Finding My Way Back to Work

Finding My Way Back to Work: A Journey of Fear, Perseverance, and Purpose Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month through my personal story.
​By Marissa Shaw | The Mobility Mentor


October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month — a time to celebrate workers with disabilities and to reflect on what true inclusion means.
For me, this month feels deeply personal. After decades of education, advocacy, and hesitation, I finally started my first official part-time job in my 50s — and it’s changing how I see myself and my place in the world.

My Story: From Education to UncertaintyI’ve spent years preparing for this moment. I earned my Bachelor’s degree, then my Master’s, believing those credentials would open the doors I had worked so hard for. Instead, I often found those doors tightly closed.
Sometimes, I was told I wasn’t “qualified enough.” Other times, people said directly that they didn’t want to accommodate my disability. Hearing those words again and again wore on me. It wasn’t that I doubted my ability — it was that others refused to see it.

The Fear Beneath the SurfaceFor many of us with disabilities, there’s another quiet fear that shapes our choices: the fear of losing our benefits. Working can be a risk — one that might jeopardize essential supports like healthcare or personal care assistance.
So, even though I wanted to work, I often stayed on the sidelines. I told myself it was safer not to try than to lose everything I depended on. But inside, that decision left me restless. I wanted to contribute. I wanted to grow. I wanted to prove that I was more than my fears.

Finally Stepping ForwardWhen I finally accepted a part-time job, I was nervous — but also proud. This wasn’t just about earning a paycheck. It was about reclaiming a part of myself that I had long buried under doubt.
Now, every workday feels like a small victory. Every time I clock in, I remind myself that I’ve overcome years of rejection, fear, and uncertainty to be here. It’s a powerful reminder that courage doesn’t always roar; sometimes it whispers, “Try again.”

What This Month Means to MeNational Disability Employment Awareness Month isn’t just a government campaign or a hashtag — it’s a reminder that people with disabilities have talent, education, and passion that deserve to be seen.
We need workplaces that recognize ability before assumption, and opportunity before limitation. Because when people with disabilities are included, everyone benefits.
If my story helps even one person see what’s possible — whether it’s an employer rethinking what inclusion looks like, or a person with a disability daring to apply for that first job — then I’ve done something meaningful.

A Message to My ReadersTo anyone standing where I once stood — fearful, uncertain, and waiting for the “right time” — please hear this:
It’s never too late to begin again.
Your story matters. Your skills matter. And you deserve to be part of the workforce, not waiting outside its doors.
This month and beyond, let’s keep pushing for inclusion, accessibility, and understanding. Together, we can change the narrative — one opportunity at a time.

Call to Action
​If this story resonates with you, share it with someone who might need encouragement today.
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