Finding support as an employee and caregiver
Managing Director Randy Fink says raising son with disability makes him a better person and worker
JLL’s Randy Fink, Managing Director, Property Management says there’s one person in his life who inspires him more than anyone: his son Watson. Born with a condition called fibular hemimelia, Watson underwent a major surgery as a baby to remove his left leg and now lives with a prosthetic limb.
For Randy, finding support from both his JLL team and clients has been instrumental in helping him balance work and family.
“For our day-to-day lives, and my role as one of Watson’s caregivers, the support I’ve gotten from my manager and team has been the best. The support from coworkers and clients is even more valuable – people often ask me how Watson is doing or how I am doing.”
Randy sat down with us to share the impacts, challenges and opportunities of raising a child with a disability and how it’s made him a better person and employee.
Q: Tell us about your son Watson and what he’s experienced having a disability.
A: My nine-year old son Watson was born with fibular hemimelia, the same condition as Oscar Pistorius the famous/infamous Olympian. Watson’s left leg was amputated when he was one year old, and he now uses a prosthetic leg.
There have been many impacts from Watson’s condition. Some impacts have been positive, including the opportunity we have had to be a part of Watson overcoming obstacles. The day-to-day bravery he exhibits is a rich experience for the people that love him. Our family has also come to be recognized as the local experts with limb deficiencies in children, so we have had opportunities to help others through similar situations. These positive impacts weren’t on our radar when Watson was born and have become part and parcel of the blessing of loving Watson.
Q: What are some obstacles your son and your family have had to overcome?
A: Other impacts on our lives have been less positive. Growing, active boys need larger and different prosthetics frequently – those prosthetics require maintenance and can also be very expensive. Additionally, there are frequent visits to the doctor and prosthetist to keep the prosthetics in good shape. Being different is tough any time, and for a little boy with a visibly obvious amputation, it is particularly hard. There are therapists to help Watson with sadness and how to cope with curious kids that drive him nuts with their questions and stares. This can be very hard to deal with as a father. The impact of the extra work required to accomplish normal tasks, such as accommodations for athletics at school, is also hard sometimes.
Q: Tell us about your experience as a caregiver and how JLL has supported you.
A: My experience as a caregiver has given me eyes to see some of the things able-bodied people take for granted, and a heart to want to work with, recruit, and accommodate people with differences. JLL has been very supportive – certainly my boss, as well as my coworkers and clients. For example, two years ago my family hosted a child from Iraq who came to the U.S. to receive an amputation and prosthetic. It took some flexibility with my work schedule in order to manage our guest’s care, surgery and recovery. I spoke with the people I work with in advance, and they went above and beyond in helping me figure out how to increase flexibility at work.
For our day-to-day lives, and my role as one of Watson’s caregivers, the support I’ve gotten from my manager and team has been the best. There’s not much direct impact during regular business hours except doctor appointments, but the flexibility with work hours is helpful. The support from coworkers and clients is even more valuable – people often ask me how Watson is doing or how I am doing. The interest level, investment and care really help buoy me up when things are hard or draining. The support and encouragement I get at JLL is a big part of our unfolding success story.
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Q: What’s one thing you want people to know about being a caregiver to someone with a disability?
A: One thing I want people to know is that being an authentic human being, including all the complicated situations that come with living a human life, gives us the ability to be more empathetic coworkers. Other people have different issues and hardships than I have. But they have complications in their lives that give me an opportunity to be patient, flexible, accommodating, and encouraging. Helping my coworkers and clients on a personal level has become one of the most rewarding parts of my job. Orienting my life and work around helping others be successful has made me better as a man and as an employee. I am grateful for Watson’s situation because it has helped me, and many others, be better people in all facets of our lives.