Can you lift 50 pounds?

Ever since UAA discontinued the only Ph.D.-equipped program in Health, Outdoor and Physical Education in Alaska in 2005, I’ve been out in the job market. I’ve interviewed for some non-profit, school district, higher education (Outside), as well as a few private sector jobs.

The interview process for someone my age (55 and fearless) and at the advanced stage of my career affords a porthole view into agencies…ethics, prejudice, biases and perceived “realities.” One agency falsified data on a renewal application for federal funds, a district interviewer summarized my response to a question (I shared that my philosophy counseling at-risk youth was to “bring them to the edge of their comfort zone”) incorrectly and with venom, “So, you like to bring youth to discomfort.” Many interviewers laid out criteria inappropriately “weighted” for the level and responsibilities required. My last interview for executive director of a non-profit resulted, more or less, in an “educational experience” for the two interviewers. It went something like this:

First, I had interviewed once with the Valley Board of an agency who had expressed a concern regarding some non-compliance by some seasoned agency volunteers. The second interview with Anchorage-based personnel opened with questions about my philosophy. I shared that I am fully inclusive and look for supports needed by all to perform well, as well as being a consensus builder. I’d rather take the time to bring people together, include them in problem-solving and, with decisions relegated solely to the executive director, communicate effectively with all. One of the two interviewers didn’t really appreciate my perspective and pressed me to concede that consensus building was “unrealistic” and wouldn’t be very productive. I continued to share the importance of honoring all points of view, trying to bring polar “ends” together, then agreeing to disagree, if necessary. Then, follow-up with those whose views weren’t fully represented.

The interview continued with a set of criteria presented for the executive director, one of which was posed in question form: “Can you lift 50 pounds?” My mind raced back in time to about 15 years ago with my friend, Juana, a woman of color who experienced severe burns, as well as a double-leg amputation at the waist. She competed in the Midnight Sun Marathon (Fairbanks to Anchorage - 300 miles) in a hand-crank racing wheelchair and was a top finisher for many years. I then responded to the interviewer’s question: “You really need to frame that question as, “What supports would you need to lift 50 pounds?” I shared that the criteria and question, as framed, functionally eliminated many people who have the ability, but who may need support (i.e body position, assistive device, peer/colleague, etc.) to lift any weight. One interviewer then proceeded to give me a lecture on “reality,” the need to load and receive inventory, and implied I was disconnected due to my background in higher education. She said that my response wasn’t their “reality.” I, then, told a story about “reality.”

I introduced Juana. Then, shared that many times Juana would invite me to train with her. We’d be in places that were not accessible. She’d often jump down from her truck (amputation at hips) to ground landing on hands (she weighed about 90 pounds), then swing her torso through both arms ambulating to back of truck where she jury-rugged a rope hanging from spring-loaded cap and pull down and out and back of truck cap would open up. Then, Juana would pull down on another rope to bring down tailgate. Her wheelchair (about 30 pounds) was then dragged by rope to edge of tailgate, she’d reach-up and pull it down on top of her to the ground. She’d then climb into the chair and we were off. Many times we’d visit business locations and churches an she’d see Persons with Disabilities parking spots taken without stickers or appropriate plates. Juana made things happen and overcame perceived barriers. We once climbed a snow-bank at St. Mike’s to get to midnight Mass.

I explained to the remaining single, attending interviewer who appeared to be entertained by my answer (the other interviewer shifted her posture, putting left shoulder to me and tried to verbally end interview) that Juana could lift 50 pounds, but may need the support of a ramp, colleague, lift system, tie and pull system, etc. and that the question and expectation, as framed, is discriminatory (remember, I’m 55 and fearless). Then, both interviewers got condescending (listing my attributes) in an attempt to “close” the interview. Their behaviors in the interview (elimination oriented, non-consensus building) and their demonstrated core values (i.e. lack of receptivity to “supports” thinking, no inclusive decision making supported) reflected in executive director job criteria and interview left me with:

It is no wonder that, without inclusive decision making, the agency had some “non-compliant” seasoned workers. Also, people of color or who experienced disability lacked representation on the board. Maybe we need more diverse people of integrity, role models like Juana and the Iditarod’s Rachel Scdoris (musher with visual impairment) doing the interviewing? How can Juana and Rachel “get through” the proverbial door, if they are required, metaphorically and in reality, to “lift 50 pounds” without supports?

By the way, both interviewers “projected” the need for supports to lift 50 pounds (emotional and otherwise).

Paul Maguire has a doctor’s degree and lives in Palmer.