The 3rd of December has been designated as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities by the United Nations (UN), to highlight the fact that the greater inclusion of persons with disabilities and providing more accessibility to them in the name of a more pronounced involvement within society, is a crucial step in attaining sustainable development, which essentially means no one ought to be left behind. The ensuing paragraphs are aimed at persuading the reader that persons with disabilities, are as capable of being just as productive as any able-bodied person by telling the tale of one person with a disability. Her’s is a tale of trial, tribulation and triumph, and a shining example of the power of the human spirit we all hold within.
Unseen Faces and Unheard Voices
All her life, Jolene (pictured above) has had the deck stacked against her; and yet, she has not allowed the fact that she has a rare affliction which causes her muscles and lungs to weaken over time, to weaken her resolve to leave an impact on those she works with. Given her unique circumstances, she would have been forgiven for resting on her laurels, having achieved a Diploma in Multimedia and InfoComm Technology, but being a person who is highly aware of her potential, she struck out onto the job market to become a more productive member of society, just as any able-bodied person would.
Jolene’s journey to becoming Market for Good’s Head of Operations was a journey fraught with doubt and rejection from the very beginning; according to her, having to “compete with other able-bodied people whom society may view as much more capable and [who] can bring more to the table” compared to people with disabilities such as herself, made the job-seeking process “difficult and tedious”. She described the job interviews as being a “demoralizing” ordeal, especially since often, the reason for being rejected at the interview phase, came down to the fact that she could not physically carry out the duties required for the job.
An Iron Will and a Fire in the Eyes
Jolene’s iron will and determination went a long way in helping her weather the storm of many rejections during her months-long job hunt. Her passion for technology and social media, along with her iron will, finally helped her to land her first job as a social media assistant at a non-profit organization which employs persons with disabilities. After a few months however, she found that she was “given very little work to do” in addition to not being adequately compensated for her time and talent. This resulted in yet another months-long job hunt, which culminated in her heading operations at Market for Good; she is, among other things, responsible for ensuring that the gifts on Market for Good safely reach our partners.
Breaking Down Barriers
Perhaps the best way to illustrate the capabilities of persons with disabilities like Jolene, is to showcase the fruits of their labour. It is in that spirit therefore, that I present an image of the Singapore skyline (pictured above), designed by Jolene herself; it is a prime example of the fact that given the right platform, persons with disabilities too, can shine as bright as any of their able-bodied peers.
Treading a Similar Path
It is in writing this article that I (Adrian, pictured above) have heard echoes of my own story. Although our disabilities differ vastly, with mine leaving me unable to walk properly without the aid of crutches, I too had my difficulties; the thought of using my words to leave as much of a positive impact on as many people as possible, after attaining a Certificate of Higher Education in Common Law, did not cross my mind at all; and yet here I am, working with Market for Good’s social media team, to spread our message of empowerment and sustainability through our social media activities and articles such as these.
An Unstoppable Force for Good
(Pictured from Left to Right: Tali Goldman, MFG Founder and CEO, Jolene Poh, MFG Head of Operations, Rashi Jaipuriyar, MFG COO and Head of Creative)
After many trials and her fair share of hurdles, Jolene is now in a position where she can thrive and leave the greatest impact with her work. She shared that equal treatment is of utmost importance to her in all areas of life, especially at work; she has found that after a year of working with Market for Good, she has found an organization that treats her “normally like everyone else here”. It is through her work with Market for Good that Jolene has found a path to financial independence, and a means of supporting her family.
It is hoped that through Jolene’s story and a bit of my own, the reader realizes that persons with disabilities play a crucial role in building a more sustainable future; the opening of avenues through which they could contribute to society, combined with their assortment of talents, will help them reach their fullest potential. Persons with disabilities like Jolene and myself , are an untapped force for good we must draw on if we are to build a more sustainable society.