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: Practical Paralegalism

Paralegal Student Candidly Discusses Mental Health Barriers to Employment

By Lynne DeVenny

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I want future employers to know that, while some of us may need special arrangements, these will benefit you as it will maximize our performance and productivity. We will give you our best efforts, because we will be grateful for the chance to show what we can do. ~ Mark Sussman

I often hear paralegal students and graduates of paralegal programs discuss the challenges of finding employment in the legal field when they have physical and mental disabilities, but rarely have I seen anyone discuss dealing with mental illness more frankly or eloquently than Mark Sussman, a Canadian paralegal student at Seneca College's Newnham campus.

In two well-written articles, "Give us a helping hand - we'll pull for you!" and "An investment that would pay off," Sussman discusses his struggles with bipolar illness and the efforts he is making to lead a productive life, including training as a paralegal and advocating for people with disabilities - despite being told that he would never be able to work. He clearly understands the additional hurdles he faces in locating a job after graduation, a substantial challenge for most new graduates in this economy, without or without disabilities:

Students like me do sometimes struggle to get to class, struggle to stay in our seats, and afterwards struggle to make it home. But we accept this because we want a better life, we want to contribute our talents and abilities. I have gradually reduced my accommodations, however, because I suspect that when I graduate next year, employers will not be so generous. As a paralegal, time pressures are absolute, and I want to be able to cut it.

Sussman says, "I have decided that, in spite of my disability, I will succeed in life." I'm hoping that there is a future employer out there who will work with his challenges and give him a chance to succeed in the paralegal profession.

Sources: The Star; healthzone.ca

Full post as published by Practical Paralegalism on May 01, 2010 (boomark / email).