One Key Fits All: Faith
by TyKiah Reneé Wright
How hard can it be to defy the odds, or should I say easy? How many
times will I let doors slam in my face, or how many times will I welcome
the second door of opportunity? Can I do things that society labels
uncommon? Better yet, watch me turn societys uncommon tasks into
everyday events.
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TyKiah Reneé
Wright |
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Like most people with disabilities, Ive faced all of these questions
and obstacles repeatedly. Ive learned that theyre overcome by one
key, the belief in things not seen as though they were the key of
faith.
Conquering Obstacles
Every child has dreams, but developing the will to pursue them can
ultimately set lifes standards. As a child, I mentally mapped out
my path of life. When I viewed the world through my bedroom window,
that path seemed so simple.
But outside my front door I soon found that simple would turn to
complicated and that Id be looking opposition in the face for the
rest of my life. Conquering obstacles became a game. I looked at each
obstacle as a challenge to be conquered - and with determination
and perseverance I won each time.
"My daughter will not live life not knowing how to write,"
was my parents reply to the doctors false predetermination of my
abilities. This experience foreshadowed the hurdles that were yet
to come in living with peripheral neuropathy (Charcot-Marie-Tooth
disease).
"Your daughter must be tested to see if she belongs in a special
school." This was yet another negative statement that my parents
had to combat.
"Her disability affects her hands and feet, not her mind,"
was their reply.
Needless to say, I attended all the schools of my choice, and my
family became my primary source of support and stamina. Watching my
parents fight my battles when I was still ignorant of the ways of
the world has efficiently equipped me to hold my own.
Having faith in God coupled with faith in myself allowed me to do
many things that society labeled uncommon, especially for someone
with a disability.
Becoming the first high school cheerleader in the city of Columbus,
Ohio, to pump up the crowd from a wheelchair is one example. Learning
to drive and obtaining two college degrees in six years were other
notches on a belt of tasks that others considered uncommon for someone
like me.
More Education, More Obstacles
My years at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, gave me the
chance to become more independent of my parents.
While attending college, I assumed a degree would help me find gainful
employment with a generous salary. I asked myself, What steps do I
need to take in order to position myself for a successful job search?
Studying human resource management gave me insight into the way job
recruiters think, and I realized that experience was a powerful factor
for college graduates in a tight job market.
As a college student I sought out job experiences that would increase
my knowledge of human resources practices. I searched for an internship
but found myself going from interview to interview with no results.
Evaluating the process and speaking with interview professionals,
I received feedback rating my interview as excellent and my resume
as well prepared. So what was the problem?
My answer has nothing to do with fundamental job-hunting skills,
but has everything to do with the obvious fear of hiring someone
with a disability.
Because I valued the experience, I accepted a nonpaid position in
human resources at Goodwill Industries. With a goal to build my resume
I was concurrently working in the HR department on campus.
An important door opened during my senior year when the federal government
came recruiting on campus. The Department of Energy was seeking interns
with and without disabilities. Working in the training department
at DOE allowed me to take my book knowledge and give it practical
application. I began to understand how to evaluate employee training
needs and how to effectively implement a plan to address those needs.
A summer experience with DOE turned into a full years experience.
To qualify for a year-long internship you have to be enrolled in college,
so I decided to tackle graduate school.
Ready for the Job Market
After finishing my MBA degree in five quarters, I was propelled into
the "real world." Having an optimistic view of life, I thought
Id prepared myself for a smooth transition.
But, despite improved awareness in recent years, the area of employment
still presents barrier after barrier for people with disabilities.
The barriers become more evident when youre trying to obtain a management
position.
After graduation I found myself on the job market as an overeducated,
underexperienced, black female who happens to have a physical disability
and use a wheelchair - pick a barrier, any barrier.
The smooth transition turned into a long rocky road that ultimately
landed me in a customer service position at a credit card company.
Who wouldve imagined that, after getting a masters degree, Id be
answering credit card questions?
I clung to my belief that "what the enemy meant for bad, God
meant for good."
Finding degree-related employment, despite an advanced degree and
two years experience, was an unanticipated frustration. But as I
walked that situation out, I walked right into Gods purpose for my
life to be a blessing to other people.
During my job search I realized that students need to put a much
greater emphasis on obtaining meaningful internship experience before
graduation. Employers are looking for experience, and that factor
doesnt change for job-seekers who have disabilities.
The Future Is Now
In 2001 at age 23, I decided to dedicate myself to the advancement
of all minority students and students with disabilities in internship
opportunities. I established the WrightChoice Intern Program (www.wrightchoice.org).
I designed WCIP to be committed to recruiting, developing and linking
tomorrows work force with todays opportunities. Our slogan is "Building
a Bridge Between Resource & Opportunity."
WCIP is a nonprofit corporation thats funded by grants. The funding
allows the program to operate and to hire me as the paid director
along with a paid college intern. Weve acquired several corporate
partners, and each year, we place more students in internships.
At 26, my life is just beginning, but I cant help thinking, "Whats
next?" WCIP serves the Columbus area for now, but I have dreams
of going statewide and then
With every situation I overcome and every barrier I destroy, I pray
that it makes the road clearer and much easier for the next person.
And for me, "Faith is the key to all of lifes challenges
dream the undreamable and think the impossible."
