Disability, work & studying

I have been wondering a lot about studying & work these days. I have also, naturally, pondered my disability in contrast with these things. The things I found out in my ponderings were that disability can also be very helpful (instead of it being a hindrance).

In my course of university studies, I have found out that my disability has improved my creativity by forcing me to think differently. This means that I have found alternative routes that can totally bypass stairs or locked corridors. This has been really important in programming, because one can think more ways of doing things with an open mind. And I have more motivation to keep my physique up as well :).

Working is really important (but not the most important) part of one's life, although not compulsory part. I haven't been in working life yet, but my experience of work comes from separate sources. My friends have told me that they like working since one doesn't need to do any homework anymore :). I have to agree to this since I hate to work at weekends, unless its totally necessary (like home chores, which I have to do).

I have also realised that my disability has given me physical advantage over others. My wheelchair isn't stick-controlled, so I have to use my hands a lot. Especially shoulders, which are a bottleneck for many programmers, are in very good shape. Although they are a little tight at times, I can always go for a stroll and then they are good as new. Therefore, the physicians in IT-businesses should develop a ground-attached wheelchair for the programmers to exercise on.

Finland's president Tarja Halonen gave an interview to Helsingin Sanomat where she said that all disabled people should have work. I couldn't agree more with her, since work is a priviledge that should be available to anyone. And the separation between disabled people and "normal" people would grow even larger if the diabled people would just rot in care-homes. That would be even more expensive to the society than having them get work and be a part of the society. I also wish that employers would consider disabled people in their payroll more than now. I have been blessed with the opportunity to work in an IT-business from home, where the best place for me to work in is.

Thats all for now, Take care everybody :)