Ive been waiting to post this because Ive been trying to work out the date and time before I posted... A few weeks ago the Department of the Navy (The Naval Shipyard) in Portsmouth contacted me and said that they wanted me to speak for their observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October. I was floored because Ive never done anything like this before in terms of the scope of what theyd like me to do. They want me to talk to their workforce of around 185 people in an auditorium style setting because they read the article about the Boston Marathon!! I told them that I had amazing family support from my wife Reneka and Mt mom Regina in 2013 and 2014 and my sighted guides Dennis and David were absolutely amazing. We had a fantastic time running together!! I also told them that Ive run some fantastic marathons with my Team Hoyt VB friends Maggie Seymour Eric Hovey Jennie Rainey Nick Ritz and so many others!! I also told them about all the riders we push with Team Hoyt VB and Ainsleys Angels and they said that was what they wanted me to talk about. I think itll be pretty cool and not because Ill be speaking. It will be cool because National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) occurs every October and 76% of people who are legally blind nationwide are unemployed. This is something I care about because I think that if people with disabilities can be treated equally in normal activities like sporting events then they should also be treated equally in every other aspect of society from Employment to Housing to anything else. So its cool because I have many friends with different disabilities who have struggled to find work and it is so much harder. If theres anything I can say or do to make it easier or to help change other peoples perceptions who are doing the hiring then hopefully this will change the reality that so many Americans with Disabilities live with on a daily basis. It is for that reason and the fact that I will be able to share the message of Yes You Can with them that I am so humbled, and honored to be asked to speak up! The event will take place Oct-28th from 11:30 to 12:30 at the shipyard!
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 21:11:23 +0000
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