Physical Disabilities and Unemployment

My dad use to be a nurse, working along side my mother.  They travelled all over the world, including the middle east or working on reserves in the north.  He loved his work and he loved traveling. He was the type of person that always needed to be on the go.  Unfortunately, one of his work trips called him again to the north.  On the way to his destination his plane crashed and he suffered severe injuries.  His injuries disabled him to the point that he was unable to be a nurse any longer.  As the years passed, he slowly started to get more and more depressed.  I never understood why this caused him so much depression at a young age. I thought that since we were still here, his family, that was all that should matter.  From my previous research on older adults, it was noted that a significant type of treatment for those suffering from a mental illness is working, by having a job.  By being in the professional work sphere, that person feels that they have a purpose in this life. And it was noted that having a purpose is a significant determinant for mental health and well being. 

 We live in a society where having a career is a major factor in defining who we are, how we live, and how others see us. Relating this to my father, his physical disability took away his purpose. It took away something that he had been working towards his entire life. So that purpose, that kept him motivated every day, was lost. From that perspective I understand why this loss caused him to be depressed. But having a physical disability does not only affect that one person. My mom than had to take on all the responsibility.  She had to work full to over time to support a husband and her two children.  I could tell that after a while it was starting to take it’s toll.  To a young girl I did not recognize that she was depressed, but now realizing the cue’s and symptoms of depression, I recognize she had suffered from it as well. 

For all the age groups put together, the employment rate for people with disabilities was almost 44% compared to just over 78% for those without disabilities. That makes a 34% difference. (Canadian Association of Professionals with Disabilities, 2011).  Sustainable employment is a major issue amongst people with disabilities.  It is even more difficult in securing and sustaining employment for those who have a certain types of disabilities- those that are perceived as more real or severe. Those that do attain a job find that they are too part time or short term to be able to contribute enough hours to be eligible for employment insurance (Canadian Association of Professionals with Disabilities, 2011). So again, the financial aid that they need sometimes is not available.  There are people with disabilities who have given up looking for employment out of frustration and sadness of coming up short. The continual rejection and barriers that a person with disabilities faces in terms of employment eventually takes a toll. It takes a toll on an individual emotionally, physically, socially and financially especially when there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel (Canadian Association of Professionals with Disabilities, 2011).

It is not surprising the impact of unemployment has on a person with a disability because work impacts every aspect of our lives. It impacts the ability of someone to have a good life, to be involved in opportunities, take risks that bring a feeling of independence. It impacts such critical aspects of our lives that as a society we do not think about; like the ability to move out and get a place of our own, the choice to remain single, to enter into a relationship, ability to have children, to socialize, access to home ownership, transportation, health care. Even more areas such career opportunities, planning for retirement, and active community involvement are affected (Canadian Association of Professionals with Disabilities, 2011). 

Unemployment is a problem for physically disabled persons that is still persisting today.  Looking more closely at the affects that unemployment has on a person, it is not surprising that epidemiological studies have reliably shown that those with a physical disability have increased rates of emotional and behavioral difficulties and more incidences of mental health issues (Australian Psychological Society, 2001). Those suffering from a physical disability have more negative life experiences than those with no physical disability (Australian Psychological Society, 2001).  The epidemiological studies have shown that some physically disabled people lack meaningful career opportunities because of their handicap and as a result there is a heightened career stress (Australian Psychological Society, 2001). The sum of all of these factors have a huge bearing on an individuals mental health.

-Morgan

References:

Citizenship and Immigration Canada. (2010). Adapting to culture shock. Retrieved from:

Canadian Association of Professionals with Disabilities. (2011). As it stands now.... Retrieved from: http://www.canadianprofessionals.org/about.htm

Australian Psychological Society (2001). Physical Disabilities. Retrieved from: http://www.psychology.org.au/