Disabled, Injured, and Threatened — I’m Not Giving Up

Hi, my name is Bryan, and I never imagined I’d be in a position like this — injured, out of work, and fighting to keep a roof over my head. But here I am, and I’m asking for help because right now, I truly need it.

I was working for a FedEx contractor in a role I was told would be permanent, handling small, lightweight packages — a job I could safely do even with arthritis, a condition I had disclosed early on. But without any warning or proper conversation, they forced me into a physically demanding position, despite knowing my limitations.

When I reminded them about my medical condition and asked for a reasonable accommodation — something I’m entitled to under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and New York State disability law — I was flat-out denied. I was told it’s “not their fault” if I’m disabled.

The heavier work led to a painful injury. And when I requested an incident report to document what happened, the owner of the company called me directly, screaming, threatening me, and calling me lazy, worthless, and a piece of sh*t. I was devastated. No one deserves to be treated like that — especially after getting hurt on the job.

Now I’m in a fight on multiple fronts. I’ve begun the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim and I’m preparing to file charges with the Department of Labor for violations of my rights. I have documentation and evidence, but these legal processes take weeks or even months — time I don’t have when I’m already behind on:

• Rent — I’m facing the real risk of losing my apartment

• Car payments — which I need to get to medical appointments and future work

• Insurance — already overdue and on the verge of cancellation

Even if I withdraw my 401k, it won’t be enough to cover what I owe and what’s coming. I’ve always tried to do the right thing, to work hard and stay self-reliant, but I’m out of options — and I’m asking for help.

I’m not just trying to survive this — I’m trying to stand up for what’s right. No one should be injured, denied accommodations, and degraded just for having a disability. If you’ve ever felt powerless in a system that should protect you, then you understand why I need to fight this — and why I can’t do it alone.

If you’re able to donate, even a small amount, you can help me keep my home, my car, and my dignity.

If you can’t give right now, please share my story. Every share helps more than you know.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading this, for caring, and for standing with me.

– Bryan Calarino