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When is a issue Not a Problem? When It’s An Opportunity.

visitor of the blog Melissa just recently sent me this question:

I tore a ligament in my ankle a few months back as well as have been sporting white, ever-so-lovely athletic tape on a everyday basis since. This hasn’t been an problem during winter, the season for several layers of opaque tights, however the season for using gowns as well as skirts without drawing in odd looks is coming up soon. Not only that, however I have a few events coming up extremely swiftly where I requirement to wear a gown in somewhat fancier scenarios (where neither heavy wintertime tights nor knee-high boots, my wintertime solutions, are appropriate).

On a everyday basis, I have white tape reaching in a semi-spiral half-way up my shin. It wouldn’t be as much of an issue, however I’m a 23-year-old trainee as well as have to concern about things like making great impressions at task interviews as well as as I try to get into grad school. Unfortunately, just leaving the tape off isn’t one of the offered solutions! And, as I pointed out before, there are events where I will be expected to wear skirts or dresses.

Do you or your visitors have any type of tips about exactly how finest to increase to the challenge?

I let this sit in my inbox for a while since I didn’t understand exactly how to response it. It’s not that I didn’t have any type of tips for covering the tape; it’s that I didn’t have great tips for getting Melissa to stop wanting to cover the tape, as well as I believe that’s the genuine problem. It’s absolutely natural to want to hide anything that may stand out, or phone call unwanted interest to yourself, or that seems like a flaw. nevertheless … NOT covering things up is, long-term, the much better solution.

I don’t want to be all “Disabilities provide you strength!” because, frankly, that is the type of bullshit able-bodied people tell themselves to feel better. It sucks not to have full utilize of your body. That’s just true. (With the possible exception of being Deaf, which if you are increased in a Deaf community, doesn’t seem to be as poor — however then again, I’m not Deaf, so what do I know?)

However, any type of type of difference provides you the chance to discover exactly how to offer graciously with odd looks as well as clueless people, as well as THAT is a life skill whose value cannot be overestimated. as well as thankfully for Melissa, her White Tape of difference is purely momentary — she doesn’t deal with the grinding prospect of a lifetime of people asking “How’d you do THAT?” or stating “Wow, that appears like it hurt,” as well as so on. So you method your “Oh, thanks for asking!” action (the one that doesn’t really response anyone’s question) as well as remind yourself that just since somebody asks you a question, You Don’t really Owe any individual An Answer.

It likewise assists you recognize that Really, Honestly, nobody is Looking That Hard. When you go out of the home with white tape, or a honking huge zit, or a birthmark, or so on, you soon recognize that for each person providing you the double-take look, there are four, or five, or ten who casually glimpse your method as well as never believe of you again. Ever.

So, my recommendations to Melissa is not to concern about exactly how the taped ankle looks. It looks fine. (Remember, you don’t owe any individual pretty, either.) as well as if I were interviewing somebody for a task (something I’ve done a fair bit of) or grad institution (something I’ve never done), I’d be completely fine with it, as well as I’d most likely provide additional points to somebody who dealt with it in a natural as well as matter-of-fact way, instead of apologizing for it: e.g., “I just recently injured my ankle (or utilize a cane, or have a service animal, or whatever); are there elevators at the interview site? might you please set up for me to have additional time between interviews? say thanks to you for your consideration in this matter.”

(Melissa, you can likewise utilize this as a method to screen other PEOPLE: anybody who is a jerk or dismissive about your injury or special needs is a person you do not want to work for or go be a trainee of. believe me. Life’s as well short.)

So, this may not be the response you wanted, Melissa, however it’s the only one I’ve got. great luck!

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