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I’M NOT ONE to share a lot of personal information with the public, but today I really felt that something needs to be said. Or at least that we need another person to say it again.
I am a 26-year-old woman who happens to have albinism. Albinism is a comparatively rare genetically inherited group of conditions. It causes pale skin which burns easily in the sun, virtually white hair, very severe short-sight and photophobia (a severe sensitivity to light). Worldwide, one in 20,000 people is thought to be born with the condition.
Living with albinism means overcoming visual impairment, a propensity to burn and coping with being visually distinct. But, apart from that, we are absolutely “normal” in every way.
2017 in a narrow-minded world
In 2017, why am I living in a world with so many people who are still so unaware and narrow-minded? I’m asking people to think about this. Talk about it.
Maybe you know someone from a minority group, like someone with a visual impairment, hearing impairment or physical disability. Do they deserve the life they want and are capable of? Not everyone looks “different” and nobody deserves to be treated as if they are different.
I have had so many knockbacks and faced so much prejudice in my life. I can’t go into town (that’s Dublin) without at least one rude comment being shouted at me. Or someone pointing and laughing at me. It’s not immediately noticeable I am albino but unfortunately some people realise and are too ignorant to treat me like any other person on the street.
Job hunting with my condition
I have applied for over 200 jobs in recent months and met face-to-face with over 50 people, some for company interviews and some agencies. I’ve done numerous phone interviews as well.
Yes, I have got through to second or third rounds interview and yes, some interviews have gone better than others. At many interviews people have said things like “are you okay sitting in that light?” Or they stare very noticeably at my nystamus (shaky eyes) – something that I cannot control.
Am I disputing that I just wasn’t right for some of these roles? Absolutely not. But to realise that even a fraction of these people are so unfamiliar with someone who isn’t “normal,” and are worried about how to train me, is so disheartening.
I don’t need to alter anything within my workplace. I have never had issues doing my job, seeing things or made any mistakes due to my visual impairment. Yes, we all vary in our needs but nobody needs too much support or anything that is that different to the average new employee. And even if anyone did, does that mean they don’t have the right to the job, just because a fraction more effort might need to be made by employers, or trainers?
I have mainly been applying for reception roles as this type of role is something, even with my albinism I can still excel at and enjoy. I have asked for a lot of feedback and haven’t received any negative or even constructive feedback. It’s all been very positive. This is why I find it so frustrating.
Rejection affects mental health
Unemployment and making somebody feel inadequate hurt. It’s no wonder so many people struggle with their mental health as a result of them.
I feel extremely isolated at the moment as the people I surround myself with are all working and doing well. I feel very left behind and it’s hard to stay upbeat and positive when you’re spending an incredible amount of time alone and struggling.
Am I that different to my sister? My twin brother? My friends? Any person on the street? No I am not. Does it slow me down in work? No. Does it cause hassle or problems for other people? No.
I hope for the life I want
I do hope. I hope for the life I want, the life I deserve. I have worked hard my entire life, to keep up, so I can have the most “normal” life I can.
I have met some amazing people over the years who have taken an interest in me and who are understanding. I hope that I meet more of them. I hope they spread their good nature and in turn create a more understanding and positive environment for us all. We can all benefit from putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes and walking around in them.
Most of all I hope this reaches someone who needs to hear it, hear they are not alone in whatever obstacle they face. I hope that we can all live full and happy lives.
Sinead McManus is a 26-year-old woman who happens to have albinism. She studied counselling and psychotherapy. She loves to travel, read and spend time with the people in her life.
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Can I have my money back now
It’s like’…..burning your furniture – to keep warm!
Why are PwC saying this instead of IBRC and NAMA?
As property prices start to rise nama , ibrc start to dump property
Can someone explain why?
Dumping loans philip, not property. They’re Dumping the loans as they’re non-performing and want to get them off the balance sheet.
If they had the patience, they’d put arrangements in place to allow the properties to return to positive equity and then seek a sale, this recouping more of the tax payers money.
Unfortunately, they’ll sell the loans for a discount and allow the new purchasers to do this and net a tidy profit.
The article outlines that IBRC (IBROKE would probably be a better name) will offload € 15 billion in loans.
Yet the linked article tells us that IBROKE have already offloaded 90% of its loanbook, € 19.8 billion out of € 21.7 billion leaving just € 1.9 billion on hand.
This can only mean, if the previous article is correct, that it is NAMA that is offloading the majority of the loans.
Why the subterfuge?
Why make people think that this is some kind of joint enterprise when it is NAMA that is leading the charge?
Have the shiny suit brigade from the canal something to hide?
Given their obsession with secrecy it would not surprise me if they have, perhaps selling the loans to some preferred customer with an inside track at a serious discount.
The way things go it will all be wrapped up before we know anything, plus ça change.
Who in their right mind would buy this junk?
It might only be worth 30% of face value but if you buy it for 20% it’s a good deal. For the buyer anyway.
@ Irish Revolution
The Banks?
Hedge funds bought it. They will now sell off all the ghost estates etc at a lower price so people that have houses for sale at the min will eventually have to sell for half or take them off the market.
Fab house here in drogheda asking price €325. Hilarious. You could now nearly get a house for that on raglan road or ailsbury road!! So that house is realistically worth less than €150 really.
People and notions ha
What about Bank of Scotland selling on my mortgage & others in their Irish portfolio to a company called Tanager Ltd.
I’m in a tizzy all day because I don’t know what it means for us.
have your say