My Story

The fuel of the fire: How did Creative Halcyon become to be:

Fresh out of college, the next step was to get a job at a company. It seems only logical, right? I never paid attention to my disability. Being disabled is normal for me. So when I started applying for jobs left and right, interviews were lining up. I was particularly excited about one interview because it was from an international well known company. The job description was written for me.

After emailing the company's HR person back and forth, we made a date to meet at the company's HQ.

What I didn't know, at the time, is that the HQ offices were on the second floor WITHOUT an elevator. And to get into the building itself, there were tons of tiny steps. Up and down. To anyone, it would be fine. To me, it would be a military obstacle challenge.

But like anything in life, I was up for the challenge. I WANTED that job! My job!

Something that I'm not sure many would know, the way I use my walker is the same way you would use a third or even fourth leg/arm. It's my ride or die balance act. My walker and me have climbed mountain tops to trail hiking. Heck it is even my clothing rank whenever I shop for clothes. There is absolutely nothing I can't do without my walker.

The minute I stepped foot on the company's HQ, their security person was looking at me as if I was in the wrong place. They called the HR person to come down to meet me because the security guard thought it was too hard for me to go into the actual office (which is on the 2nd floor).

In my mind, I thought

"You don't know me. You don't know what I am capable of. I am not a porcelain doll. I am not going to sue you if I fall."

Because c'mon I am literally a liability flag.

Moment later, I saw the HR person with the department director that was looking to hire this particular role. I stood up so fast, so giggly that I didn't let my leg catch up with my body. And it took a few tries getting up from the couch to get up. While I was getting my walker and brain to sync up, they were whispering to each other.

The more I glance at them, WHILE getting my leg to sync up (something I swear, whenever I am too excited or nervous, my legs want to walk faster than my brain can keep up), the more nervous I became.

"You got this" I was repeating it over and over in my head. YOU...GOT...THIS... And it did calm me down. So eventually after a long 1-2 minutes (but to me, it felt longer...much longer), I got up and shook their hands.

"Oh I didn't know you used a walker."

Was the first thing they said after Hello. Well thank you for being so blunt.

Two can play this game "Yea, it is a part of me. Have you ever seen a person with a walker before?" One of them said "yea, my grandmother." I said "Well, if your grandmother is still alive, we should race each other."

A few laughter. Breaking the ice. Good I thought.

Then one of them said, "But how do you get around?" Do you use a bus or a car? How do you talk to people? Do you sign as well?"

Thinking on my feet, I said (in a polite way) "I thought I came to be interviewed for x job? Does my condition affect this opportunity?"

HR person: "No, it doesn't. I just thought how would we make this work."

And then one of them said "Our HQ offices are not equipped for people like you unfortunately"

So I said "ok, how many 'people like me' do you have in the company, since on your site it's said you accept all types of people. There's always a way. You should know, you are a tech company."

And one of them said, "We have one person that has one leg shorter than the other one. Maybe you know this person." Mind you, I live in a smallish town where almost everyone is connected somehow.

"No, I don't know him. Does he sign? Ok can we start the interview?"

The whole time, I felt like I had to prove myself to them. It was awful. I did not feel I could show off what I can do but whether I practice my polite come back techniques. Not the point of the interview or the company's mission. I even practice before hand how to weave in their company's mission into my responses. But THIS just threw me off. Nonetheless I led it with grace. With every question they ask (all about website development and tech stuff), I answered. I even showed them a case study I did using their technology.

After 30 mins (which for me felt more), they asked me the ultimate interview question

"Do you have any questions for us before we go?" They didn't realize, but they opened the flood gates. "Yes I do. Just one: what is the percentage of people do you have in your company currently that are disabled and feel heard?" Mind you this is a big international company. So you would expect a decent number.

Yes I dropped a bomb on them, but I had had enough of their micro-attacks. "I think only one is in Mendoza."

"1% or 1 person"

"No, only 1 person."

"ohhh interesting..."

I walked out of their mad and frustrated and full of rage. I HAD TO DO SOMETHING! This can't be!!

And within a month of starting my business, I got a text message from the BossProject and they asked me to be a speaker and share my story. And the rest is history.

I grew A LOT. I learned a lot! Our voice and platform are the most important things we have online. Use it well and success will follow. I am a walking cliché, haha. Since then, I have helped A LOT of women and being a disabled advocate to speak up with their voices. From building inclusive and accessible funnels to adaptable launches that help shine a light on them!

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