Curse in Verse – The Boss (Part 1)

T Dainton on Nov 3, 2009

Tags: discrimination, Dissapointmet, DNA, employment, genetics, Hereditary Diseases, Huntington's Disease, Huntington's Disease Association, Performance, prejudice, work

The following poem is from a collection of 41 written by me to try describing Huntington’s Disease (HD).

This poem is Part one of a two parter. It’s clear that the workplace does not sit easy with those facing HD. The reference to HD being associated with “High Definition” television highlights the ignorance but, as with the genetic testing scenaro, once information is shared it cannot be taken back.

The Boss (Part 1)

Time for Claire’s Appraisal,

It was well overdue.

This time the boss became concerned,

At what he had to do.

The problem? Her performance,

Was clearly getting poor.

He couldn’t understand it,

She’d been his ‘rock’ before!

So when it came to interview,

Her boss tried helping out.

“Are there any problems Claire,

That I should know about?”

“I have HD” Claire bravely said;

“Your telly?” came reply.

The ignorance slapped Claire in face,

And she began to cry.

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Comments (2)

Northernlight on Jan 6, 2010
Ouch…like the slap at the end. Funny but so true, I suspect.
T Dainton on Jan 8, 2010
Thanks Northern.

I have had the majority of my family taken from me through cancer so I hope people don’t mind me using this comparator.

If someone goes into work and says they have found out they have cancer (even at the early stage when a cure can be extremely high in some cases) the whole workforce seems to understand and can make the work environment a supportive and helpful place whilst going through the process of treatment.

Mention HD though and the chances are you would be left with blank stares and feel it’s too complicated to try explaining, especially when you know bosses and colleagues alike are possibly going to be magnifying your symptoms for selfish reasons.

Curse in Verse – The Boss (Part 1)

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