Today was one for the books. I had the pleasure of attending the Disability and Job Fair at UConn Stamford, a day dedicated to accessibility, resources, education, and real job opportunities. The City of Stamford and its partners deserve a standing ovation for pulling off such a thoughtful and well-organized event.
I set up my table alongside a sea of vendors and was immediately reminded of how powerful these gatherings can be. Not only do you get to share your mission and connect with new people, but sometimes you run into familiar faces. One gentleman I met at a past support group came right over, shook my hand…and kept holding it. And holding it. And holding it.
At first, I thought maybe he just had a firm handshake. But then he started sharing how much our past encounter had meant to him. He told me that since being diagnosed as legally blind in 2022, his world had been turned upside down, his career, his identity, his whole outlook. But when he first heard me speak and discovered all the resources in our directory, he felt hopeful again. He said that the connection inspired him to reimagine his path forward.
By this point, I was genuinely touched. But then things took a turn. Still holding my hand, I finally said, “Why are your hands so cold?” Without missing a beat, he replied, “It’s freezing in here.” And then, just as quickly, he followed up with: “Will you marry me?” Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/XDKcjuS9QZE
I nearly spit out my coffee. I wasn’t sure whether to laugh, change the subject, or start planning a wedding reception right there on campus (#bleedblue). In the end, I laughed so hard I probably made his day, and my own. Accessibility and proposals, apparently, are what you get at these fairs.
The day only got better. I spent time walking around with another job seeker who is blind, which gave me the chance to network at every table, something I don’t always have time to do. We ran into old acquaintances, shared comical stories, and capped it all off with lunch surrounded by some of the brightest minds in equity and diversity in Stamford.
And because no good story ends there…these two gentlemen asked if I might give them a ride back home so they didn’t have to take the train. Of course, I said yes. I think I have read too many romance books and seen too many love stories.
Thanks to traffic, our “quick trip” turned into nearly an hour and a half from Stamford to West Haven. But honestly, I wouldn’t trade it. The extra time gave us the chance to dive deeper into conversations about accessibility, collaboration across Connecticut, and, let’s be honest, his ongoing attempts to improve his accessibility to me.
It was one of those days that reminded me why I do this work. Accessibility isn’t just about ramps and tech and resources; it’s about human connection. Sometimes it looks like a resource fair, sometimes it looks like networking over lunch, and sometimes it looks like someone holding your hand, looking you in the eye, and saying, “Will you marry me?”
Let’s just say: I came for the job fair, but I left with a story I’ll never forget.
Signing Off My Friend but Now Sleepless in Manchester,
Michelle Puzzo, Executive Director
860-430-4557
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