Ageism

Ageism is basically being discriminated solely because of one’s age in the areas of employment, education, sport and the arts.

After losing my job after 21 years of employment in the financial sector, it was difficult finding a suitable job with a decent company in west Michigan. Even be chosen to be part of a State program to help mature adults regain employment helped after moving to Texas where there were more jobs than qualified persons to fill them.

States are willing to act on other discriminatory actions before age such as race or disability unless it’s part of the problem.

Back in those times, I did some writing about it about frustration, disappointment and failure that all affect us emotionally and physically from continuous stress headaches to heart attack and stroke.

With that, the presumption of being over a certain age makes one inept with technology or driving a vehicle. Even directions.

My encouragement to you is to stay active and to keep using your brain. A few times a week, I stretch my back while leaning forward head down thus pushing blood to flow to my brain. Alzheimer’s and senility are present on my Mom’s side which I started to forget things that scared me. The movement done consistently has made me sharper than ever.

In addition to keeping your brain sharp and physically active, I encourage to use your wisdom gained especially with your younger counterparts at work and family members. Wisdom allowed me to see a plot by owners family to get me fired and to remain quiet yet alert. Then, only later, to randomly mention to a owner/stakeholder about someone who reminds me of someone from my past. This person did as I thought of mentioning it to those who involved in the plot.

Finally, report ageism discriminatory practices to appropriate management plus report to your State government if it’s the best alternative. Go online to find your State’s workforce pages on proceeding to make a case against your employer and consider an attorney as well.

Yours Truly,

Leslie Elizabeth David.