Many of my disabled peers find that the workplace gives up on them really quickly and a large percentage of us are unemployed or underemployed. Labor statistics show that employment rates for people with disabilities fluctuate but never very much.[1] And the employment gap between disabled and nondisabled people has been massive. [around 40%!] There is a combination of factors, including social acceptance, accessibility, equipment and physical and emotional endurance. To add to this barrier, many of the disabled population suffer from high levels of anxiety and stress, which requires a significant amount of support in the workplace. For example, many of the autistic people find themselves catastrophizing, which means that we go into worst case scenario fast.[2] Thus, it is very easy for our nondisabled peers and supervisors to give up on us because they don't understand our brains. Personally, as the farm writer, my story of struggles with physical and emotional endurance at View of Heaven was ongoing. Working for 4 hours at the bakery, measuring ingredients, was very stressful for me at first. The wonderful bakery staff was very patient with me and helped me and, particularly, to go from working 2 hours (when I first started) to working 4 hours was a monumental change which caused a lot of anxiety. View of Heaven did not give up on me with my struggle with this transition.
I know that the wonderful staff at View of Heaven does not give up on my peers and continues to support us. On a personal note, I have worked for the farm for almost two years. Yes, not consecutively, because I've needed breaks and time off to care for myself. But the View of Heaven staff did not give up on me. I felt a sense of relief and personal sense of calmness to know my job would be waiting for me. I was checked on periodically and was told that View of Heaven's door is open for me to return when I was ready. I am now a writer for the farm and I'm passionate about writing (especially fiction, and romantic comedies). View of Heaven has made it clear that there is room for us to develop some of our work interests, so we have employees that are gardeners, culinary lovers, singers, writers, artists, and those who love to work outdoors doing physical labor. View of Heaven is safe haven for us with special abilities.
Victoria Ramos
Farm Writer
Post script from the COO of View of Heaven Farm:
I asked Victoria to write about this subject after a different employee posed the question "Why have you not given up on me yet?" It was a stunning question. It made me realize how many doors had been closed to our employees along the path of their lives. The impact to their mental health as a result of this "giving up" is tremendous, because they learn to "give up" on themselves. It was reinforcement that my family and I are doing the right thing by operating this farm to provide a safe working environment for our neurodiverse and physically disabled staff. This is a job where they learn, grow, socialize, exude happiness, find acceptance, and in general find a place where they can succeed in life. And what they give back to our community is priceless. We are building community wealth! They bring us joy and laughter. They teach us more about ourselves than we would have ever learned in the "regular" world. All while baking us delicious food, growing healthy produce, and creating gorgeous artwork. And somehow, by their very presence in our midst, they give us a sense that all is right with our world. We can not thank them enough for this gift!
And we can not thank you enough for your gifts. For all who support us in the many ways that you do, thank you. If you are interested in helping us continue to support this amazing community, please click here to donate.
Blessings,
Katie Conaway
COO
Sources:
1 Forbes (https://www.forbes.com - October 31, 2022, author: Andrew Pulrang - Why is the Employment Gap for People with Disabilities so Consistently Wide?)
2 National Autistic Society (www.autism.org.uk - April 29, 2024, author: Lorraine MacAlister - Autism and Catastrophizing)