Do you work? [Archive] - CareCure Forums

rybread

11-19-2006, 10:51 PM

LBUSH49

11-20-2006, 12:40 AM

I'm not paralyzed , I use a cane or walker ,I used to be a die setter /trouble shooter in a plastic factory ,I got hurt may 10 , 1985 , so it's been 21 years since I was injury, a convayor fell on me , I've 7 back operations and a total of 23 operations since my injury , I went through a couple boughts of depression but a few peole here on this site helped me with that , now I am sending out my music from my computer library 1206 songs , it helps keep me active and my mind working on something instead of just hanging here feeling sorry for myself , there are many who are worse off than I am and I realize that now ,I do take a lot of medication 16 different ones a day , but I have to stay busy and this is how I'm doing it , send me a email if you want any music . ;LBUSH I'm 50 years old

dan_nc

11-21-2006, 01:40 PM

I work from the home doing direct sales.

rybread

07-09-2007, 09:09 PM

I wanted to get this going again because I've been extremely bored lately and really broke.SSDI just isn't enough these days. I'm especially interested in anyone who's making money from home.

darkeyed_daisy

07-09-2007, 09:29 PM

Hey Rybread

I started to attempt to work from home. Some companies offer it in the profession I am in (Hospital biller/coder). I did however decide to get out of the house. I am a hermit anyway so working from home would have been too much. I did spend three years at home and recently went back to work this April.

To answer your previous questions:

how long have you been paralyzed- 18 years
how old were you when you became paralyzed- 20
what level are you- T12-L2
what did you do before your paralysis- Certified Nursing Assistant working towards LPN
do you receive any kind of disability payment- I still draw my SSDI as I am in my 9 month Trial work Period in addition to earning my salary.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do......

BTW...you can work and draw $900 a month and still get your disability.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/2007rbnews.htm

JenJen

07-09-2007, 09:38 PM

I wanted to get this going again because I've been extremely bored lately and really broke.SSDI just isn't enough these days. I'm especially interested in anyone who's making money from home.

Ry,

Since you're here in PHX, you can get info from ABIL on how to manage work and your benefits. You can find a the workshop schedule at abil.org or I suggest you contact Rhonda Webb at ABIL (phone# on theweb site) and sit down with her and discuss. Once you know how work will affect your benefits, go to VR for that CAD class and other assistance. You can PM me if you want more info

adi chicago

07-09-2007, 09:42 PM

i am working hard to find a cure for sci.
wish me luck...i dont need a pay check..cash only.lol:)
joking guys..i wish i can have my life back..work,sex etc.

JenJen

07-09-2007, 09:57 PM

Oh, I forgot to answer:
I'm a T-10 complete with a TON of post-injury setbacks (currently nursing another fracture and pressure sore). I'm 47 now, I was injured 2.5 years ago, I was 44.

I was a massage therapist and international spa consultant, (yes people paid me tons of money to fly all over the world, and wined and dined me while I created a fabulous spa for their company, the kind you see in Conde Naste, etc.) In my "spare time" I taught martial arts and helped my SO with his business. I also have a business background before I became a LMT.

Post injury, I started working 6 months post. Right now I work for the State teaching various State workers how to best serve PWD. I only work enough so that I do not disturb my SSDI benefits as they cover my minor child too. Once my child reaches age, I will work full time again.

mr_coffee

07-09-2007, 10:14 PM

Been hurt about 2.5 years now, time flys by! Pre-sci I wanted to be a Software Engineer, after my accident I kept at it, and now i'm a computer scientist which is equivlent to a software engineer but with more math/physics :P

Co-oping with IBM currently (8 months) , but I still 3 semesters left till I graduate! I try to walk full time, during work I have to use the wheelchair somtimes and to go out to eat some places make you hold your tray and what not, and that doesn't go to well with crutches.

I'm c7/c8 and T1 but luckly I was incomplete and regained 90% hand function on my right side, and enough on my left side to type almost as fast as I use to be able to type.

I took a year off to recover as much as possible then started going back to school, nothing was the same but nothing ever is with sci it seems!

Goodluck with your inventions!

adi chicago

07-09-2007, 10:25 PM

ab are diffr. we sci as well [level and asia score].
i love women so i decided to open a busniess ...modeling ..what do you think guys?my mom said no .lol
plenty chicks around .

J2Extreme

07-09-2007, 10:57 PM

Nice thread rybread, I was just thinking of posting the same thing. I am 27 years old now. Had my SCI 8 years ago at the age of 19. I am a C5 complete. Before my SCI I had tones of jobs because I was working since age 12 when I started painting houses in and outside. I worked at as a paper boy also.
Once I turned 16 and was able to work legally I worked at 2 stores 'all for $51" and "spencers" then i worked at jiffy lube for 1.5 years. I was a certified Lube Tech and completed over 10,000 vehicles fluid changes, oil, transmission, differential, final drives, transfer cases, and radiators, before the age of 18. At 18.5 years old I started installing and working for a HVAC company. Installing duck work n gas pipe in new houses. Ripping out old furnaces n installing new. Creating duck work... after doing that for 4 months and being denied a raise from $8.50 an hour I decided to change jobs. My next job and last before my SCI I was working at an auto body shop for 3 months. I was transportation driver, car prepper before paint, and also learning how to do body work n paint.

Then I had my motorcycle accident. 2 years after my SCI I went back to school. I didn’t have much interest in anything because I love working with my hands and now no longer was able to use them. I did the only other thing I thought I could and did before my SCI. I went to school for graphic design. After 2 years in 2002 I graduated. I worked at a company that made electric bikes and atvs during my internship for 7 months. The company then was closing slowly. They couldn’t keep 2 designers so they kept the guy that was there before me.

Since 2003 I have been looking 4 a job. I fill out applications, not only for graphic design, but also for customer service, and other positions. I never get call backs.
I don’t know the problem. I do run my own freelance design company. www.ETdesigns.us & www.PicturteMusicVideos.com . I get small jobs here and there, but not enough and not steady. I also run the largest adaptive action sports website in the world, www.ExtremeChairing.com . its all none profit, really I make nothing, still waiting for those big sponsors. I am currently working on a project and starting a business that will give freedom to people with disabilities. Top secret but coming spring of 2008 ;)

addiesue

07-10-2007, 01:00 AM

Finding work post SCI is difficult. Before I had only been turned down for one job. I've been on about 15 interviews in the past year. Nothing but Walmart. I'm qualified educated outgoing wellspoken. Maybe it's me. Maybe it's the chair Maybe it's the small town. Who knows.

Kratos

07-10-2007, 05:13 AM

i hate sci... before sci great job, and now nothing, if im lucky i earn 20$ a day.. before test driver for mondial, now im repairing motorsaws all day long.. lol

Tiger Racing

07-10-2007, 06:13 AM

I'm just curious, how many of us work, how long have you been paralyzed, how old were you when you became paralyzed, what level are you, what did you do before your paralysis, what you do know or what do you plan on doing,is there anything holding you back from working and do you receive any kind of disability payment?
I was on SSI and SSDI for a couple of years, but I went back to college about a year after my accident and starting working again about a year after that. I was injured 20 yrs ago and I'm currently a T7-8 para. I have only had two paying jobs in my life that weren't office work, although my long term goal was to become a horse trainer. I gave up that dream and have worked in various offices for the past 2 decades. I like working with computers and have done a lot of desktop publishing and design work. I have had some health issues in the past couple of years that have affected my ability to work full time, but an "able-bodied" person could go through that as well. Overall, I see no reason why a paraplegic cannot make a living for themselves just based on them being a para.

I myself do not work, I'm a C-5, I was just about to turn 23, I've been hurt six years, I was a Ford automotive technician before I got hurt doing interior trim and electronics but trained bumper-to-bumper, at this point I want to be an inventor and I feel that I need to take classes in CAD to put my inventions on paper
So are you doing that? Are you taking classes?

the main thing holding me back from working is worrying about losing my insurance through my mother and I do receive a halfway decent disability check.
You're almost 30 and are still covered by your mom's insurance? If you were not handicapped would you be OK with that? If you had a crappy job that you hated, but you had decent insurance, would you stick with it forever or would you take the plunge and strike out to find a job you loved that had good benefits?

It's never easy, but providing for yourself and contributing to the community is a goal worth striving for.

C.

cypresss

07-10-2007, 12:32 PM

its all none profit, really I make nothing, still waiting for those big sponsors.
if no big sponsors, try adSense service from Google. I know some which are earning ~800$ for each site, but it's all about SEO work(Search Engine Optimization) not only webdesign and HTML.
In this field many are saying that are earning much more, but i don't know them personally.

Lazlo

07-10-2007, 12:44 PM

I'm T8 para, with a job in computer architecture and engineering. I've been doing this work for over a decade, but was only injured six months ago. I kept my laptop in the rehab hospital and started working again only two weeks post injury. I wasn't working full-time then but had to keep up with email and critical issues at work, probably 10-15 hours a week.

Now I'm working full time but mostly from home. I do need to start getting in to the office on a more regular basis, but I will probably still work from home 2-3 days a week for some time.

cypresss

07-10-2007, 12:46 PM

hi there

I'm c4-c5 in surgery report, Frankel B and I was 23 years old when my injury changed my life.

I was student in a computer engineer faculty. I don't move any finger and I'm not independent(i can't make transfer, from bed w/c )

now I'm 27 years old (4 years with injury) and I'm working as a software engineer in a computer vision company. I had also a part job as a webdeveloper (1 year).

I'm typing using some sticks.

I've read somewhere that a boy with c4/c5 injury from Australia it's playing on stock market. In my opinion it's very important to do what u like best and in our days, using a computer and a internet connection it's much more easy to work than 10-15 years ago. Somehow we are lucky.

I know that are some carer advisers (some psychologist with special questionnaires ) and they correlate your test results with job types. I don;t know which jobs are possible for quads.

I think is a good idea for cc ppl to start make a table with possible jobs/injury-type. Do you have/know any link about that?

PM if you think I can help u somehow. sorry my bad English.

PS: I think we all know Stephen Hawking (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking)

fuentejps

07-10-2007, 12:48 PM

inc c4/5 20 yrs post july 27th. been working since graduating from college. im a loan officer and stock broker. only had 2 jobs. i found it very easy to get employed.

whoever mentioned ins. going from moms to an employers group plan is easy. as long as no gap they cant hit u w/ prexisting. u pay the same as any other 30 yo male

Mike Honcho

07-10-2007, 01:58 PM

How long have you been paralyzed? 6 years
How old were you when you became paralyzed? 23
What level are you? C5
What did you do before your paralysis? undergrad student
Do you receive any kind of disability payment? I did, but not after I got my job.

I went to grad school after I was injured. I'm now a full time instructor and working on my doctorate.

Andy

07-10-2007, 07:16 PM

5 years post, para level. Worked at the phone company in a field position pre-injury. Then took a year off on short term disability. Went back to work doing an inside position I used to do in the same group at the phone company.

Aly

07-10-2007, 07:28 PM

How long have you been paralyzed? 14 years

How old were you when you became paralyzed? 16

What level are you? C6/7

What did you do before your paralysis? annoying teenager like most

Do you receive any kind of disability payment? This month is probably the last SSI check I will recieve

I start my job tomorrow, I found job hunting in general hard but there are people I graduated with 2 months ago still unemployed and are searching just as hard as I did.

adi chicago

07-10-2007, 07:48 PM

artsyguy1954

07-10-2007, 08:07 PM

Am presently unemployed but looking into working from home to supplement my disability pension. Am planning to take a bunch of computer courses (web design, internet marketing, programming etc in order to become more savvy at running my own homebased business.

rybread

07-10-2007, 08:50 PM

It's been a long time since I started this thread so let me tell you what the plans are now and what's going on. I'm going through vocational rehab right now and plan on pursuing either an associate degree in CAD, or a bachelors in mechanical or automotive engineering. I've already got an Associates degree in automotive technologies, specifically on Fords, but it's all in vehicle repair (except for my English and communication classes) so it doesn't do me any good without use of my fingers(although I can still diagnose problems). I'm leaning more towards mechanical engineering because I truly enjoy figuring out how to make things better or figure out what's wrong with them, and I have all sorts of ideas for different things and quickly come up with ideas to solve problems, mostly mechanical, but that will take me four years to get versus the 1 1/2 years it would take to get my associates in CAD, although the starting salary for engineering is $20,000 a year more. I've taken a vocational evaluation to determine what I'd be best at and scored very high in mechanical, spatial, and mathematic ability which works well for either CAD or engineering. They suggested I get it direct placement job as a math tutor which I'll be happy to do after I get surgery to heal the sore on my sacrum. Meanwhile, I'm looking for something to do from home. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.

Scorpion

07-10-2007, 09:00 PM

How long have you been paralyzed? 17 3/4 years

How old were you when you became paralyzed? 20. I'm 37 now.

What level are you? C-6

What did you do before your paralysis? Full-time college student (Junior college/art then liberal arts), worked part-time washing FedEx trucks, and also worked part-time at The Flyer (weekly advertising mailer) working on the negatives, photographing the pages for print, doing some paste-up and design.

Do you receive any kind of disability payment? No. I did after my accident and while in college. I had worked enough in my teens to qualify for SSDI.

I went on the the University of South Florida I got two Bachelor's degrees: Fine Art (focus on drawing) and Art Education (teaching art to grades K-12) with the financial help of Vocational Rehab. I could have gotten a job teaching right after college (age 26)--was offered during my internship--but chose to pursue freelance art and design, and while doing that I did some substitute teaching and some dispatching (hated that) to make extra money. I was offered a job as a Web Designer (age 27) in New York and moved up there from Tampa. About 5 years later, I moved back to Florida for the warm weather, and I was freelancing in graphic design. I still work from home, freelancing as a graphic designer, and 99% of my work now is lettering comicbooks.

I don't know if any of that helps you, rybread, but you should definitely talk to Vocational Rehab there in Arizona, if you haven't already. They can help you train in CAD or another field, and can sometimes pay for computer equipment and software. It varies by state.

Insurance: When I started my web design job in New York, I was on Medicare, and I was able to get on the company's Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan with no questions asked. But that's not always the case. I kept Medicare going while working there. You can never have too much healthcare insurance. :)

Scorpion

07-10-2007, 09:02 PM

Lola_wheelie

07-10-2007, 09:12 PM

i'm c4-5 . used to be a gymnast in my teens and early 20's and also a professional dancer and dance instructor ( flamenco [dance from spain] and ballet ) . have been paralyzed for 4 years and now a days i work as an agent for www.accessibleproperties.net and also volunteer .

hugs, lola

Schmeky

07-10-2007, 11:10 PM

How long have you been paralyzed? 5.5 years
How old were you when you became paralyzed? 45
What level are you? T-5
What did you do before your paralysis? Environmental Engineer
Do you receive any kind of disability payment? Yes, SSDI and private income supplemental payment.

Went back to college, got my Master's as a Counselor/Therpaist, employment was easy to locate, recently promoted to a Program Director of a Mental Health facility.

Should be off SSDI in October of 07.

Le Type Français

07-10-2007, 11:31 PM

I'd love to have an occupation; but unless I'm paid well or feel I'm making a lasting impression on the world, there is little incentive for me to exert myself.

SCI constantly reminds me of death and how fragile and temporary life is. Oftentimes, I wonder why learn all these things only to inevitably die. Add to the extra effort SCI puts on oneself to do even the mundane, it all seems worthless at times.

Leif

07-11-2007, 12:10 AM

Will never have a corrupt global warming job again, like driving a car to work, or flying each week producing a lot of greenhouse gases hurting our common societies, thus I stopped doing so, like most AB wannabies also should do. This because our environment is in distress, thus only the ones really needing a job should work. The rest should stay calm.

6string

07-11-2007, 12:21 AM

I did work, but accepted a generous early retirement package in 2000, when the company moved away. Now I teach guitar at my home. That's actually more fun than work.

artsyguy1954

07-11-2007, 01:18 AM

SCI constantly reminds me of death and how fragile and temporary life is. Oftentimes, I wonder why learn all these things only to inevitably die. Add to the extra effort SCI puts on oneself to do even the mundane, it all seems worthless at times.
I agree with your point, Todd. A guy works hard all his life to get ahead and makes plans for the future and then one second of stupidity renders that "future" more or less null and void. The existentialists were right: Life is absurd.

So now I am just aiming at part time work from home and it has to be creative and personally satisfying or else I am not interested. And I have to be able to work my own hours, whenever, wherever. Most "normal" jobs these days are just on a contract basis without benefits anyway, unless you get a union job, which is hard to come by at my age. And job security and loyal longterm employer/emplyee relationships are a thing of the past anyway, so what the fuck. Where is the incentive. Screw the 9-5 routine. I won't have any more of that.

I have come to realize that the rest of my life is too short to keep wasting it on a wasteful consumerist lifestyle and to prostitute myself any longer to the "system".

I have "got the basics covered". My house is paid off, I have car (used) in the garage and a few investments here and there. (Not really as impressive as it sounds, really.) The only really expensive habit I still have is travelling. I hope to do a lot more of it before I "kick the bucket."
Other than that I spend my days with with low budget pursuits such as catching up on a lot of reading, watching movie classics, spending too much time online and painting (paintings !) and involving myself in spinal cord injury and stem cell research advocacy or helping others.

The only incentive I still have to earn extra money is to save up for "special projects" such as trips to Europe or the Caribbean or wherever. (Or possibly car payments again. Yikes !!) Other than that, time and happiness and health are more important to me these days than more of the same old, same old (ie money).

In closing, I don't need work or a job to keep me busy. I can honestly say that I haven't had a moments boredom since my accident. I finally get to do all those things again that I haven't had time for all these years.

steveg

07-12-2007, 03:00 PM

How long have you been paralyzed? 29 years

How old were you when you became paralyzed? 17

What level are you? C8/T1

What did you do before your paralysis? Went to high school, played sports and hung out with friends

Do you receive any kind of disability payment? No. I am a Management Consultant for a large consulting firm

Geoffrey

07-12-2007, 03:31 PM

Hi,
I am a T5 complete, result of a motorcycle accident. I am 52 now, had the accident 2 years ago this month. I was in the hospital four and a half months with a few more complications.
Prior to my accident I was the Chief Pilot for an aerial mapping company, flying turbine aircraft and a Lear jet. I am still working for the same company but now as the Director of Flight Operations.
I do find it hard sometimes working with the pilots knowing that I cannot fly anymore. I even considered staying at home and finishing the two books I started to write a few years ago. But I knew I needed to get out of the house and to work.

DougM

07-12-2007, 07:46 PM

How long have you been paralyzed? 36 yrs

How old were you when you became paralyzed? 13

What level are you? T4/5

What did you do before your paralysis? Kid stuff

Do you receive any kind of disability payment? No. I am a sysadmin/DBA for the SC State Ports Authority

Shwetarose

07-13-2007, 06:20 AM

How long have you been paralyzed? 14 yrs

How old were you when you became paralyzed? 11

What level are you? D12

What did you do before your paralysis? Active Girl

Do you receive any kind of disability payment? No. My case is still going for the claim.I am Business woman in the field of IT

quartermile

07-14-2007, 11:31 AM

How long have you been paralyzed? 15 yrs

How old were you when you became paralyzed? 17

What level are you? C5-6

What did you do before your paralysis? Student in HS

Do you receive any kind of disability payment? Nope...worked my way through college and have worked ever since as an engineering technologist

SCIFighter

07-14-2007, 12:53 PM

Incomplete, just shy of 3 years

How old were you when you became paralyzed? 29
What level are you? C5-6, incomplete

What did you do before your paralysis? Student in college, working towards RN, once our dd started -K-, SAHM for 12 years

Do you receive any kind of disability payment? Nope

I am currently, not able to work or even go to school. Nursing, sadly, is no longer an option for me, never wanted to be anything but an RN, working with critical/cancer/severely injured. Eventually, I will be working on degree for special Ed/profoundly handicap.

cheesecake

07-16-2007, 02:41 PM

I am currently, not able to work or even go to school. Nursing, sadly, is no longer an option for me, never wanted to be anything but an RN, working with critical/cancer/severely injured. Eventually, I will be working on degree for special Ed/profoundly handicap.

There is no reason you can't work as a nurse case manager or an intake cordinator for a hospital. You could even do case management in the workers compensation system. I have a special ed degree and believe me, working special ed with a disability is extremely difficult and not particuarly safe. Reveiew the specific job functions of most districts, you will find lifting, toileting, restraining, etc are "essential job functions" in special ed,especially profoundly handiapped.

kenf

07-16-2007, 03:48 PM

no , i live of the USA taxpayers , drink beer , fish all day , watch my fish eat in the pond. can't believe how big some are and i never catch those ones. drink beer and play poker all night. i love it. what i would of done when i retired.

sjean423

07-16-2007, 03:51 PM

I have a special ed degree and believe me, working special ed with a disability is extremely difficult and not particuarly safe. Reveiew the specific job functions of most districts, you will find lifting, toileting, restraining, etc are "essential job functions" in special ed,especially profoundly handiapped.
Agree here. I used to work with special ed preschoolers (My degree is in math ... go figure) and haven't returned to it since my accident specifically do to what cheesecake listed. Also, it just required too much floor time. They actually help my position for me, and were willing to make a lot of accomodations, but I felt if I went back to it, it wouldn;t be fair to the others in the classroom, the kids or myself.

Mom242

Just don;t want you to invest too much time into a career path that can be just as "inaccessible" as what you are worrying about now.

danielgr

07-16-2007, 04:52 PM

Rybread, I was an Ford automotive technician also before my injury. I was injury Jan 1997 (T-6) when I was 25 years old and was out of work until Sept 98. I went to work at the Ford Tech Hotline in Detroit. I worked there for 5 years then moved back to NY and I'm now working at the Land Rover/Jaguar Hotline. All in a nutshell
Oh Yeah, no dis check here.

RSieck

08-01-2007, 01:55 PM

hurt 2/24/06 T8/9
was 20 years old MVA
Was a apprentice to be a pipefitter for 3 months
Yes I did eventually recieve a Monthly check, Double what most make, since I had a dieseased father and was disabled under the age of 21, Now I'm doing AutoCad work and will start estimating for a Plumbing/Pipefitting company

Rbrauer

08-01-2007, 02:58 PM

how long have you been paralyzed- 30 years
how old were you when you became paralyzed- 16
what level are you- T12-L1
what did you do before your paralysis- Ranch hand, dishwasher, any field work that paid. School during the day.
do you receive any kind of disability payment- Nope..

Spent 20 years with Xerox, retired. Took off 6 months then unfortunatly my wife got cancer. Now working for Pepsi Business Solutions Group doing IT work. Not that I'm the most technical person, but I got the job for the voice and customer relation skills.

hotelbuoy

08-01-2007, 03:29 PM

SCI for 7 years last month
The day before my 25 th b-day.
I worked for the US Coast Guard as a Helicopter Rescue Swimmer/ Diver
No i dont work right now
I volunteer w/ the DSUSA and Shriners Hospital
I am a L-1,2 incomplete.
For the past 7 years i really have only been working on rehab, going to the gym, and regianing function as well as going to school to learn about my lack of function.

Degree in Exercise Biology

Dont know what is next at the moment.

I hate staying at home, and i do it way too much.

rybread

08-01-2007, 08:02 PM

Tiger Racing

08-01-2007, 08:15 PM

That's funny, I was a Ford mechanic too.
It sounds like you don't plan on going back to work at Ford. Why not?

C.

rybread

08-01-2007, 08:22 PM

Tiger Racing

08-01-2007, 08:46 PM

No finger dexterity, I'm in Phoenix so the shop is usually 90° or more which is too much for me, and I'm not interested in living in Detroit. I'm starting school for CAD next semester when my sore heels up.
Oh, OK, so in order to utilize CAD skills at Ford you'd need to move to Detroit? That's a bummer. When you were injured, how did your employer respond? Was there any talk of retraining or relocation?

C.

Annabanana

08-02-2007, 10:00 PM

Another ex Ford employee here....I worked for Ford in Australia as an apprentice painter & decorator.
My Dad was an engineer with Ford in Australia, London and Germany...my mum was a first aid nurse with Ford, and my sister did a very short stint as a press operator whilst waiting to join the Air Force.

danielgr

08-03-2007, 01:57 PM

That's funny, I was a Ford mechanic too. I worked in trim/AC, but was trained bumper-to-bumper. What did you use to do?

I was a technician, I did the normal repairs like tune ups, oil changes, tires, driveablility, engine repair, alignments, and I also drove the tow truck. Now I can't work in the shop (which I really do miss), but I do get to repair cars/trucks over the phone. I just don't get my hands dirty anymore. The best part of this job is that I get to fix vehicles with real problems and they can be challenging at times. I deal with all the Jaguar-Land Rover dealers across North America.
I live alone, which it can be lonely some times, but I work full time and it's about 1 and half hour drive to see the family. It's a lot better then sitting around the house all the time. That was driving me crazy after my accident and the most depressing time of my life. After I found a job in Detroit, I took that BIG leap into Independents and took the chance of living on my own.

Sorry for carrying on when you just asked "what did you do". It got away from me.

rybread

08-04-2007, 09:38 PM

Oh, OK, so in order to utilize CAD skills at Ford you'd need to move to Detroit? That's a bummer. When you were injured, how did your employer respond? Was there any talk of retraining or relocation?

C.
Actually, I could easily become telephone tech support for Ford, but I'd have to live in the Michigan area to do that. I'm interested in CAD because it comes very naturally to me (the 3-D spatial reasoning part). Check out my vocational rehab assessment:
16678

Lizbv

08-05-2007, 01:15 PM

\I'm just curious, how many of us work, how long have you been paralyzed, how old were you when you became paralyzed, what level are you, what did you do before your paralysis, what you do know or what do you plan on doing,is there anything holding you back from working and do you receive any kind of disability payment?

SCI since 1996, I was barely 22, I am a C/6.
Before SCI, I was a college flunky, my mom died my first spring semester in college and I did not know what I wanted to do so I partied (she is not the total reason obviously!). I'm not afraid to admit this. Then I became involved in retail management and really liked it but it didn't pay very well. Then I moved to Texas. My retail management company wanted me back, (which I was going to), but I had my accident along the desert highway the week before I was supposed to leave Texas. I went back to school living in a nursing home after I finally got out of nine months of being in hospitals. I transferred to a university a year and a half later, and got an internship. And now after becoming an employed, seven years later I am still employed with the agency, at different location, had several types of jobs, and now working in civil rights and diversity. I'm not certain at all that this will be my last job type I do forever, but try to learn new things every day and certainly never thought I'd be working for the feds.

I received SSDI, Medicare and Medicaid until an employed after accident. Now, no assistance. Vocational rehabilitation helped me supplement Medicaid while moving from various counties in the state so I could continue my vocational goals. And, they helped me until I found my job. It wasn't easy, but as long as you had goals and could prove you were meeting them, they helped. Perhaps it was also better that I was alone, without family support and outside finances.

What frustrates me the most today and on this journey of SCI (having a disability) so far is that once you become employed, you have to have a income that you can live on, plus pay your attendants for help, plus find all resources your self, and do this in a world that is able-bodied catered to. It is so unfortunate in the United States that we have to be considered "homebound" and not able to go out of the household to receive personal care assistants, or live on Medicaid with which you must not have any substantial income. By definition of "substantial", each state's guidelines are different, but the money is minimal and not easily livable for a quad. These minimal living standards force a lot of disabled people to live taking chances that they won't get "caught" by the system, because they are trying to survive. All disabled people want to do, is just be like anyone else. Why should we be forced to stay in our homes, and not in society adding to its diverse structure already in place?

I hope in the future that healthcare regulations will change and we will be able to not have to struggle with these issues. Anyone who says they don't, either has some source of compensation or is in some fairytale land.

Best wishes, stay positive, and you can do it!:)

RehabRhino

08-05-2007, 01:29 PM

What frustrates me the most today and on this journey so far is that once you become employed, you have to have a income that you can live on, plus pay your attendants for help, plus find all resources your self, and do this in a world that is able-bodied catered to. It is so unfortunate in the United States that we have to be considered "homebound" and not able to go out of the household to receive personal care assistants, or live on Medicaid with which you must not have any substantial income. By definition of "substantial", each state's guidelines are different, but the money is minimal and not easily livable for a quad.

I hope in the future that healthcare regulations will change and we will be able to not have to struggle with these issues. Anyone who says they don't, either has some source of compensation or is in some fairytale land.

Best wishes, stay positive, and you can do it!:)

You're right, this part of the US healthcare system is a disgrace. In the UK there is a lot of financial help to get you back to work - including up to 80% state funding on adaptive equipment, plus we receive a tax free 'disability living allowance' and PCA support is largely funded by the Government. Medical supplies are free.

We do pay shitloads of tax on everything though.

Lizbv

08-05-2007, 01:37 PM

You're right, this part of the US healthcare system is a disgrace. In the UK there is a lot of financial help to get you back to work - including up to 80% state funding on adaptive equipment, plus we receive a tax free 'disability living allowance' and PCA support is largely funded by the Government. Medical supplies are free.

We do pay shitloads of tax on everything though.

Hi rhino. Yes other countries seem to have different noticeably better systems in place. But I guess the keyword I want to emphasize is that once you find employment the financial resources are generally cut that you may likely have received while working to be employed. There is no guarantee your income will be able to supplement necessary things required in living with a disability.

Is the answer to healthcare problems this then: A country must increase its taxes for healthcare to be successful and help all of its recipients?

RehabRhino

08-05-2007, 03:57 PM

Is the answer to healthcare problems this then: A country must increase its taxes for healthcare to be successful and help all of its recipients?

I don't know Liz. For the system we have in the UK - which is far from perfect - to be emulated in the US would cost trillions.

I'm not sure how high taxes are in the US. Would the population stand for a tax hike to improve healthcare? You'll be paying for Iraq for years.

I know I moan less about my 40% tax bracket now than I did before SCI.

Jennlvdp

08-10-2007, 03:56 PM

Do you receive any kind of disability payment? No. I am a Management Consultant for a large consulting firm

WOW - I do not have an SCI, I have MD and cannot walk (I had a stroke at the age of 21 and was totally healthy before it). I am a Mgt. Consultant in Human Performance and Change Management with a large consulting firm. I was asking my HR person today if she knows anyone at my company who also uses a chair and she is hitting a roadblock finding folks for me to network with. We should connect!

Best,

Jenn

addiesue

08-11-2007, 07:44 PM

I wonder if in the UK there are as many people who claim disability who are not truly disabled. Maybe that's where a lot of our money goes. I see it often. My neighbor near me for example. He receives SSDI. He is not what I would consider disabled. He's a runner. He runs miles. ???

NEWPARA

08-12-2007, 07:51 PM

Injured in april 06
I was 42
I dont work yet
Before I was a self employed carpenter
Im reciving medical ssdi

wheelchairTITAN

08-12-2007, 08:06 PM

I was a technician, I did the normal repairs like tune ups, oil changes, tires, driveablility, engine repair, alignments, and I also drove the tow truck. Now I can't work in the shop (which I really do miss), but I do get to repair cars/trucks over the phone. I just don't get my hands dirty anymore. The best part of this job is that I get to fix vehicles with real problems and they can be challenging at times. I deal with all the Jaguar-Land Rover dealers across North America.
I live alone, which it can be lonely some times, but I work full time and it's about 1 and half hour drive to see the family. It's a lot better then sitting around the house all the time. That was driving me crazy after my accident and the most depressing time of my life. After I found a job in Detroit, I took that BIG leap into Independents and took the chance of living on my own.

Sorry for carrying on when you just asked "what did you do". It got away from me.Thanks for sharing and taking the time to tell us a little about you. You have a great group here who can be a great support.

Have a great week. I apppreciated your openess.

Cheers,
Bill

hirar

08-13-2007, 11:48 PM

I really did not have much break. I had to keep my health insurance (I am not an American). I teach/research full time. It kept me somewhat sane and work has been a challenge, lots of college politics just like everywhere, but also therapeutic. Two of my students were quads when I broke my back. They quickly became my mentors and later my friends and support system. One now works at VA hospital and another has a successful private practice. Great guys.

JoeyMearig

08-18-2007, 01:46 PM

I have been injured for almost 5 years.

I was injured at the age of 20 (C6 incomplete)

I was a college student majoring in math.

I started teaching two years ago, first as a substitute, then full time math teacher. Teaching from a chair is more challenging (though I've never taught before), because I do not have the tall presence in the class room. Teaching middle/high schoolers is hard anyway, but I'm told it will get easier with time. I just got hired for my second full time position which starts in September, so I'm looking forward to a new beginning.

Also, I did receive ssi/ssdi during my teaching under the 9 month WAIV deal. I think I still have 2 months left of that.

hirar

08-20-2007, 11:27 PM

I have been injured for almost 5 years.

I was injured at the age of 20 (C6 incomplete)

I was a college student majoring in math.

I started teaching two years ago, first as a substitute, then full time math teacher. Teaching from a chair is more challenging (though I've never taught before), because I do not have the tall presence in the class room. .

I was teaching statistics when I was injured. I asked employer to purchase a smartboard for me so that I can continue showing calculation on the projector. Just a thought for your math teaching when materials get complicated. I admire you teaching middle/high school. That got be tough!congrats for your full time job offer :)

infinity

09-20-2007, 11:25 PM

I was teaching statistics when I was injured. I asked employer to purchase a smartboard for me so that I can continue showing calculation on the projector. Just a thought for your math teaching when materials get complicated. I admire you teaching middle/high school. That got be tough!congrats for your full time job offer :)

I always wanted to be an English teacher - as far back as I can remember. I'm 21 and a year post injury inc. c6 and I've started thinking about what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. I quickly realized tha teaching is the only thing I've ever been passionate about and I really can't see myself having any other career. I used to go back and forth - between wanting to teach HS or middle school. I'm leaning toward HS now. Any insight you could offer would be appriciated.

What was the most difficult part? Was student teaching difficult? What is your upper body/hand function like? Did you have a hard time finding a job? Any info/stories you've got I'd love to hear.

hirar

09-29-2007, 01:38 AM

What was the most difficult part? Was student teaching difficult? What is your upper body/hand function like? Did you have a hard time finding a job? Any info/stories you've got I'd love to hear.

Infinity: I am sorry that I did not respond to your questions quickly. I hope you are still checking to see if I have replied. If teaching was your passion, there is a career waiting for you. I had a full time job when I was injured, and I still work for the same school. I am para, so I have a good hand function. I also have a service dog, who often goes to my classrooms. I have pretty bad neuropathic pain, and it is the biggest hindrance for me to be productive at work. I became a disabilities officer of the school, and I help students accommodated in their classrooms. I enjoy working with students, and they stop seeing my wheelchair after they get to know me as a teacher. Teaching is much harder now (some of my classes run four hours), and I tend to experience fatigue while teaching. It is a challenging job, but often rewarding. If you really love to teach, SCI should not stop you. Best of Luck to you in your teaching career!

rybread

09-29-2007, 02:11 AM

Infinity: I am sorry that I did not respond to your questions quickly. I hope you are still checking to see if I have replied. If teaching was your passion, there is a career waiting for you. I had a full time job when I was injured, and I still work for the same school. I am para, so I have a good hand function. I also have a service dog, who often goes to my classrooms. I have pretty bad neuropathic pain, and it is the biggest hindrance for me to be productive at work. I became a disabilities officer of the school, and I help students accommodated in their classrooms. I enjoy working with students, and they stop seeing my wheelchair after they get to know me as a teacher. Teaching is much harder now (some of my classes run four hours), and I tend to experience fatigue while teaching. It is a challenging job, but often rewarding. If you really love to teach, SCI should not stop you. Best of Luck to you in your teaching career!

Unless you teach dance, magic, slide of hand, how to climb a rope, trapeze or high wire. LOL

Raccoon

09-30-2007, 03:42 AM

I'm 10 years post, and I was 32 at the time. I was working pretty much my dream job -- retail manager of a bookstore. I had done lots of other stuff, during "sabbaticals" from working in bookstores; it was nice doing something physical after shelving books for a couple of years...

I'm not working now, although I am a part owner of a bookstore. Yes, I get SSDI.

Raccoon

09-30-2007, 03:50 AM

Is there a way to completely delete posts, rather than just editing them?

RehabRhino

09-30-2007, 01:44 PM

Is there a way to completely delete posts, rather than just editing them?

Raccoon

Yes. A moderator can delete posts if they are duplicated or the OP has a good reason. What do you want deleting?

Chef

09-30-2007, 02:58 PM

I have a C-4 complete injury, almost 3 years post. I was injured October 10, 2004, within one hour of Christopher Reeve's passing. I was injured as a freshman at Colorado State University studying landscape architecture. I took the rest of the year off and then began again the next fall. Still studying landscape architecture, good times.

-- Colin

adi chicago

09-30-2007, 05:07 PM

i work for free and i teach people what love,pain ,anger ,faith means .
dont ask me to predict the future i can predict only past and present.

Sisira

10-02-2007, 11:51 AM

I was paralyzed when I was 26 in 1991 (16 years ago). I receive my full pension as I was hurt while in the army. I started a printing business so I also work about 10 - 12 hours per day.

Raccoon

10-05-2007, 12:45 AM

Raccoon

Yes. A moderator can delete posts if they are duplicated or the OP has a good reason. What do you want deleting?

It was a duplicate post. Then I edited it to ask the question.

davemeister

12-15-2007, 12:48 AM

That's the short answer. I recently posted the long answer (http://progressivezone.blogspot.com/2007/12/what-was-once-unusual-is-now.html) on my blog, so I'll link (http://progressivezone.blogspot.com/2007/12/what-was-once-unusual-is-now.html) you to it instead of writing it again. The details not posted there are that I have a C-5/6 complete SCI since age 26. Because of my employment, I do not qualify for any government benefits, subsidies, or entitlememnts.

I'm just curious, how many of us work, how long have you been paralyzed, how old were you when you became paralyzed, what level are you, what did you do before your paralysis, what you do know or what do you plan on doing,is there anything holding you back from working and do you receive any kind of disability payment?

barondidit

02-21-2008, 03:51 AM

and...do you get insurance that covers what is needed when having an sci. Needed is a crappy word.
Just tryin to get some ideas\
Pre injury i printed tshirts.

shak

02-21-2008, 04:31 AM

and...do you get insurance that covers what is needed when having an sci. Needed is a crappy word.
Just tryin to get some ideas\
Pre injury i printed tshirts.

hey barondidit : i have my own business 11 yrs , but right now i take 0 from it and live off provincial disability about 1350.00 per month with all med. and dent. benefits, my personal opinion is anyone who survives sci should never have to work ever again! ever unless they want to !

DougM

02-21-2008, 09:36 AM

I've been a Database Admin, System Admin, Systems Programmer, Programmer Analyst, etc.

My employers all provided insurance, but sometimes when you're a new employee they don't cover pre-existing conditions for some period of time, typically 6 months to a year. The insurance covers most things I need.

What do you like to do?

TMAZ

02-21-2008, 10:35 AM

I am a Lead Software Developer and my insurance covers just about everything except the hot tub.

Hawkeyes

02-21-2008, 01:17 PM

Programmer/Analyst

Our insurance at work isn't very good for the small stuff. Way too much hassle to get re-imbursed . I just pay out of pocket most of the time.

Joe

Freedom92

02-21-2008, 01:44 PM

Was a welder for a stainless steel machining company. Loved my job. Great wage, benefit package, worked at my own pace. Fell 15 feet backwards in a steel tank. Don't remember how it even happened. Now I'm living on workmans comp and ssi. $4,500 a month with full medical for now, until my settlement, it's livable, but I'm still undecided what I want to do. No matter what, I know i'll have to settle for a sit down job now.

wheeliecoach

02-21-2008, 01:47 PM

I am a computer programmer and my insurance pays for most stuff that I need, including 100% of a new chair once every 36 months.

JimD

02-21-2008, 02:40 PM

High school teacher. Insurance covers most things...

Liz321

02-21-2008, 03:10 PM

I worked f/t as a speech language pathologist and my DME suppllies were covered under my company's insurance.

Riz

02-21-2008, 03:33 PM

I had my own business. I have SSDI as well as personal dissability insurance, I am on Medicare but also covered under my wife's insurance. I also have VA benefits, they cover all meds an supplies.

kap

02-21-2008, 04:13 PM

My husband (L1) just went back to work as a police dispatcher. He is on the same insurance as when he got injured so we don't have to worry about pre-existing conditions. They cover pretty much everything.

I used to work with a SCI guy (have no idea what his injury level was, knew nothing about SCI at the time) who started in health insurance customer service and worked his way up to a sales rep. He, of course, had awesome insurance working for the company.

lynnifer

02-21-2008, 11:21 PM

Police & Fire Dispatcher. Customer Service at my local natural gas company but then the police job came along a month later. Switchboard Operator at my local hospital. Data entry clerk. Even worked at a pizza joint answering the phone, working on their computer billing - even scrubbed the toilet a few times - blech!

I've never been fired and always left on good terms.

canuck

02-22-2008, 12:13 AM

Part time seasonal clerical position for British Columbia Ministry of Forests Protection program, trying to become one of those evil DME sales types that everybody loves to hate

trainman

03-22-2008, 12:28 AM

I've been running my own business doing doing web sites for over 7 years now. It doesn't provide enough for my own insurance yet, so funding comes from my father's employer.

christopher

03-22-2008, 12:35 AM

I live offthe government, volunteer a couple days a week, go to the gym a few times a week, take care of my kids on weekends, plus my housing co-op duties... I don't have time for a job lol.

rybread

03-22-2008, 04:40 AM

Baron, I had asked the same question last year. Check out the thread here (http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/showthread.php?t=72922)

onrycowboy67

03-22-2008, 01:51 PM

I board horses and give riding and roping lessons. Still have insurance from my "real" job, where I was a software developer.

Brian Cody
www.myspace.com/onrycowboy

mimin

03-22-2008, 03:11 PM

Since 2003 I have been looking 4 a job. I fill out applications, not only for graphic design, but also for customer service, and other positions. I never get call backs.
I don’t know the problem. I do run my own freelance design company. www.ETdesigns.us (http://www.ETdesigns.us) & www.PicturteMusicVideos.com (http://www.PicturteMusicVideos.com) . I get small jobs here and there, but not enough and not steady. I also run the largest adaptive action sports website in the world, www.ExtremeChairing.com (http://www.ExtremeChairing.com) . its all none profit, really I make nothing, still waiting for those big sponsors. I am currently working on a project and starting a business that will give freedom to people with disabilities. Top secret but coming spring of 2008 ;)
Is the secret out yet? :)
I am sooo impressed by what you did.

Before my sci 3 yrs ago, I was in the middle of studying bio-medical engineering. I wasn't very interested in it but I wanted to start uni and that's where I ended up. I went back for two semesters after the sci, but it was so impractical: organising transportation, having to be home to cath every 6 hrs. I ended up not going to any classes 2nd semester, learning at home w/a tutor. So I quit; like I said it didn't interest me so much.

So now i do sfa all day. I would maybe go back to school if I could find something that I would like, but, alas, I am a dispassionate person. :(

Bspill1

03-22-2008, 05:35 PM

ryebread,

You ever start CAD classes?

I went a similar route with work. My injury happened three years into a union career in the trades, fire sprinklers. I had no interest in design/drafting or sitting in an office but knew that was an easy in. After finishing two of the five classes in and AutoCAD bachelors program at the JC I went back to work at a fire sprinkler contractor. I needed my younger brothers help just to buy stuff online before my injury. So learning CAD in the beginning was a little tough. I totally love it now. AutoCAD, not the job. Building stuff was great, especially with union wages and benefits, but the business and of it blows.

Have you checked with Ford's design department to find out what software they are using? They may be using a program that is better at three dimensional design. Something like Solid Works. I tried to go back to the JC for Solid Works classes myself but just couldn't hang after working all day. I also realized I could teach myself. Sitting through a couple classes was a nice little intro.

C5 complete, injured almost 5 years ago at 23

Them Bones

03-22-2008, 10:26 PM

coming up on my nickel aniversary of living l.o.w. I am an engineering technician (paid internship) Full time in college (aerospace engineering).

rybread

03-23-2008, 05:37 AM

I was just about to head toward taking my classes when I got these pressure sores. Once again stupid little medical things holding me back. It's not the first time but hopefully the last. As far as the software, I Have Solid Works on my computer and play with it once in a while it would help if I had something to draw out on it. I put a couple of my ideas through it but I haven't submitted them yet. Hopefully next semester will be the semester I can go back if not just China direct placement job with on-the-job training.

canuck

03-24-2008, 01:49 AM

Moderators is there anyway that that two what do you do for threads can be merged into one thread? I know threads can be merged on some boards.

barondidit

03-24-2008, 05:01 AM

that would be cool if an admin cold merge the threads.

RehabRhino

03-24-2008, 05:22 AM

that would be cool if an admin cold merge the threads.

Done:)

barondidit

03-24-2008, 03:25 PM

Thanks rhino
Hmmm what do like to do???? not quite sure yet. I managed tshir screenpinting companies for 15 years. I DO know how to run one from the bottom up. I think i could easily run my own print shop.....if i had the capital/credit. so its back to school, but for what?? im so scared of having myy ssdi and section8 taken because i started working. Yes, the ammount is poor, and not enogh to live on, neither were most of the jobs i had before sci. Is scary as fuck to me that ill be busting my ass in pain, at a job for the same ammount im getting from the govt.....from/by PAYING TAXES by me/you. Rather be fishing like some others if thats gona be the case.
WHAT Is THIS SECRET FROM J@EXTREME??? free me!!
Could someone please explain in detalil what the 9 month waiv period is and how it works exactly.