In an effort to secure stable employment, I've applied to many temporary agencies and a few business in my area via the internet.

I often receive a phone call or an email for an interview if I feel that the company and I are a good match, however, there are a couple of things that occur on a regular basis that I find most disturbing. The first thing is that I have a severe speech impediment caused by a medical issue that happened a year ago, I sustained brain damage to a part of my brain that causes certain involuntary facial and mouth movement, my mouth and tongue no longer function properly. whereas before, I had a perfect mastery of the English language as well as a few other languages.

I have noticed that the first thing these people notice is the way I speak, or that I use my hand to support my lower jaw so that it will open and close at the proper intervals, that I may enunciate effectively. In the end, they find a nice way to say " you're some kind of a freak, no way you're working here".

What ever happened to being qualified for the position, physically capable of handling the position applied for? My skill level is genuine to a greater capacity than that for which I've applied but I don't choose to work in a position that will require a great deal of speaking right now, some, but not a great deal.

I've used my resources to get to this job interview for a canned response and a limp, weak handshake, that feels like I'm wiggling a cold dead fish, ugh!

When I was much younger, I was a different person, made a few mistakes, not a nice boy who didn't play well with others, now I have a felony, 20 some odd years ago, they still bring that up, REALLY? So I'm not perfect but who is? If I'm not mistaken, even the first colonist who came to this country were " on the lamb" fleeing persecution from Europe, "how soon we forget" never mind the fact that I am fully capable of handling the position or that I'm an honorably discharged veteran of the US. military, no, all they seem to look at is the man I was then and not how we may be of benefit to each other now.

I hope that one day soon Corporate America will grow up and realize that we're not all perfect. Best wishes.