At this point, I'm seriously considering filing a lawsuit against the company for discrimination.  Based on the premises where I interviewed, it became very clear they do not want a "cripple" representing them in front of clients. 

My only problem is, I really need my job.  The benefits are amazing, but I cannot stand to remain in my current position due to severe integrity issues with the way business is conducted in my division.  If I do this, you can be certain they will retaliate and make my life overbearing if not impossible.  I'm sorry to just jump off the wagon shortly after introducing myself, but I really need some advice.  I'm afraid I might even already be blackballed from taking a lateral position within the company (I've applied for two other positions with no response since my grievance).  I'd like to hear varying responses before I could make what will ultimately be a career killer. 

Sincerely,

Whiwo

[clarke]

I'm unsure as to why everything appears so loud.  For me, it was hard to keep track of what you were saying or wanting because of how "loud" it was.

[Razorbill]

Is it possible there was a better qualified candidate? - that was a rhetorical question - you needn't give me the whole spiel as to why there could not have been.  In any event you prob have no basis for a lawsuit.  You need the beniies, so take a deep breath, let go of the drama and stick with it until you can find work elsewhere where you'll be happy.  Then say adios to the company.

[Cliff]

The only thing I can suggest is to keep on interviewing for other positions, while remaining at your present employment.  The company may be unethical, but you don't have to be.  Do your best and just keeping putting yourself out there.  Someone is bound to hire you.

Good luck and welcome to the forums.

[Oh501sguy]

I will say my first thought, a good company worth working for, would not play that kind of game.  I don't care what kind of benefits they have.  That being said, some states have something called DVR or BVR  Department of Vocational Rehabilitation or Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation.
I've lived in Wisconsin and it has the first and Ohio has the later... anyway... if you work through them, they can possibly help you with finding a job.  I am partially deaf.  There are major companies who use them to hire people with handicaps.  It's also a tax write off for them and they have to meet quotas....you know the story.  You might try looking into that.  They can help in other ways, but you might check your local phone book under Vocational Rehabilitation.   

[Queen Tokelove]

I will say my first thought, a good company worth working for, would not play that kind of game.  I don't care what kind of benefits they have.  That being said, some states have something called DVR or BVR  Department of Vocational Rehabilitation or Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation.
I've lived in Wisconsin and it has the first and Ohio has the later... anyway... if you work through them, they can possibly help you with finding a job.  I am partially deaf.  There are major companies who use them to hire people with handicaps.  It's also a tax write off for them and they have to meet quotas....you know the story.  You might try looking into that.  They can help in other ways, but you might check your local phone book under Vocational Rehabilitation.   

We have one of them here where I'm from, it's called the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. I just became partially deaf June of this year. My primary doc thought it was pressure from allergies but when it lasted longer than he expected, he sent me to a specialist. Come to find out, I have this rare problem where you lose your hearing before you're suppose to. I don't know what the medical term is but I understood the word severe along with the explanation I provided.

Anyhoo, not to go off topic, I had called OVR to see if they could help. They referred me to the Starkey Foundation to help with paying for my hearing aids. I couldn't find anything worthwhile to assist me on their site, so I turned to my case manager. She had it arranged where a grant would pay for them, I don't know how OVR found out about that but they ended up being the ones to pay for my hearing aids after all. Bless them!!!

[Oh501sguy]

I have had to wear a hearing aid since I was 5.  I'm now 42.  I have never paid for my hearing aid!  Vocational Rehab, the state, or OHDAP, helps.  I have a caseworker at the Columbus AIDS Task Force and a caseworker at Vocational Rehab.  I connected the two of them together and I do not pay for my meds or my hearing Aids.  I also have a very good job, but my salary is just under the guidelines so I qualify.  Those guidlines are quite high much to my surprise! 

Back on the subject, Another service they help with is the Job search.  Every state is different and it depends on your relationship you foster with your caseworker.  There is help out there!