I was speaking to a friend the other day. I've been very depressed lately and it has been getting worse. For years, I've craved steady employment but as I've aged and poverty has taken a more solid footing, my disabilities have worsened. Almost all of the employment available in this community is retail and that involves standing for long periods of time, stretching, twisting, lifting... In other words, I'm no longer employable. And I feel so damn worthless because of it.
Contrary to the stereotype, most people of very low income yearn for a job. It's not about the income. It's about having stability in one's life, a daily routine. It's about giving and getting back, and being valued for one's reliability and the quality of one's work.
Here's Tatum, one of the WISE storytellers, talking about the importance of routine and doing paid work:
I really enjoy waking up in the morning and getting dressed up nice. It makes a whole difference to my wellbeing throughout that day. I’ve learnt that I need to get a job in the morning hours. I want a routine: shower, get dressed, go to work. That’s real important to me that it work out that way.
Listen to her story, as told in her own words:
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2 comments:
Since being laid off last year, I have been unable to find employment in Vancouver. I'll be turning 60 soon and I've burned through most of my savings. My occupation (Tech Writer) has passed me by and I no longer have the buzz words or quick answers to interview well. Even McDonald's has not called back. It's scary enough not having money but it's the lack of day-to-day social interaction and the feeling of self worth that comes with employment that I miss most. Unfortunately, I am not alone. It seems there are more and more of us. I see them walking along the seawall on weekdays with that same look of quiet shock on their faces. I wish you well and Tatum, too. I wish us all well.
Jymn, thank you for sharing with us your experience. I wish more of the pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps crowd would listen to people like you, and Tatum and all the others out there.
I've found myself growing more and more isolated, as I lose the ability to socially interact with people. Have always struggled with that but without the daily interaction and the antidote to poor self-esteem, the situation has grown much worse.
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