I haven’t posted anything in over a month. Even Google has written me off. My apologies for the absence. It has been a tumultuous couple of months. I don’t enjoy admitting what I’m about to admit, but in order for you to understand what I’m talking about, I feel that I must tell you folks what has been going on in my life.
After repeated job declinations, I went down to the local Disability office and applied for Disability. I never thought I’d be in a position where I’d have to do such a thing, but the sun doesn’t shine on the same dogs arse everyday. In the middle of July, I went down to the office and handed the lady that was interviewing me a two page list of conditions and ailments that I have and another list of doctors that could corroborate my story. It has been almost six months and everything that I stated has been verified.
I was not brought up to take from the government. My father recited JFK’s famous line, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country”. I grew up in a house where we didn’t want the government intruding upon our lives. My family shells out six figures a year in taxes to the state alone. I thought that I had paid in a considerable amount as well. In my naive stupidity, I reckoned that my country cared about my well being and would help me out during these trying times.
All I really wanted was assistance until I can finish up my degree, but the fact is that they really don’t give a damn. I’m not Black, I’m not Hispanic, I’m not Asian, and I’m not enough Native American to claim it. So, what it comes down to is the fact that I’m a disabled white man that is supposed to pay for every one else to sit on their fat arses. And, I’m supposed to work my fingers to the bone so a minority or an immigrant can go to college (no offense to my friends and folks I call family overseas, but you all would get free college over here.) and barely pass.
My GPA for this semester is 3.75. It’s not perfect, but I try really hard and study for hours on end. I’m a hard worker. All I’ve ever expected is the chance to succeed and move up the social ladder. However, this is not what one receives when one works his or her arse off. Several months ago I went in for a job interview to do Audits for a large commercial company. Trying to be honest, when the application asked if I was disabled, I checked the yes box. Big freakin’ mistake. The lad half my age asked me why I marked that box, so I tried to downplay it and said that I’ve always excelled past anything anyone has ever asked for me. After a few minutes of asking me questions, he looked over at me, and asked, “Why don’t you take a job as a cashier or janitor like other disabled people?”
I wanted to knock him the feck out, but kept my composure and left after he said he’d keep me on file. This past week has been a hectic one. I asked everyone to do their best to leave me alone, so I could properly prepare for finals. Of course, they did not. I should have just said I’m free all week On Tuesday, the day of one of my hardest written exams, I had to go with my cousin to work on a house for me Mum. Now, I love me Mum and would do anything for her, but it was a bad time to be asking me to paint and install tile flooring. Dr. Don and myself finished up about two in the afternoon and I came home.
When I arrived home, I noticed that the mail lady had been here. With hesitation, I checked the mailbox to see if I had received a letter from the disability office. By chance, there was a letter in there from them. I hesitated in opening it, but I did anyway. I was hoping and praying to get the assistance, so I could finish school unimpeded, but alas, it was a denial letter.
I called them up and said, “Let me get this straight, I applied for a gub’mint job and couldn’t get it because I’m too blind, but when I ask for assistance as a last resort, I’m not blind enough.”
My vision was just one wee thing on the application, yet they used it as an excuse to deny me. Yes, I’m a Southern American and I’m Caucasian. So the feck what? Look, I’m not a xenophobe. However, when I’ve seen blatant evidence that minorities are treated better than the rest of us, I tend to get cross! I used to work with a chap that was Hispanic. The government paid for his University fees as well as giving him rent and food money equalling about $1100 a month.
Everyone should be on a level playing field when it comes to jobs and education. When I finished secondary school, there was no free access to third level education. Parents of all races and cultures had to save for a long time to send their kids to college. As it is in the states now, if you’re an immigrant or are anything other than Caucasian, you can go to school for free and have free lodging and food.
I’m not a racist. I’m just stating the facts as I see them. We are in hard times. I realise that. All I was asking for was assistance for the next few years so I can finish University and make a difference in this world. But, they couldn’t do that.
I have a new outlook thanks to this denial. The US government can fuck off! I will always support the troops, policeman, and fire-fighters, but the politicians and greedy officials can screw somebody else over. I, and my family, have been screwed over enough! Don’t ask me for another mother fecking thing, government. Fuck off with ya.
My sister said it best the other day as we were shopping. She said, “Everyone from doctors to family and friends have called you retarded and written you off. You’ve out lived some of them and have done more in the last six years than any of them have in a lifetime.”
I will succeed. I will hike through rain, sleet, and snow. I will climb the highest peaks and never give up.
Do you know what happens when you kick a Mutt? He comes back stronger than ever and chews your effing leg off!
Have a grand week all…
In all fairness, there are shots of grand architecture, landscapes, portraits, and lovely shots that tell compelling stories. Photography, at least in my wee opinion, is about evoking an emotional response in the viewers. The trick is to get the actual reaction 
