This unique position can be likened to one of those grabbers that short people use to get things down from high shelves, because short people still know what they want in spite of their physical inconvenience. The same logic applies to me.
Although I know how to get what I want and need, I require someone to do the legwork to obtain these things. Some of these things often take the form of human assistance, such as my paid support staff or volunteers. At times, I may need help with getting supplies, which can include naturopathic supplements, prescriptions, specialized equipment, house repairs, and tickets for a number of things. By helping me get such things when I request them, you are giving me stability and more time to pursue my passions.
It is easy for people to think they could rush right in there and give me everything that they believe I need. Oddly enough, this is the opposite from what is helpful from an assistant resource coordinator. To have the proper mind-set for this position, imagine that I am one of those people who does a thousand different things in one day, but I don’t have the time to screen applicants for my child’s next nanny. So, I has hire you to do this screening. I would be perfectly capable of hiring the right nanny for my child, but it benefits me to have you do this instead. In a real sense, I actually am this capable person.
Sadly, trusting my abilities may be harder than it may seem, because one of our societal stereotypes is that people with disabilities are not capable of much at all. This belief is so prevalent, a lot of us are blind to it unless you have had experience unlearning these biases. Through everyday interactions, this job can help to make people aware of this damaging stereotype. One of the reasons why it is so harmful is because it makes a lot of us want to make decisions both big and small for people with disabilities, preventing them from reaching their own unique potential.
I have made so many accomplishments, not because people pushed me to be my best. Oh goodness no… I am so accomplished because I have pushed myself in the directions I have wanted to go, and my family and friends have enjoyed watching me do it. Just think about what my life would have been like if they coddled me and thought I was not capable.
You will receive training on giving me the resources that I want and that empower me to do and feel accomplished in my own life.