"Self pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world." 

- Helen Keller

When clients tell me they can’t succeed because of the limitations presented by their disabilities, I sit with them, recognise their struggles, and allow for the grieving of what they have lost or will never have…but only for awhile. Then I tell them about Rick Allen, who was the drummer for the British rock band Def Leppard. Despite a complete amputation of his left arm due to a car accident, Rick went on to continue playing with the band, which subsequently went on to its greatest popular success.

I also talk about Christy Brown, who despite his inability for deliberate movements or speech due to cerebral palsy, became an author, painter and poet. I discuss Drew Carey, who despite depression and suicide attempts became one of America’s famous comedians and talk show hosts. Then I ask them the hard question. "If each of these people could overcome their disabilities, why can’t you?"  This dialogue now becomes the start to real vocational rehabilitation. 

After all is said and done, each of these individuals' success stories came down to attitude. An attitude that refused any limitations to define who they are and what they want to do with their lives. However, it wasn’t just their attitudes. It was the attitude of those around them.

In evaluating the capacity for return to work, rehabilitation and RTW professionals have all the medical evidence that spell out the specific limitations and accommodation needs. We have the test results that provide information on a person’s aptitudes and interests, their work and educational history, job analysis and job descriptions. We have more than enough needed to facilitate vocational rehabilitation. So why is it that there’s such a low rate of return to work? After many years of providing rehabilitation services, I have an educated guess. My opinion is that we’re absent an attitude evaluation…theirs and ours. 

When we come to the table of RTW planning, we bring with us our own unique set of assumptions, conclusions and biases. These things are based on our values and perceptions of what is real and what is true. The worker also brings these things with them, but more often than not, they remain unspoken and outside the area of consideration.

How we perceive a client's ability to make it is as important to a successful rehabilitation plan as is their perception of success.  We all come to the table with biases and agendas that have nothing to do with the return to work. Most times it is a matter of preconceived notions of that person and their capabilities. We take the information in front of us and wrap our perceptions around it. It can be subtle, like having bad experiences with a particular disability group all the way to taking reports at face value without taking the time to really know the person and form our own opinions. 

Take the example of Christy Brown or Helen Keller; how many professionals would feel rehab efforts were worth the effort and how many would just throw up their hands and walk away? So, it’s up to you. Will you give your client the benefit of the doubt or will you be just another barrier?