Hi Margie...
Thanks SOOO much for your lovely message of support! I can't tell you just
how much it meant to me! And you're SO right about how some businesses
perceive those over 35 as being "handicapped" by their age. At least in a
highly technological business.... as most are today, considering.
At the bottom of this message, I'll append a copy of the message I just posted
on the list which'll let you know that things worked out just fine for me!
Truthfully, I'll have to give MSN credit where it's due... 'cause they
could've cared less about the respective age of the staff members when they
hired us on. And I don't think age makes a helluva lotta difference to 'em
now, either.
This is NOT saying that at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, WA that
hiring on the "over 35" bunch might not be met with some resistance... They
all seem very youthful THERE to me! All 15,000 of 'em!) <grin> THEY
physically work at a location, whereas MSN is "physically located" in
Cyberspace!! So who CARES if someone's 80 years old or even a 100 if they can
type, and have a good mind while their logged on!
The fact of the matter, in my case at least, Margie, is that I'll NEVER be a
techie or a programmer because to my bones, I'm an artistic-creative type, and
it'd be a real waste of my talents for them to try to force me into becoming a
techie. THAT would actually be contra to the reason they hired me in the
first place!
Kinda makes me wonder if at the time, there was as many adaptation problems
for the populous during the golden age of the machine, in the mid-to-late
1800's.
Following is a copy of my list-message:
--------------------
>Heartfelt thanks to the many kind and thoughtful folks who emailed me and
>posted here offering encouragement and support after reading of my
"HTML->coding-and-mouse-plight" post.
>UPDATE: I DID take action (after gritting my teeth) and emailed a fellow
>MSN forum manager telling him about the problem I was facing and asked >for
his help. He immediately responded with, "Of COURSE I'll help you!!" >And I
had the best night's sleep in months last nite! <great big sigh of >relief.
>I relearned a couple of valuable lessons from of this experience: " People
>aren't mind readers. Generally, if you don't ask, you don't GET." Also, to
>stand on pride is ok, but it sure can tie you in knots, cause you to lose
>sleep, and complicate your life if you put that pride in front of you like a
>shield! After all, if a situation's desperate enough, WHAT are you saving by
>being proud?
>Thanks again all you dear people...
>With love...
Thanks again, Margie!!!
Barb
----------
From: PARKINSN: Parkinson's Disease - Information Exchange Network on behalf
of Dick Swindler
Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 1997 11:13 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN
Subject: Re: This Is War...
Barb - Hang in there! We're all rooting for you. It was refreshing to read
someone else's experiences - and feelings - at length rather than in capsule
version. (Which in NO way means any of us are happy you're going through
this!) But so many PWP have been there in one form or another, since there
are so many more young onset PWP who are still working when diagnosed. I
hope you do feel better for having shared that, because I'm willing to bet
your openness and honesty did a lot of us a world of good.
And speaking as a caregiver rather than a PWP, I can tell you from
personal experience that the world of business is LIKE THAT if you have any
perceived handicap. In our business (I retired a year ago), it was a
handicap to be above the age of about 35. And technology marches on - over
bodies if it must. Like you, I'm no technological wizard. I just turned 51,
so missed out on the early computer experience that the younger managers took
for granted. That didn't mean I wasn't ever going to get it! I just didn't
start from the same base, and it took me a little longer initially. However,
the assumption made about all of us "oldies" was that we were "computer
resistant," not to mention resistant to progress, and all the other goodies
we've all heard.
Anyway, add to that PD and its attendant difficulties, and I know you're
between a rock and a hard place. I don't have any helpful advice to offer,
but lots and lots of empathy - just wanted you to know we're here for you,
and make sure you know how much you've helped by sharing. Let us know how
the situation progresses and what you decide to do. Margie Swindler
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