Disability can be a stigmatizing word. In todays society having a “disability” can be taken very negatively. If I have learned one thing working in the disability support field it is that for every disability, there are plenty more abilities. When you break down the word disability you get two root words; one being Dis, which means “not” or “cant”; and the other being Ability, meaning "capable". When taken like that, many people have disabilities. I, for example, have a disability to draw, or cook (as my fiancé will inform you if you asked her). Disabilities come in all forms and can impact people in a variety of different ways. But, in essence, if you cant do something to a “regular standard” you can be deemed to have a disability.
When I look at my professional identity a big part of it surrounds education and advocating. It was not long ago when people with disabilities were deemed as “lesser”, put into institutions, heavily medicated and not provided opportunities afforded to neurotypical people. Society has shifted and since adopted a community living based approach, recognizing those with disabilities should live and have the exact same opportunities as those who are neurotypical. This was a big step in the right direction, however there are still many steps to take in providing opportunity to those with disabilities. In 2011 (the latest stats I could find) the employment rate was “49% among individuals aged 25-64 who reported having a disability, compared with 79% among those who did not report having a disability” (Statistics Canada, 2011). When you assess population of those in Canada with a disability we see that “In 2012, almost 14% of the Canadian population- 3.8 million individuals- reported having a disability that limited their daily activities” (Statistics Canada, 2012). Such a big part of what we do in the disability sector is about connection. Connecting clients to resources, building community connections, educating business' and the community not on the disability of our clients, but the ability they posses. Not everyone can do the same job, just like you or I, we need to find what we are good at and pursue it. We help people realize that their disability does not define them and help the community see that even though they may have deficits in some areas, that they have strengths in others. By breaking these barriers, educating, and connecting the community first had to disability, we help take the stigma away from the word.
When I assess my professional values they align with my identity; empathy, adaptability, authenticity and motivating are all qualities I deem important and try to emulate everyday. True connection comes from being able to understand what someone is going through, and be there for them. Empathy is being “with” someone in their emotions, not trying to fix, but understanding and helping them progress through those emotions in their own way. Being adaptable is crucial in changing to meet new challenges. When dealing with peoples lives nothing is ever fully planned and carried out flawlessly; unexpected things happen and roadblocks or barriers appear. Part of being adaptable is being able to recognize those roadblocks are there but being calm and calculating enough to plan on how to deal with them and not let them ruin what you are trying to do. People with disabilities often see a lifetime of roadblocks and part of what we do is to be that motivating factor to help them through those times. Being motivating requires a positive outlook on life and an ability to “see the glass half full”. Finally, I value authenticity both in building connection with the clients I work with but also the managers I oversee. As a leader I value honesty as a means of progress; my team knows I wont beat around the bush when I give them feedback and this provides them with valuable insight into their work as well as pushes them to do great things each day they come to work.
I have always described the disability services sector as a “Jack of all Trades-Master of None”. Being involved in someone’s life, in every situation they encounter, often enables our staff to have insight into many areas of the health care system, however, as our training is in social sciences and not medical sciences, our staff often do not have any medical training to deal with many situations that come up. As education of the community is a focus, so to is education of the health sector. Often times other health fields default medical care to disability support workers, thinking they are trained RNs or have formal training in areas like rehabilitation, addictions counselling, law or any variety of other fields, when in essence, our job is to provide connection to these resources, advocate for the client, and provide understanding depending on the clients deficits while in these appointments. We require the help of many different sectors of health just as you or I do, we just translate this information through a different lens that the individual can understand, and often times act as an “external brain” of sorts to ensure care plans are followed to the best of the individuals ability.
Overall, Disability is a growing and changing field within the health care system. Our identity is constantly changing but one that always values advocacy, education, and social connection. I am excited to be a leader in the field and I look forward to everyday as a new challenge.
“Believe you can and your halfway there” – Theodore Roosevelt
Brayden Sharp-Chrunik, BSc.
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