Bryon Riesch a graduate of Marquette University came in to talk to our PR Tactics II class on October 18th about working and communicating with people who have disabilities. I am familiar with working with people who have disabilities because of my Resident Assistant position on campus, but it was very interesting to listen to Bryon talk about communicating with people who have disabilities in a more professional setting.
Bryon is C5 quadriplegic, meaning he is paralyzed from his chest down, due to a slip ‘n’ slide accident he was in during his college career at Marquette University. He was 19 when he and his friends were having a contest to see who could slide the furthest on the slip ‘n’ slide and when Bryon slide his hands came out from underneath him, his chin hit the ground and that was it; Bryon was paralyzed. He graduated in 5 years with a double major in Information Technology and Marketing after that. While at Marquette Bryon learned how to cope with his new disability.
After graduating from Marquette Bryon got involved with Goodwill, a company that helps individuals with disabilities obtain jobs. Goodwill is a phenomenal organization that helps people with disabilities not only find jobs, but also become comfortable with themselves and their disability. After working at Goodwill Bryon got a job with Northwestern Mutual doing coding. Bryon learned a lot about himself through these beginning positions. After working at Northwestern Mutual Bryon got a job at R&R Insurance Services as a project manager where he got to learn a lot more about himself.
In 2001 Bryon started the Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation. After his injury a group of people put a golf outing together to pay for the expenses of Bryon’s accident. It went over so well that they continued the golf outing, this year they raised $250,000 and to date they have raised over $2 million dollars. The foundation goal is to help people like Bryon pay for the expenses of being paralyzed and also to find a cure.
When Bryon first had to communicate with people who have disabilities he was scared, but then he realized they are no different from anyone else. Everyone deals with a disability in some way or another and people have to learn how to manage that disability and do things differently than others. Even though you may not see someone’s disability doesn’t mean they don’t have one.
There are so many opportunities that are opening up for people with disabilities around the world. Technology has helped assist people with disabilities live normal lives. Bryon talks to his computer and it types what he says by using voice recognition. Bryon’s iPad has allowed him to be more productive in meetings and classes, He is able to record a whole meeting and later on he can play the recording – this is helpful for Bryon because he can’t take notes. Bryon uses an environmental control program at home to help him live more independently.
Bryon’s tips for communicating with people who have disabilities:
- When dealing with and speaking to people with disabilities use common sense.
- Don’t stare at people when you are communicating, if you are curious, ask questions and don’t be afraid to talk to them.
- Talk to people with disabilities normally and introduce yourself.
- When you are in the professional world you are going to work with people with disabilities, they are just like you only a little bit different.
- If someone shakes your hand, shake the hand they offer to you. If they offer you a fist, give them a bump.
- If someone has a care worker talk to the person, not the care worker; be communicating with the person in the chair.
- If a person of disability has a dog do not pet or feed the dog; they are working and on the job. They are very cool animals who are trained to do a job and you don’t want to distract them from doing that job.
- When you are talking to someone who is disabled don’t be afraid to ask a question, but don’t ask the questions multiple times. They will need help with certain things, but don’t continue to ask.
- Most people with disabilities will tell you in the workplace how to work them and they will tell you what needs they will have throughout the day.
- Don’t stay away and don’t be afraid that they will take offense to it.
- If someone is in a wheel chair it is important to see eye to eye with them. Don’t be touchy feely and don’t slap them in the back.
- Help – Mechanical things do happen and go wrong with people’s chairs so help them if you see that happening.
- People with disabilities are hired or in school because they can do the job. Nothing is more offensive than when someone offers to do the job for them; they are there because they are capable of doing the job.
In the future when we, as students, are working and running companies and organizations give people in chairs and people with disabilities a chance. They are fully capable of doing the job.
Bryon is a very inspirational person and his story is very eye opening. All it takes is one simple accident and anyone can be paralyzed, such as Bryon. I’m sure when he woke up that morning of his accident he didn’t think he would be going to bed in a hospital that night with tubes coming out of every inch of his body. Bryon has a great sense of humor and he lives a normal everyday life. He loves watching sports, going out downtown Milwaukee, and he loves fishing and golfing. His story is one that I will never forget and he has taught me a lot about working with people who have disabilities. He has eased my anxiety of how to approach and talk to people in chairs and people with disabilities, they are people just like me.
“It’s important to be a giver so you can be a taker.”
