Work For All

I’m sure we’ve all overheard stupid things said at home or work, for example:

• “Why are you going to the dentist?”
• “I can lead you to horsewater, but I can’t make you drink.”
•  “It’s half of one, six dozen of another”
• “Don’t look at me with that tone of voice!”
•  “I’ve lost my car keys!” (response) “Where did you last have them?”

Or in the context of SCI vocational rehab (VR) I’ve heard:

• “People with a SCI would be great working in call centres!” (from a case manager)
• “Yes her 2nd floor office is wheelchair accessible”… “is there a lift?”… “no!”
• “They need to have everything else sorted before they contemplate a return to work” (from a rehab ‘specialist’)
• “People might be offended if you discuss work during their inpatient stay” (from an insurer)
• “They’re too busy focusing on their rehab to think about work!” (from an OT)
• “We have a disability toilet but it’s being used as a store room!” (from an employer)

I’m intrigued and occasionally alarmed by what is accepted as common knowledge or best practice in SCI Voc rehab and yet facilitates at best mediocre return to work outcomes, often an inadequate VR experience for the SCI consumer, and delivers questionable value to purchasers. Einstein once said, “Common sense is the sum total of all prejudices acquired by the age of 18.”

Once upon a time 99.9% of the population believed the world to be flat, that a phone could never work without a cord and more recently that man will never fly. What common held beliefs that are accepted by almost everyone as fact today will be proven as stupidity in the next few years? What kind of technology is required to scramble my atoms and send them for regrouping in foreign lands all in the blink of an eye? Beam me up Scotty! Impossible you say?

What commonly held beliefs accepted by almost everyone as fact today in relation to SCI VR, early intervention, VR service delivery models, practitioner capability, return to work facilitation etc will be proven as stupidity in the next few years?

9 years ago Andrew Hall was told by most that acute setting early intervention SCI VR was highly risking, too early to engage, insensitive, was ill-conceived, misplaced and not likely to successfully proceed! Thank goodness he rolled back and took a fresh perspective on what might be possible in SCI VR and as a result commenced a SCI VR service which has radically redefined SCI return to work rates in NZ.

To finish with another thought from Mr Einstein, ‘Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.’ Imagine a world where everyday people who happen to have a SCI all have a sublimely supported opportunity to return to meaningful work they love!