As the meeting began we asked questions about the company and one of the questions was, "if an employer were to hire a person with special needs, what would you tell that person to convince him that he was making the right choice.' One of the answers was folks with special needs are very thankful for every opportunity.
I'm sure that gratitude is a quality that any employer is happy to find in an employee. I know that it's something that I look for and teach my staff. It's always easier to be around a person who goes about his/her business with a smile and an attitude of gratitude.
Many of you have heard me tell about my older brother Gary who has special needs. I've learned a lot from him about being thankful for what I have. It seems that he is always ready with a smile and a pat on the back even when things may not be going his way. He truly is a pleasure and a great example.
As the meeting went on today often times the point was brought up as to how we can help the folks with special needs. After a while I raised my hand to get a turn to talk and I suggested that maybe we were going about this the wrong way and instead of looking at helping the folks with special needs we should instead bring a message to the public of how our lives could be enhanced by working and being around people who are challenged in some way.
The other two reasons that were brought up as to why an employer should work with a special needs person were
1. They're always on time for work.
2. They always have this contagious energy and passion for life.
I don't know about you but I feel that if our work force could learn these lessons we would be much better for it. Just think, no whining, showing up on time, and being fired up about work. Sometimes the simplest lessons are worth repeating.
