Success has different meanings depending on who you ask. Like everyone else, locating a job in today’s economy is a challenge for me.  Trying to find the right fit for someone with certain abilities or talents can be hard, but that is just a matter of opinion and choosing to step out of your “comfort zone”.  Many factors apply to the job hunting process, such as deciding which job I’m looking for, location, hours of work, transportation, developing and maintaining my resume.  This would be easier said than done for someone with a disability, like for example… Me!

I know what you’re thinking, why am I advertising something so personal online?  You’re also thinking there are people online and offline that could potentially harm me physically, mentally or socially. These are all concerns and questions. I’m putting myself on the front line not to get noticed, but to be heard! People with disabilities often struggle with challenging situations, such as job hunting, getting around or stepping out of their “comfort zone”. For me, trying to find a job is more of a challenge because of certain limitations, but I do my best to get around them and defy the odds.

We all have a “comfort zone”.  The difference is, it’s easier for people without disabilities to get out of that zone than it is for people with disabilities.  It’s a challenge for us because we are so used to our “comfort zone”, that it’s something we choose to not step out of. While people without disabilities can handle this change well, to some degree, people with disabilities are sometimes the opposite.  Like me for example, I can handle a change of toothpaste, or a change in a daily activity very well.  It’s the major changes that get to me such as a change in direction, or a change in living arrangements.

Although, change is a major part of society, so is the job/ career hunt.  Even in today’s economy, people are still finding jobs whether they have disabilities or not.  Though it’s more challenging for people with disabilities, the job hunt will still continue and in the end we will be successful.  What leads to success you may ask?  Well, success should be measured by where you are in life.  If you have graduated high school and or college, if you are where you want to be with your job, if you’re at a good weight or in your “comfort zone”, then yes, you may be successful.

If getting out of your “comfort zone” was important to you, and you have, there is your success.  What are you doing to be successful?  I’m asking you to think about yourself and your abilities.  Sometimes it’s good to hear about the good things in your life from yourself.  It makes for a great way to start any day.  For me, I have two poems published in a book, I have graduated from Glenbrook North high school and Oakton Community College, I have spoken in front of 200 people, and not only do I have a driver’s license, but I also have a car and am able to drive.  These are big accomplishment for me. That is what success looks like for me. What does success look like for you?

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About the Author

 This article was written by Adrian, one of our No Boundaries participants. NO BOUNDARIES – Train for Work, Train for Life, a Search, Inc. enterprise, is a “first-of-its-kind” experiential on-land and on-line workplace training center for individuals with disabilities.