Therese Margareth Saranza is  paralyzed neck-down and relies on a ventilator due to a medical condition known as atlantoaxial instability. Growing up, Therese suffered the symptoms of her condition which included losing her physical strength, loosening grips on things, and excruciating headaches. Over time, her condition worsened and caused her to use a wheelchair in college.  

Coming from a family of scholars, Therese pursued her education fervently, never letting her physical limitations get in her way. She was an ace student who was accelerated from Grade 3 to Grade 5. She finished grade school and high school with honors and graduated cum laude in psychology.  

Unfortunately, increasing compression on Therese’s spine left her with breathing difficulties. A surgery in 2011 that attempted to correct her spine failed and she became a quadriplegic and unable to breathe on her own.” 

After battling self-doubt and depression, Therese mustered the courage to apply for the Client Support Executive position at Genashtim Pte Ltd in 2015. Genashtim is a 100% remote for-profit social enterprise founded to provide sustainable and gainful employment for disadvantaged groups, particularly people with disabilities (PWDs). 

Did Therese find the remote work position befitting? With complete honesty and some remote workplace adjustments, YES! 

Therese didn’t disclose her entire disabilities to the company at first. She struggled, however, as her responsibilities increased so Therese had to reveal everything about her condition. Founder and CEO of Genashtim, Thomas Ng, and her managers understood her predicament and made the necessary accommodations so she could maximize productivity and manage her medical needs.  

Assistive technology to Therese’s rescue. 

Therese works from home using Dragon Naturally Speak and Apple in-app voice command. These applications are immensely beneficial for her work, and she displays commendable skills when communicating and collaborating with the company’s stakeholders.  

However, her ventilator dependency and inevitable aging are reducing the volume of her voice. She navigates around this obstacle by seeking help from the people around her. Since they too have limitations, it’s still challenging.  

Therese’s colleagues are miles away but always there for her when she needs them. 

As a 100% remote company, Genashtim’s staff come from all continents except Antarctica, and a supportive network enriches their remote work experience.  

Empathy, understanding, and unwavering support are the hallmarks of Genashtim, and they are redefining the boundaries of inclusivity in the workplace. All of these contributed to providing a conducive work environment for Therese to thrive despite challenges.  

Since Genashtim has many disabled employees with varying cases and severity of disabilities and others from disadvantaged groups, Therese feels understood and has developed a sense of belonging to the organization and her colleagues.  

Therese also appreciates her colleagues’ confidence in her capabilities despite her severe physical limitations. They do not give her special treatment; neither does Therese expect it because it would make her feel different and hesitant to do what she can.  

Therese never tells clients about her condition because she wants to be treated the same way as any able-bodied worker. Genashtim doesn’t make it a point to disclose about its disabled employees either – sympathy has no place in competitive markets.   

Although cultural differences are a huge challenge for Therese, she is always poised to leave her comfort zone to understand how cultural diversity works and that it can be an opportunity to learn and broaden her perspectives. It also showcases her adaptability and receptiveness. 

For Therese, learning is a lifelong endeavor. 

Therese is a psychology graduate with limited sales experience, but working with global clients helped her learn about sales and marketing. She firmly believes in on-the-job learning and professional development programs as the catalysts for upskilling, combining theory with practical experience. 

Charting the future through hindsight, Therese’s style. 

Looking back at her remote work journey, Therese’s beliefs in capabilities, her authenticity, and the supportive people around her proved the impossible can be conquered with an iron will and unfaltering determination. She has come a long way since 2015 and intends to continue helping her family financially. She quips, “I can’t move a muscle below my neck, but I am earning in dollars.”  

As Therese looks forward to facing the future bravely, a message of encouragement takes shape, “No matter how bleak your circumstances may seem, with perseverance and support, you can move mountains.” Therese Saranza’s flourishing remote career despite severe disabilities is an inspiration for anyone considering remote job possibilities.  

Empowerment through JEDI Jobs: Your journey awaits… 

Just as Therese found a platform to excel, JEDI Jobs offers sustainable, stable, reliable, long-term, gainful, and meaningful remote employment for the disadvantaged and individuals facing similar circumstances. It’s not just a job portal; it’s a gateway to empowerment. 

Join the movement: Register with JEDI Jobs TODAY! 

People from disadvantaged groups often face difficulties finding employment and fulfilling career growth; JEDI Jobs was created to change all that. Register here NOW to redefine your possibilities and transform your life through remote employment opportunities from global employers.