Hello,
My name is T'ajani Jer-Ray Shepard. I am from Fresno, CA , and I am now living in Miami Beach, FL. I am a male who is 23 years old. I suffer from a hearing disabilities; I am deaf at 90.63% hearing loss. I have earned two college degrees as far as my education field. I have been playing football since I was eight years old even with my hearing disabilities. Until now, my hearing disabilities is defeating me because it seems to be a problem for others who do not understand my situation. I do not know sign language. Even though I read lips, my speech is not always understood by others. From the outside looking into my situation, what do I do? I tried to continued with the sport I love the most, which is football. However, it seems I am being highly discriminated against. Even though I have documentation that verifies my hearing disability, individuals are telling me what I can or can not do because I physically appear normal to them. Honestly, I have never gotten any fair opportunities to prove myself to others.
I am a hard worker who loves to get the job done, to get my bills paid for, and to be able to have food on the table without stressing at night. All my life, I have been facing obstacles that keep repeating itself over and over, which is familiar to my hearing disabilities. I keep telling myself, "I can beat the odds. I have done it before. I can do it again."
Although my situation seems hopeless and it is unbearable at times, I still find myself questioning, "What do I do?" I am now living in Miami. I am applying for jobs. I may not be looking harder enough. Unfortunately, when an owner and manager see my documentation on my hearing loss, they seem to pull away and they tell me they will call me back. However, I never receive any calls regarding the jobs I am inquiring about. What do I do?
At night, I pray to God when no one is around, and I ask Him to open a door for me just give me at least one opportunity. I tell Him, "I won't let you down." All I can do is wait for my chance and keep living off my SSI. I am living in the moment one day at a time. This is the real live moment of T'ajani also known as Tee Shepard.
would a hearing aid or cochlear implant help at all? I know the problem with people understanding you is because you cannot hear yourself speak....
would a hearing aid or cochlear implant help at all? I know the problem with people understanding you is because you cannot hear yourself speak....
Hi Tajan
If you feel you can be an entrepreneur I have a business opportunity that will work for you maybe and it is even health related... on another note learning sign language is a good idea and it's not that hard I learned by some ASL certified YouTube videos .. here's my email if you are interested kcgraphicsonthego@gmail.com
Hi Tajan
If you feel you can be an entrepreneur I have a business opportunity that will work for you maybe and it is even health related... on another note learning sign language is a good idea and it's not that hard I learned by some ASL certified YouTube videos .. here's my email if you are interested kcgraphicsonthego@gmail.com
T'ajani.
Bleh, what's a 'disability', anyway?
Take a look a MY avatar over
T'ajani.
Bleh, what's a 'disability', anyway?
Take a look a MY avatar over
Wow, I have to say that first am very proud of you ! You are amazing , God will not fail you he knows how strong you are , do not give up and when you feel down look back at all the blessings and remember who is in control. :) I will also keep you in my prayers. Stay positive..Take care Shepard
Wow, I have to say that first am very proud of you ! You are amazing , God will not fail you he knows how strong you are , do not give up and when you feel down look back at all the blessings and remember who is in control. :) I will also keep you in my prayers. Stay positive..Take care Shepard
The world is cruel and it gets worse every single day, however, there's good people everywhere perhaps you're surrounded by selfish people/community. This is bump on the road might just be an opportunity for you, do not get down. I'm sure you'll get a helping hand. Thejoytogive@gmail.com
The world is cruel and it gets worse every single day, however, there's good people everywhere perhaps you're surrounded by selfish people/community. This is bump on the road might just be an opportunity for you, do not get down. I'm sure you'll get a helping hand. Thejoytogive@gmail.com
Tyana..have you ever look into Cochliare ear transplants?They wud make you look normal and hear normal.They are available and with your disability you shud absolutely qualify under..Americans with disability Axt..passed by Congress to get them done.Look into this..it's your answer for sure.Rush Limbaugh has them and he is totally normal.Look into it please..a new life awaits you..Tim D
Tyana..have you ever look into Cochliare ear transplants?They wud make you look normal and hear normal.They are available and with your disability you shud absolutely qualify under..Americans with disability Axt..passed by Congress to get them done.Look into this..it's your answer for sure.Rush Limbaugh has them and he is totally normal.Look into it please..a new life awaits you..Tim D
Tee - I hope you get this...There are government funded programs for people in need of a job with or without disabilities. Go to your local unemployment office (weather or not you are collecting UI benefits), and ask to enroll in the WIOA program. This is better known as the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act. Once approved, you will be able to get a lot of things done at no cost. You will be able to receive ASL classes to communicate via sign language. You also will be able to receive medical care to improve hearing with technology you currently cannot afford. As for the potential employers that are passing up on you because of your disability...I am sorry to hear about that. Being in Human Resources, it is heartbreaking that managers and owners are breaking the law when it comes to not even considering to hire you based on not hearing. REMEMBER THESE WORDS: "I am able to perform the essential functions of the job," you are applying for. If you know for a FACT that companies are passing you up because of your disability, file a lawsuit. Heck - go back to the same news channel or your local one in Florida, and get a reporter to listen to your story. I PROMISE YOU, if you make your situation public, there will be an over-pour of opportunities out there. If you were still living in CA, I would ask for you to come in for an interview and potentially work with my current employer.
Good luck Tee. I really want to know the result of what happens if you follow up with my advice. You are an inspiration to many, you just don't know it yet! :)
Tee - I hope you get this...There are government funded programs for people in need of a job with or without disabilities. Go to your local unemployment office (weather or not you are collecting UI benefits), and ask to enroll in the WIOA program. This is better known as the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act. Once approved, you will be able to get a lot of things done at no cost. You will be able to receive ASL classes to communicate via sign language. You also will be able to receive medical care to improve hearing with technology you currently cannot afford. As for the potential employers that are passing up on you because of your disability...I am sorry to hear about that. Being in Human Resources, it is heartbreaking that managers and owners are breaking the law when it comes to not even considering to hire you based on not hearing. REMEMBER THESE WORDS: "I am able to perform the essential functions of the job," you are applying for. If you know for a FACT that companies are passing you up because of your disability, file a lawsuit. Heck - go back to the same news channel or your local one in Florida, and get a reporter to listen to your story. I PROMISE YOU, if you make your situation public, there will be an over-pour of opportunities out there. If you were still living in CA, I would ask for you to come in for an interview and potentially work with my current employer.
Good luck Tee. I really want to know the result of what happens if you follow up with my advice. You are an inspiration to many, you just don't know it yet! :)
Keep your head up, young man. Your strength is inspiring. I agree with some of the other replies. You need to seek out companies that work with the disabled. They will be more apt to hire you. Stay strong and focused. Be persistent. It will pay off.
Keep your head up, young man. Your strength is inspiring. I agree with some of the other replies. You need to seek out companies that work with the disabled. They will be more apt to hire you. Stay strong and focused. Be persistent. It will pay off.
Tee my name is June Lacy, many years ago I lived in Louisville, Ky and there were many hearing disabled working there, I was amazed because I had never lived any where that seem to cater and respect the disabled as I saw it there, I was totally blown away and it gave me a respect for many of the businesses there I worked for a bank and we had many hearing impaired employees, don't give up...I lived there in the 80's and 90's....it seems they were ahead of a lot of other so called progressive cities , I've even considered moving back there for now I have a disability and understand how you feel, I have to use a cane but it has nothing to do with my mental capabilities and the experience I have acquired...I have a bone disease, muscle disorder and a lung disease that I have lived with for a long time...I am a fighter and I keep fighting....I have never been on disability nor do I want to, I want to work...though now I deal with age discrimination, for I am 57. I pray too for God to open the right doors...and I will keep you in my prayers. Much love my young brother.
Tee my name is June Lacy, many years ago I lived in Louisville, Ky and there were many hearing disabled working there, I was amazed because I had never lived any where that seem to cater and respect the disabled as I saw it there, I was totally blown away and it gave me a respect for many of the businesses there I worked for a bank and we had many hearing impaired employees, don't give up...I lived there in the 80's and 90's....it seems they were ahead of a lot of other so called progressive cities , I've even considered moving back there for now I have a disability and understand how you feel, I have to use a cane but it has nothing to do with my mental capabilities and the experience I have acquired...I have a bone disease, muscle disorder and a lung disease that I have lived with for a long time...I am a fighter and I keep fighting....I have never been on disability nor do I want to, I want to work...though now I deal with age discrimination, for I am 57. I pray too for God to open the right doors...and I will keep you in my prayers. Much love my young brother.
Hello Taj, I too have a hearing disability, however it is not as severe as yours. I can sympathize! Believe it or not, at this stage of the game it may be a good idea to apply to places such as: UPS, FedX, etc. You may be able to become a driver for FedX. And, for UPS..... a package handler. These are very good income jobs and your hearing does not need to be perfect.... in that you will be delivering packages and also driving. That is, if you enjoy driving. You know that the holidays are right around the corner, and they will be needing more employee's. These companies also have great benefits too!! Just a thought..... sometimes we need to "switch gears" regarding work and income. Please tell me what you think! Eileen
Hello Taj, I too have a hearing disability, however it is not as severe as yours. I can sympathize! Believe it or not, at this stage of the game it may be a good idea to apply to places such as: UPS, FedX, etc. You may be able to become a driver for FedX. And, for UPS..... a package handler. These are very good income jobs and your hearing does not need to be perfect.... in that you will be delivering packages and also driving. That is, if you enjoy driving. You know that the holidays are right around the corner, and they will be needing more employee's. These companies also have great benefits too!! Just a thought..... sometimes we need to "switch gears" regarding work and income. Please tell me what you think! Eileen