Comments on: Jon Morrow from Boost Blog Traffic

By: nathashaalvarez

nathashaalvarez — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 21:56:00 +0000

In reply to Annessa. Annessa, I agree. You don't have to be disabled to inspire others but I know that depending on where we live, just stepping out of the house is inspiring. For example, in some countries people with disabilities bring shame to the family so if they go out and live a normal life that is inspiring because they are willing to face the cruelty from those who disapprove of their existence.

By: Annessa

Annessa — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 19:43:00 +0000

In addition to my comments, below, regarding Mr. Morrow’s opinion on employment, I would also like to weigh in on what he said about inspiration:
Like Mr. Morrow, I too can see both sides of this. My feeling is this: If you look at a stranger on the street or a distant acquaintance and you assume, based on physical characteristics alone, that this person in an inspiration, then that is not inspiration; it’s a prejudicial assumption that is just as insulting to the disabled person hearing it as it would be to look at a person of another race and make assumptions about them, based on stereotypical assumptions about their race. However, if you know someone personally, whether they are disabled or not, and you know enough of their personal story that you feel inspired or motivated to do more with your own life because of what they have accomplished, then that’s different. I am inspired by lots of people, both disabled and not, because of their accomplishments. I am inspired by my friend Katherine Klimitas – not because she is in a wheelchair, but because she is an accomplished artist and author. I am inspired by my friend Missy, because I don’t honestly know how anyone could have the energy to raise twins, much less twins with OI (a brittle bone disease) when she herself has this disorder as well. I am also inspired by Missy’s two kids, Austin and Michaela; not because they have OI, but because they both have YouTube channels and I’m STILL trying to get my YouTube stuff together (you gotta’ be inspired by how fast kids pick up new technology). I’m inspired by Nathasha Alvarez who created her own magazine. That’s no easy feat. I’m inspired by Jon Morrow, the subject of this article; not because he has a rare form of MD, but because he is an accomplished blogger (blogging is another thing I want to do but can’t seem to find the time). I’m also inspired by many people outside of the disabled community, such as Oprah Winfrey and Sir Richard Branson, both of whom built billion dollar empires by doing things their own way, and by spreading out into uncharted territory, despite the many neighsayers who told each of them time and time again that they should just stick to one thing. So, it’s not just about disability or even overcoming obstacles, for me, inspiration is about knowing a person’s backstory well enough to appreciate the value of their accomplishments.

By: Annessa

Annessa — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 18:58:00 +0000

I am an educated person who is also in a wheelchair, and I agree with Mr. Morrow on most of what he said about employment. He is right, you DO have to know your stuff and be qualified for the jobs you’re applying for because no employer is going to give us a shot just because we have a disability. Openings are posted because the company has a need; their intention is to fill that need with the most qualified applicant, whomever that may be. However, the one thing I would add is that it is important for people with obvious physical disabilities, when interviewing, to address the “elephant in the room” by making sure those interviewing you know that you are, in fact, capable, of doing your own work and making your way around the office on your own, despite being in a chair. Many potential employers bring with them their own stereotypical misconceptions about us, and laws in most states mandate that they are NOT allowed to ask us personal questions about what we can and can’t do in terms of our disability. Therefore, it’s up to us to make sure we clarify exactly what we’re capable of doing. And this advice is not exclusive to disability, either. It can apply to anyone who falls outside the employers idea of a typical hiree. If you have a large employment gap, if you are older than the average applicant, whatever it may be… If an employer doesn’t ask about an issue, it doesn’t always mean he or she doesn’t care. It may simply mean that they’ve already made an assumption about our situation. It’s our responsibility to make sure that employers see us as we really are.