I just got done reading Laura Clawson's diary on 'The Sandwich Generation' (Should be in my recommendations), and I can't help but feel the need to add in my two cents because this diary fails to mention a segment of this generation that is particularly feeling the pinch. By that, I mean people like us: The disabled.
We feel the pinch most because even if we do hold employment, it's almost never gainful in any sense of the word neither financially nor socially. In fact, we're much more likely to be subjected to any number of workplace abuses because such employers know full well that we disabled folk face the most difficulty when it comes to finding and retaining employment.
People with disabilities of all stripes feel this pinch, from behavioral to mental to physical and sensory issues. It's something I've experienced for my entire adult life, and even coming as far as I have, I don't expect it to go away anytime soon. Considering I'm close to thirty years of age and practically bald, I expect it to get even worse because our society, being as self absorbed and sociopathic as it is, is obsessed with maintaining bullshit appearances.
I have virtually no hope for this getting better short term or even long term, because the systemic damage that's been done will take many decades to reverse, if that's even remotely possible.
Now, I know what some people are going to say, and let me tell you I've heard it all, so I'm just going to say this: Until it's happened to you or a family member, you have no right to tell us we're making excuses or shifting blame. I personally believe the system is broken beyond repair because of the simple fact that the moneyed class have been able to buy and control every facet of our country unchecked. Of course, that's been the nature of the country since Washington, and those who've tried to change that are little more than footnotes or slogans in history.
To be fair, I'll say there's been some success in changing the system, but unfortunately, like I said in an earlier diary, we've turned the clock back to the 1920s, at least economically speaking. How we change that is anyone's guess, but as far as the job market goes, I'm done.
I know that I'm too young to be 'tired', but a person can only take so many punches and kicks before his fighting spirit gives out. I'll still volunteer and continue to help people as I have done, though, because as far as paying jobs go, I'm unemployable.
See you around,
Homer
4:55 PM PT: Sorry for the mistake with diary authors..hopefully it won't happen again.