Why doesn't a "Work/Employment" forum exist?

[Wheelieboy]

I notice that a lot of subjects come up from periodically regarding issues in the workplace and was wondering why a work/employment forum doesn't exist. I am sure there are just as many people here who want to work as there are working, and are just unsure or as to what to expect within the workplace coming back with an SCI. Questions regarding employment issues usually appear in the "Life" forum and while work is a part of life, life certainly shouldn't evolve around work. Is there just not a desire or need for one? I'm just asking....

[teesieme]

Grrreeeaaat idea wheelie! ...include education...ssi/ssdi...etc. all in one~

[cass]

Excellent idea, imo. Work/SSDI/SSI forum.

[canuck]

Another vote for a work forum

[Tiger Racing]

I am sure there are just as many people here who want to work as there are working
That's not the impression I get.

C.

[bob clark]

That's not the impression I get.

C.

If I may be so inquisitive to ask, how are you employed?

B.

[KVP612]

That's not the impression I get.

C.

'Cause you've got a great bead on how nearly 15,000 registered members feel & act...


Anyways back to topic, I also like the idea of a work forum, but I would make it a work/education forum (& SSDI). Education is key for many people to get back into a job post sci, especially those who were craftsmen/tradesmen/skilled labor. I have a friend who's a steamfitter, who just incurred a c4-c6 injury, he won't be returning to any construction sites in his previous capacity any time soon

[zillazangel]

That's not the impression I get.

C.

Well that's rather snitty of you isn't it?

Back to topic, I think a work forum is a great idea.

[Wheelieboy]

That's not the impression I get.

C.

Well, let's put it to a poll. Tiger, I don't think you are correct in your impression as the subject has come up numerous times on this board and many people have had lots of questions about how returning to work, dealing with accomodations in the workplace, managing the SSI/SSDI piece, how to proceed in the application interview/process etc.

I just think these subjects would be much easier to address if they were consolidated in one area.

[Lizbv]

Me too. After SCI, I went from 30$ a month in the NH, utilized BVR (DVR), college, got job, and off the system. It's a VERY complex thing when SSDI, SSI, Medicare, Medicaid, etc are involved and we all can learn from each other.

Good idea Wheelieboy! We may not always explain things correctly because our situations are all unique, but at least it gets the lights turned on.:D

[JenJen]

I like it! Getting back to work is complicated and the fear of losing essential services in the process can be daunting.

I think a lot of people would like to work but don't know how to go about without being penalized by the system.

[addiesue]

'Cause you've got a great bead on how nearly 15,000 registered members feel & act...

lol :laughabv:

I think it's a good idea. I've struggled with some of this myself having to go back to work so quickly due to my situation. Including higher education would be great also.

[betheny]

Tiger, was that meant as shitty as it sounded??? :confused: It really sounded like you were passing judgment on a large number of people, implying that we are by and large an unmotivated lot.

I hope that we are misreading the superior judgmental tone. We can't all be paraplegic race car drivers, right?

I hate to suggest another forum but I agree this info is essential to our community especially. We are blessed with a lot of experienced members and their knowledge could really help.

[onaroll]

Tiger, was that meant as shitty as it sounded??? :confused: It really sounded like you were passing judgment on a large number of people, implying that we are by and large an unmotivated lot.

I hope that we are misreading the superior judgmental tone. We can't all be paraplegic race car drivers, right?

I hate to suggest another forum but I agree this info is essential to our community especially. We are blessed with a lot of experienced members and their knowledge could really help.
you made dietcoke come out of my nose ...thanks for the giggle

[leenie]

I think it's a great idea for a Forum. I've been working since I was 18 as a part time job in school. Yes I was in my chair then. Have been since I was 5. By the way I'm 45 now. I believe work is very fullfilling and gives you a purpose in life. Everyone is different though and in different situations at different times in their lives so we sahould'nt either laud or condemn people for the choices they make after SCI. It really sucks to have suffered from an SCI and we all cope in different ways and I think that's OK. Being in the chair most of my life may have motivated me to overcome my disability more than somedone injured later in life.

I do feel that Tiger's post was inappropriate but have noticed she is pretty open with her opinions.

[2jazzyjeff]

If I may be so inquisitive to ask, how are you employed?

B.She's only mentioned it a bazillion times. :rolleyes:

Being born with a silver spoon in her mouth didn't hurt either.

[hoff_10]

I think the forum is a great idea. I've now been employed fror 3 years post injury (I worked pre-injury too) and I know navigating the system's can be tricky and daunting. Especially in states with no Medicaid buy-in option.

[Bhaskar]

This is a great Idea. I think this will help people who lost their job after SCI.

[Juke_spin]

I've got to weigh in with the higher ed./ work forum people on this. I got the former but, due to a number of reasons having to do with both life/medical traumas and childhood programing, never "joined the workforce". At 63 I'm wishing I had while I had the chance. I'm ready now but neither the employers nor my body are.
Creating such a forum would almost automatically "graduate" some of our more experienced members to....ah, forget that.

It's a great idea.

[Broknwing]

I think the idea of a work/education forum is a great idea...I belive that there was discussion/request quite a while back about an education forum..I don't know where that went...I would hope that this effort would garner enough interest to support the formation of a forum dedicated to education and employment issues...not to exclude ssi/ssdi...I think that these issues/questions/etc would def be more easily visible and less easily lost if they were in their own forum.

[Tiger Racing]

'Cause you've got a great bead on how nearly 15,000 registered members feel & act...
Nope, but I can certainly comment on my observations of the most vocal members.

C.

[november]

I think the forum is a great idea. I've now been employed fror 3 years post injury (I worked pre-injury too) and I know navigating the system's can be tricky and daunting. Especially in states with no Medicaid buy-in option.Do you know where to find a list of which states have this option?

[Andy]

Nope, but I can certainly comment on my observations of the most vocal members.

C.

Yeah really, why bother with a work forum, you know all us SCI losers are just a bunch of lazy ass good for nothings. I mean just look at us, just casually sitting there motionless, we're a bunch of real go-getters, eh? I know myself I'd prefer to be getting my $350 a month off of Social Security and buying dog food with my foodstamps, but I am just too lazy and shiftless to bother quitting my job, oh well.

+1 on the werk forum. I'm sure I can suggest ways to dodge responsibility and maximizing the lack of work output, I'm real good at that. Uh oh, I think the boss is coming...time to grab the clipboard and look serious, makes me look real busy!

[Liz321]

Great idea!

I'd like to know the system and how to work it. I've been working and like cass I'm getting tired. I went p/t and now $ is a rarity.


i see some guys set up trusts and foundations etc. I want to be rich too!

[addiesue]

Nope, but I can certainly comment on my observations of the most vocal members.

C.


Go ahead. We are all waiting anxiosly for your wisdom.:thinking:

[hoff_10]

Do you know where to find a list of which states have this option?

http://www.workworld.org/wwwebhelp/medicaid_buy_in.htm

This site has a list but it really needs to be updated as more states in the pending colum have passed a buy-in like Idaho.

You can also learn more about a buy-in at

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/TWWIA/07_BuyIn.asp

and

http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/disability/medicaidbuy-in.asp

[Leif]

A work/education forum is a great idea (and maybe the Tiger also could get a decent job then).

[LaMemChose]

Nope, but I can certainly comment on my observations of the most vocal members.

C.

Those who are most vocal don't necessarily represent the majority.

As for an education/work forum, I'm all for. Returning to work or school isn't as simple as finding a job or just picking class schedules. There are myriad factors to be considered.

[betheny]

Nope, but I can certainly comment on my observations of the most vocal members.

C.

Pride goeth before a fall. I hope you aren't as insufferably SMUG as you seem to be in this thread. Ick.

You seem to imply that the majority of us are welfare-mentality. I guess we were all hoping for SCI so we could collect that big paycheck (and that primo government health insurance) and never have to work for a living.

You were blessed in family resources and injury level.

I'd love to be happy for you. But. You. Seem. So. SMUG.

I'm sorry to go off topic. This thread is important.

P.S. I'd like links to the lazy vocal majority, please.

________________________

Like LaMem said, SO many factors. From cathing to adaptations to transportation to insurance to transitioning to schedules to job opportunities. What a wide range of experiences Carecure has to offer. Doctors, lawyers, activists, dispatchers, students, computer programmers. Even race car drivers. (No joggers though! :p )

[leenie]

Yay Betheny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

You Are Sooooooo Right

[Leif]

As for the poll here now, 100% says it is a good idea, I can’t recall to have seen such a clear poll lately. Thus serious thoughts should be given to create such a forum I think, I also think there are many here with great experiences say as for giving educational advices etc. especially to the younger ones.

[Wheelieboy]

Well there is an obvious interest in creating such a forum and those that don't care to visit just need not. It's that simple.

I'm actually in the process of buying a franchise HR/staffing service that's how the idea came up. It's a bold move for anyone--most certainly someone with an SCI.

At this point I would rather be my own boss and create my own opportunities and help others manipulate the employment maze. I have completed the initial franchise screening processes and am now just waiting on my application to be approved. Once that's done I'll receive the UFOC (uniform franchise offering circular) which will give me a more specific breakdown of the business. This company has over 500 offices across the country and if all goes according to plan, I will be the first owner in wheelchair. It's a lot of work, but I think the reward will be worth it. I may have lost my legs, but my mind is still intact and I intend to use it to take care of myself if nothing else.

[orangejello]

Nope, but I can certainly comment on my observations of the most vocal members.


:(

I can never understand negativity just for the sake of being negative...


Back to topic: As someone with a new injury trying very hard to figure out what I am going to do with the rest of my life, I think an employment /education forum would be very beneficial in providing a place for those contemplating or struggling with work and school to get support and advice. At some point I hope to return to school but find the thought of it very overwhelming and intimidating. Reading about how others do it, their challenges and successes, would be very benefical.

[LaMemChose]

Pride goeth before a fall. I hope you aren't as insufferably SMUG as you seem to be in this thread. Ick.

You seem to imply that the majority of us are welfare-mentality. I guess we were all hoping for SCI so we could collect that big paycheck (and that primo government health insurance) and never have to work for a living.

You were blessed in family resources and injury level.

I'd love to be happy for you. But. You. Seem. So. SMUG.

I'm sorry to go off topic. This thread is important.

P.S. I'd like links to the lazy vocal majority, please.

________________________

Like LaMem said, SO many factors. From cathing to adaptations to transportation to insurance to transitioning to schedules to job opportunities. What a wide range of experiences Carecure has to offer. Doctors, lawyers, activists, dispatchers, students, computer programmers. Even race car drivers. (No joggers though! :p )

Thanks for saying what I'm thinking, B.

C, take away your hand function, your ability to sit upright without leaning permanently, perpetually to one side, THEN, talk to me about people not wanting to work.

Oh, and throw in a dose of epilepsy precluding any chance of driving to and from work or for work. Prospective employers may get beyond obvious disability, but seize while at work and watch that job disappear. It happened to me. Yeppers, I lost that job I'd returned to after seizing twice on air. Was neither pretty nor funny.

That doesn't make me lazy.

I've returned to school, not that I need a medal for it, but I've returned. The obstacles to additional education are more numerous than I'd have dreamed, but not insurmountable. Still, it's sucking the limited energy and any physical abilities I have.

I'm. Slowly. Rolling. on.

Keeping myself fed and dressed and clean and dry and happy and healthy and transferred and pooped and voided and bills paid and skin kept intact and equipment maintained and groceries shopped and me befriended and seeing family is a freakin' fulltime job. Add school so I may possibly return to work after additional education and I'm tapping into reserve energy to get it all done.

I don't begrudge you your success, C. I'm happy for you, glad when those among our ranks do well, have success in any way.

However, never make the mistake of using your good furtune as an opportunity to slam others who don't have the same physical abilities as you, don't have the finanial resources from family as you.

I don't fault you for your family's resources. When one doesn't have to be concerned about where the groceries are coming from or how to keep care providers to avoid nursing home placement, there are unlimited choices in life.

You aren't better than, aren't the guiding light for others to follow in the tire tracks of your chair. Yes, you work hard, but you also got incredibly lucky by birth and by the lower level of your injury.

Never mistake such luck as being more blessed, more driven, more good gimp than anyone else. You just aren't.

[Chaz19]

I think it's a fantastic idea. Personally, I haven't found many services that have been able to give pertinent info on how to get back to work/school.

It often seems that the system is set up for failure -- I'm all for listening to how others have been able to find a new career or continue with the added challenges of health insurance/care/transportation/access and other roadblocks.

[Tiger Racing]

That doesn't make me lazy.
I don't know if I'll bother responding to much else from this thread later today when I have more time, but I do want to say one thing.

You guys have issues. A few people (a vocal minority?) have read a great deal into a very few words. The only concrete thing that anyone can factually claim I've said is that it has not been my impression that a great many unemployed people posting here want to get back to work. Period. From there you guys have made wild leaps and bounds to some angry conclusions. Nobody can quote me as saying that anybody here is lazy or a loser. I didn't attack anyone directly or even indirectly, but some feel justified in personally slamming me. Tell me again, how does that make me the bad guy?

Nobody here can deny the fact that there are some people posting to these boards who have flat out stated that they do not have any intention of seeking work for themselves in the forseeable future. Sure, there are various reasons why people are making that decision, but the fact remains and that is ALL that I commented on. You guys had hissy fits on your own.

Carry on.

C.

[LaMemChose]

I don't know if I'll bother responding to much else from this thread later today when I have more time, but I do want to say one thing.

You guys have issues. A few people (a vocal minority?) have read a great deal into a very few words. The only concrete thing that anyone can factually claim I've said is that it has not been my impression that a great many unemployed people posting here want to get back to work. Period. From there you guys have made wild leaps and bounds to some angry conclusions. Nobody can quote me as saying that anybody here is lazy or a loser. I didn't attack anyone directly or even indirectly, but some feel justified in personally slamming me. Tell me again, how does that make me the bad guy?

Nobody here can deny the fact that there are some people posting to these boards who have flat out stated that they do not have any intention of seeking work for themselves in the forseeable future. Sure, there are various reasons why people are making that decision, but the fact remains and that is ALL that I commented on. You guys had hissy fits on your own.

Carry on.

C.

That you have implied most don't wish to return to work from the "vocal" indicates your own bias toward other gimps. You really aren't better than.

Hissy fit? Not even on my worst day.

As for attitude, you have more than enough and it isn't positive. When you post here, it's to complain, negate, imply loads of what you view as what others are saying.

Your repeated disparaging comments, including nitpicking the posts of others, attempting to correct what others say, screams volumes of your own issues.

You repeatedly attempt to set yourself apart and above other mere mortal gimps, C. Get over yourself and get real.

[Leif]

Carry on.

C.
Tiger, if I might, and relax, no big a deal, I think you hinted to the thread I started why SCI'd should necessarily work in some way originally here, right? If so, don’t put each single word in a Excel spreadsheet table and do a calculus, that was a thread questioning why SCI’d should work “dead or alive” or "no matter". Above that I like you’re questioning ways in threads, and have also said so, I like you, and we need more ppl asking questions like you do (you’re a good person, just plain straight and direct sometimes, but so is many, including me). Ok, back to topic (for me)... I think it is a good idea with such a forum, many can give advices to many, by such a forum it will neither be a political forum where most is allowed, nor a general life forum, but a specific one addressing and discussing important things like work and education. I personally think it could have been a serious forum as for those topics and helped many. I think the idea here on top in the thread is great, not discussing my situation here, but the many, so again, great idea, one of the best ones for some time. To activate ppl as for work or other things is a good thing, and then maybe some that can’t see possibilities can pick up ideas from others as for education and work issues cause as we know, there is a lot of options if one can, it is just to be able to get the ideas, and then such a forum could be a melting pot for such ideas, maybe? A good idea I think, one can prosper through education and work, and if some want but don’t know how maybe advices and others experiences can be picked up for the ones that can but don’t know how to? And that of course can be many, often I guess many don’t know how (for the ones that can and want too I mean, but remember, many can't), maybe such a forum could help? I think so; I think it could be a good forum, a present and actual forum discussing important things.

(Maybe then lazy me also can find some inspiration to go back in time and start all over again lol)

[addiesue]

It's no point arguing she knows all. I normally don't post against anyone or say anything negative but for once I've read enough. Back to topic please.

[addiesue]

well said leif

[LaMemChose]

I think it's a fantastic idea. Personally, I haven't found many services that have been able to give pertinent info on how to get back to work/school.

It often seems that the system is set up for failure -- I'm all for listening to how others have been able to find a new career or continue with the added challenges of health insurance/care/transportation/access and other roadblocks.

Agreed, Chaz. The "system" can be maddening, can be fraught with layers, piles, mounds of buraucratic idiocy.

An example: For those who have Medicaid to provide life continuing essential care, accepting a scholarship to an ivy league uni can mean the end of those services. Yes, for some, a scholarship can be counted as income. Income.

How are some to get an education, use the wonderful brains and intellect they've been given when a scholarship is counted as income and the person relies upon skilled care to continue to live, to breathe?

I have yet to see a scholarship provide personal care, pay for essential medications, suction a trach, assist with b and b care. I have yet to see a scholarship pay for groceries, for food when acceptance of the scholarship can mean the loss of much needed, relied upon food stamps.

There has to be a way, but what is that way? For those like Lizbv/Betsy and Cass, who have navigated the system to return to work, their experience can be extremly beneficial. What works for some may not work for others, but to know someone else has done it shows possibility.

To maintain the possibilities, to have hope for a full life is essential to our spirits, to our being.

I hope for the creation of a forum for employent and education. I have much to learn. I'm looking to others.

[Leif]

I hope for the creation of a forum for employent and education. I have much to learn. I'm looking to others.
Agree and we learn as long as we live but put it this way La’Mem - it’s somehow strange such a forum don’t already exist, as for the magnitude of a change such discussions in such a forum potential could have I mean, by discussing with others? I think it should be looked into by adm and mods here. At the same time I guess it is difficult to decide which forums to have on such a website like this, but maybe this has not been discussed but feel it is important, and often as we know in life, just a single person with a single good idea can change things. Hat’s off to Wheelieboy for a good idea. I think it could help many.

Edit to add: Damn it La’Mem. I know we even have ppl in astrophysics and rocket science among other things here on these boards? Likewise some working with computers with great knowledge and so on. Have also seen several and many of them given great educational advises, just imagine all the experience here on this board, like how different we are with all the accumulated know-how in many fields, if not all! One just has to direct it in a good way, like a work/edu forum. I doubt a high school for example or for that matter a college or a university could find better counsellors than some among the members here (not me, but I’ve seen good things here). Why not? If it doesn’t work, then shut-down the forum after a while (beta test), I think it could work though.

[Mike Honcho]

I think there are perhaps too many forums (Food, Books, The Color of Yesterday's Poo, etc.), but something like this would be wonderful. I think a Vocational Resources forum would be awesome.

[betheny]

Carol, I asked if you meant to sound smug...actually I asked if you meant to sound shitty LOL. What you posted then sounded even more smug.

I'd like to know what you meant. We DO tend to read in more attitude than I think you intend sometimes. That's why I asked.

I really want to be happy for you and proud that you are one of us. It's more fun to see people thrive than fail...especially other women, and a fellow gimp at that.

I feel like Mr. Honcho above. We have many forums but this one could be great.

That said, I also know the wheels of moderation turn slowly. I'm sure they're discussing.

[cheesecake]

I might be able to squeeze in the time to help in a Work/Education forum if the moderators and Wise agree. I have a MS in Vocational counseling, worked in the private sector workers comp for awhile, returned to school on VR and I work now.

All that being said, I am an incomplete. Hasn't and still isn't easy, but boy do I wish I had had someone to light the way for me.

Anyway, I am willing to moderate and share resources if the Management Team agrees to a new Forum and no one objects to me doing it.

[jerryblt06]

It's no point arguing she knows all. I normally don't post against anyone or say anything negative but for once I've read enough. Back to topic please.

Well said addiesue..

[teesieme]

That's not the impression I get.

C.


... why, why, why even write, let alone think as such? sigh.

I don't know you, didn't realize you raced, am a bit envious but happy for you if you have supportive family in ways of finances as well emotional support, finding your way in life with sci...

By writing as I am going to here, let me say first I am not looking to have a pity party. Rather to allow you to see one person(s) very personal side when it comes to the differences of- when it comes to the choices, the sacrifices- I have(d) and make(made)- financially, emotionally, etc.- out of love, trust and faith...and of course hope.

My son wanted to pursue his career for a job he loves a couple years before it finally came together that he could...not because we didn't believe he could do it... so why? Because between me, his step dad, his real father, family and the system itself/his V/R counselor, etc. etc... well not a one of us could get our shit together, personally or professionally. Between broken promises made throughout the years with his dads, the resentment of one and the procrastiation of the other, it was all I could do to try to keep my sanity with them being an important part of my son's life- he loves them...
Anyhow, there we were, the kid and I, the only ones who dared, who knew, who believed he could do the mechanic work he dreamed of and would someday have his own specialty business.

Long story as short as I can make it---throughout the first years trusting family to come through with at the least yet most emotional support with our efforts in readying for/his attendance at a school just an hour away, and the local V/R helping us figure it out...well...what a waste of time.

Then an offer/opportunity came for a job south in another state for me and the thought of one of the leading technical schools being within the state...my marriage deteriorating rapidly, I thought what the hell... I am going for it! Maybe there, we can try again all around, for the kid, with my marriage, etc. I found renewed hope in starting over. We went literally on a wing and prayer. There was just enough money to move, pay rent and start over by selling our home.

But what a trusting, optimistic fool I can be, ;), the "job" promising an eventual liveable income added to my husbands, offering me connections in areas of research for my kid and helping others, well, let's just say it wasn't as professionally set up as needed. (Although, gratefully, I did make research connections/friends I'd hoped for... hello all! and tried to help others.)
Yet somehow in the midst of chaos and now being in unfamiliar big city, state surroundings ad a whole different "system" my son and I managed to eventually find a V/R counselor who believed in him and he enrolled in the technical school of his dreams. Fast forward to my hub telling me he was going home with or without me... well we packed up, the kid having to move back temporarily while we prayed V/R would come through with a manual standing chair awaiting his return in a few months. So I did what I could from Mn. at least knowing where we needed to find housing and when... taking it one day at a time.

What a nightmare I returned to, those three months with all the old stress/relationship problems coming back to haunt me full force...and it should've been no surprise when the ex, his family backed out at the last minute helping financially to get the kid back south, somehow forgetting promises made when the kid was first injured and thereafter with the first attempt falling through...but somehow between my one sis who has always been with us heart and soul, with what the kid and I had borrowed/put away- barely enough to get there and praying there would be enough for renting a house we had less than two weeks to find/let alone qualify for- my son, his two friends/roomies and I were once again traveling into the unknown on a wing and prayer.

Between motel hell of hookers, drugs, etc. we were stuck in and not daring to even spend a cent on a night out- the hotel charging our room double- we found a rental home half ars accessible. Yaaaa- :) so I had to try saving money by trying to bleach out a maggot infested refrigerator when the house rental's broke, ewww, not cool- figure something else out and blah, blah, blah.

But guess what?

When the time came for my son and I to say our goodbyes, when my heart literally felt like it broke in a good but when will I see you again way (he could finally be free~)- my son said to me, with tears welling in his eyes, "Thanks ma. I know it hasn't been easy but this is my chance and I'm going to do my best. I'll be okay."

And he has, and he's making things happen, trying so hard to not ask anything from me...

he doesn't know it but I've been living the past couple months in a place without water- I pay very little rent for- (doing so because the owners don't know- as out of gratitude for their helping me so that I am able to help my son and the cost that would be to repair a broken water line mid-winter, I don't want to cost them extra...I will dig up the old farm water line that froze/cracked and replace it in the spring), now I am catching up/paying off bills so I can hopefully get my own place and start over again as my son does all he can to find his way towards his working full time one day.

Sooo, my point of this sharing this with you is, I hope this changes your impression, (no matter the dumbass I've been relationship wise...) assistance and guidance from family, the system and what have you isn't so easy to navigate, nor reliable/accountable and for most us it comes down to sacrificing one thing for another.

edit as somehow when the server went down it didn't take...

In ways, the kid and I had it easier than many do...we had eachother. I could never judge someone who just might not have even one person to guide them, family/system or at a different level of injury with limited independence~

I hope this helps to change impressions...
Btw, as said I am not looking for a pity party, nor a pat on the back let alone to fight.

[cheesecake]

I took this to Moderators to see if their was an interest in the Forum.

[LaMemChose]

I took this to Moderators to see if their was an interest in the Forum.

Yay! Thanks, Cheesecake. :)

[RehabRhino]

I think it's a good idea. As a C5/6 quad who works I'm not ashamed to say that there's times I would be very happy not to work and I don't judge anyone who chooses not to. Working with SCI is not easy but I think it's kept me sane and sociable - not to mention solvent.

I was lucky, I returned to a very good job post injury. I'm arrogant enough to believe I would have secured myself a job if I'd had to start again but I would also have sought insight from CC

[teesieme]

Btw,

One big reason I even dared, was able to stay strong enough and find my way to help him find his way, was CC. TY! :)

[sjean423]

I think it is a great idea. I know that I am still trying to get back out there, and dealing with all the issues involved ... pain, medical, accessibility, logistics, etc, etc, sometimes seem insurmountable. Having a forum to get help from others who have successfully managed to do this would be great. I know from many scattered threads we have many members who DO this (cass, titantium4motion, theophania, lynnifer, even tiger .... never mind there are too many to list) as well as many who want to. Members who are not working and aren;t medically or physically capable of working at this point in time are welcome to read or not.

Tiger, you could add so much to this topic if you posted information as to exactly HOW you are able to manage as well as you do, instead of simply implying that you are so much better than everyone else. If that is not what you mean to imply, perhaps you need think before you type, as That's not the impression I get. but that is just MY observation of one of our more vocal members.

[ginamarie]

That's not the impression I get.

C.

You are something else! I am betting that you are even more obnoxious now that you are SCI, because you think that gives you a license to say whatever comes to mind and you also are under the mistaken impression that
A: you are always right, and
B: that anyone gives a damn what you think!

To everyone else:
I just can't keep quiet anymore when I read her mean-spirited, self-righteous posts.

[betheny]

May I add-teesieme rocks. Why you aren't bitter escapes me, but you are sure a good mom. :)

(My mom, bro and I spent a winter w/ no water once. It sucked, we lived.)

PS_Cheese, thnks, I think you'd be a great mod for this (hypothetical)forum.

[cass]

i want to thank cheesecake for offering to mod. i hope this encourages the formation of this forum along with the overwhelming majority opinion in this thread's poll. ty wheelie for this thread.

i agree with rhino; work has been my salvation. however, it has been 21 yrs (dis and working) for me and it is taking its toll. which, in itself, is a very scary thought for me...what will i do?

anyway, one thing i'd like to say is: it is possible to work and get ssdi. this is due to work related expenses and solely dependent on those expenses offsetting SGA. i have explained this many times, but if there were a work forum, some of these basic facts (and a link to the SSA Redbook for U.S. folks) could be kept as a sticky at the top of the forum. just a thought.

teesie...you are one tough and admirable person!

[Andy]

Great story Teesieme! Was that Wyo Tech by any chance?

Aww heck, I'll throw my hat into the ring too...make me a mod! I love to have that feeling of omnipotence ruling with an iron fist over my little corner of this board should I be chosen for the position http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/amichalski00/freakfight.gif.

All sarcasm aside, I'm serious. I know my last hat toss for mod was denied due to a few somewhat unwholesome posts around here, but every board needs a good pest I think. This is focusing on a topic that is kind a near and dear to me, and I'm a shining example of how rampant agression (uhh, I mean advocating for myself), leads to continued gainful employment. Heck, I know how to work the system too...SSDI can be a windfall profit at times. So what say ye?

Pluuuuueeeezzzzeeee!!!

LOL, but if you need a mod that is a fairly knowledgable of such things, and can be non-sarcastic at times...look no further. :p

[LaMemChose]

Great story Teesieme! Was that Wyo Tech by any chance?

Aww heck, I'll throw my hat into the ring too...make me a mod! I love to have that feeling of omnipotence ruling with an iron fist over my little corner of this board should I be chosen for the position http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/amichalski00/freakfight.gif.

All sarcasm aside, I'm serious. I know my last hat toss for mod was denied due to a few somewhat unwholesome posts around here, but every board needs a good pest I think. This is focusing on a topic that is kind a near and dear to me, and I'm a shining example of how rampant agression (uhh, I mean advocating for myself), leads to continued gainful employment. Heck, I know how to work the system too...SSDI can be a windfall profit at times. So what say ye?

Pluuuuueeeezzzzeeee!!!

LOL, but if you need a mod that is a fairly knowledgable of such things, and can be non-sarcastic at times...look no further. :p

Well, if you aren't chosen mod, there's always Mr. Congeniality, eh? :p

[cass]

Roflmao! :) :)

[teesieme]

... :) ... ty.


omg, this would've been my shortest post! Just haaaaad to ruin it, now didn't I?

and of course an edit- nope Andy, ( u r soooo funny btw) although Wyotech was where he had been planning to go prior his getting injured.

[Leif]

No problem Tiger mum.

[lynnifer]

I think Andy would be terrific as a mod in this new forum!

[alhavel]

Teesieme,
That's one HELL of a story,,, you really had some tough going, and I guess you know all too well what tough love is all about. I am working a little more and more, and I do alot of mechanical work, welding, and anything else i once did with ease. Yes it's been tough, and I've really only got my father to help me in and out of trouble. Of course he's brought a project home for me to help out now, and I'm off to read the riot act to him, sometimes he gets a little carried away. He almost refuses to beleive I can't do, me the dumb ass I am do that and more, guess I'm my own worst enemy. Hope you and your son can do better, sounds like he knows what he can and can't do, and what he wants to do.

[Obieone]

The most devastating aspect of Bill's injury was losing his ability to work. He always did very physical work either pipelining or working with heavy equipment but had finally settled down driving a rig hauling into the States and across the prairies. He had bought his own truck and had partnered up with a fella that owned about 6 other trucks ... it seemed like a match made in heaven ... and then he got hurt :( !

Things seemed bleak and then his partner suggested he do the dispatching for the company .... it took some determination on his part .. he had never so much as clicked a mouse up to that point but he taught himself to use the computer and utilize the internet and we thought he'd found his niche. Not ..... he got sick and stayed sick with a variety of ailments from pressure sores to a bad gall bladder ... his partner had to get someone else to do the dispatching and well ... the rest as they say is history. Even if he could go back to dispatching .. the drugs he takes now make his mind fuzzy, he has no stamina and has trouble concentrating.

He does do some civic work ... he is a Town Councillor and does some work with the Rural Municipality sitting on various committees ... but its nothing compared to what he once did and even after almost 9 years it still breaks my heart to watch him "make the best of it" ! I'm probably going to be criticized for being sexist here but I've always believed that most men believe they "are" what they "do" (for a living) ... take that away from them and it devastates their soul . I have a feeling women by their very nature learn to adapt and find a fit with a little less emotional baggage .....
..... what do we think???? .... its okay .. you can hit me with your best shot http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/sauer/angry-smiley-046.gif ..

Obieone
I think the forum is a great idea by the way ... and Tees {{{hug}}} .. for you!!

[bob clark]

Originally Posted by Wheelieboy
I am sure there are just as many people here who want to work as there are working

That's not the impression I get.

C.
I'll ask again.

If I may be so inquisitive to ask, how are you employed?

I'm forced to make some assumptions since I don't have any firsthand knowledge of you, your upbringing and current life. Be that as it may:

What is your level of education? Do you work in the family business or have you been able, on your own, to secure employment apart from it?

If it's the former, I'm curious to know how a child who grew up in a millionaire family is employed and just how much your employment has or is still costing your family? And how many alterations have been made on your behalf in the family workplace and how many "helpers" from your father's payroll does it take to keep you employed. And to keep you racing?

If it's the latter, that is you doing it on your own, please explain to the rest of us how it's done? Maybe you could help here a little instead of just posting your self-righteous negativisms.

As though I expect an honest and non-self-deluded answer.

Someone such as yourself, who has been given so much and who has the nerve to question the "work ethic" of less fortunate others, especially post SCI, just boggles the mind.

Perhaps, since my questions are directed to Tiger Racing, I should have posted this in the "Family" forum.

B.

[Juke_spin]

! I'm probably going to be criticized for being sexist here but I've always believed that most men believe they "are" what they "do" (for a living) ... take that away from them and it devastates their soul . I have a feeling women by their very nature learn to adapt and find a fit with a little less emotional baggage .....
..... what do we think???? .... its okay .. you can hit me with your best shot http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/sauer/angry-smiley-046.gif ..

Obieone
I think the forum is a great idea by the way ... and Tees {{{hug}}} .. for you!!
For once, Obieone, you and I are in compleate agreement, at least about the sexual identity/adaptability thing. I'm just not like "most guys"; not like most people either and I have no problem with it.I like myself (a good thing, as I've got to live with me:D) and I like being different and have done so without regret since my forties.

Sure, the higher ed./work/ssdi forum idea is not only a great one but fits in with one of the major themes/ethics of the CC Forums.

Bob, you made my day (I'm easily pleased).

[metronycguy]

the ability to return to work or work after injury has so many variables that it cannot be stereotyped.
insurance is probably on of the biggest hurdles, it would be irresponsible to give up medicaid without a comparable insurance coverage. the number 1 cause of bankruptcy is medical bills in this country.
type of employment before injury , can the person return to this work? many times this is impossible. the ada only protects you if you can do the essential task of your job.

age at time of injury, if your older and have good benefits and savings from a lifetime of working and contributing to ssdi and your retirement plan, it may be counterproductive to return to work. life generally sucks after injury, make it less sucky by not having to deal with stupid employment issues is a huge plus. not having to get up in the morning and go to work in the morning is priceless is my book!
chronic pain will keep someone out of the 9 to 5 workforce and school. they would have to be employed at places where not showing up at the drop of a hat is OK.
living location and family situation is also another big plus or minus. if you live in the boondocks, you employment opportunities are limited.
finances are a huge factor in returning to work. in order to work you may have to move to a urban environment where the cost of living is a lot higher the boondocks. education and living expenses while in college.
having supportive family or being on your own is another deal breaker.
Face it, family jobs are no different than living on state aid.
Basically it all comes down to money, if you have plenty of money you can do whatever you want to do.

[JenJen]

That's not the impression I get.

C.

I haven't wanted to pile on but here goes anyhow.

At a recent meeting of peer mentors, we were talking about the Big Three Questions:
1. Will I ever walk again
2. Will I have sex again
3. Will I be able to work

The order in which those questions are asked is usually determined by age and gender of the new SCI. So I for one think that work is paramount on the minds of many people who are newly injured.

I just finished a phone call with a newly injured patient, work was all she wanted to talk about. Finding purpose/self-worth is a big part of coming to terms with this new life. I find however, that the system seems designed to discourage people from pursuing work as an option.

Conflicting rules, misintirpretrations, uncarging beauracrats, etc. create a mountian so high that some (many?) give up in frustration or fear of losing what little they do have. Once you navigate far enough into the system that you finally have medications, equipment, PCAs, SSDI payments, etc on an even keel, how much are you willing to risk to go back to work?

IMHO, the "system" is hostile to those who wish to break out of the cookie-cutter mold we've been placed in. I don't blame those who have given up or gotten so much misinformation that they think they can't work.

This proposed forum would be a great place to begin breaking down those obstacles.


Disclaiimer: sliced off the top of my finger last niht. creates lots of typos. :zombie:

[Wheelieboy]

living location and family situation is also another big plus or minus. if you live in the boondocks, you employment opportunities are limited.
finances are a huge factor in returning to work. in order to work you may have to move to a urban environment where the cost of living is a lot higher the boondocks. education and living expenses while in college.
having supportive family or being on your own is another deal breaker.
Face it, family jobs are no different than living on state aid.
Basically it all comes down to money, if you have plenty of money you can do whatever you want to do.

You hit it dead on Mike. I live in a metro area and the opportunities are plentiful but the competition for jobs is ridiculous. I think the easiest way to get a gig post injury is through a network of contacts. Rolling around from interview to interview would get old quick. I think that we all can benefit from learning how to "pimp" the system.

[Lizbv]

There has to be a way, but what is that way? For those like Lizbv/Betsy and Cass, who have navigated the system to return to work, their experience can be extremly beneficial. What works for some may not work for others, but to know someone else has done it shows possibility.

.

Thanks Mem. there are others, also.

[alhavel]

Disclaiimer: sliced off the top of my finger last niht. creates lots of typos. :zombie:

You're supposed to drop the knife off the counter, and onto your bare foot, the instep, take it from an expert, I do it often. I hate shoes, too much protection.

[metronycguy]

probably a good idea to add financial to the work/employment
forum. caveat about buying a home, being a independent contractor as opposed to an employee. how not to invest any money you are saving.

[sjean423]

anyway, one thing i'd like to say is: it is possible to work and get ssdi. this is due to work related expenses and solely dependent on those expenses offsetting SGA. i have explained this many times, but if there were a work forum, some of these basic facts (and a link to the SSA Redbook for U.S. folks) could be kept as a sticky at the top of the forum. just a thought.

excellent point

the ability to return to work or work after injury has so many variables that it cannot be stereotyped.
.
.
<snip for space>
.
.

Basically it all comes down to money, if you have plenty of money you can do whatever you want to do.
You hit all the key points of getting {back} to work right on!

[JenJen]

You're supposed to drop the knife off the counter, and onto your bare foot, the instep, take it from an expert, I do it often. I hate shoes, too much protection.

LOL. There should be some cosmic law that having survived all of this, we should be exempt from hurting the places that we CAN feel! :)

[teesieme]

alhavel, the road has been tough but not so tough as for others. Although I came close to losing my mind often enough...
I left out mucho parts, like my expressing to friends prior our departure of my getting hauled off to jail if anyone else tried to mess with me. heh.
As it turned out Motel hell (Studio Six) almost pushed me over the edge with charging my card over almost six hundred dollars besides not having the rooms we reserved and never getting them (on top of the kids initial room was reserved on the second floor...!). The cops were called about the 'lady' who scared the clerk as she was closing up, demanding they right their error that I'd caught days before... hee hee...;)~ first for me!

And then there was the day before I was to leave. I had just cried my heart out over all the bullshit we'd been through, only my sis truly giving a crap when I needed someone, to finally getting settled somewhat~ nothing was going right, the fridge, etc. then the washing machine broke... exhausted but thankful the kids had a place... well it's a good thing I had let it all out privately over a cup of crappachino, took a deep breath and got tough again as I do. Still a bit cranky, a bit peessed off but that was a good thing because-
after finally locating the laundromat while unloading laundry baskets, this car pulls up on the other side of my truck. I sensed something...especially when the guy bent to look quickly into the truck, then making his way around it way to fast. I had backed away from being caught inside the door...my instincts were telling me he was scary. So as I distanced myself from him, holding up the bleach bottle I was ready to swing at his head... I said calmly but firmly, "what's up?" I think I caught him off guard, he stopped and as he said "oh, I just thought you could use some help"...he slighty turned away and I caught a glimpse of something metal he slid from his palm into his jacket sleeve??? Naaaaah. :0
"No thanks, I said, but nice of you to offer." He then comes a bit closer, I back away more. He stops, I stop. Then says to me, "but I can wash your clothes for you"... Now I'm mad, athough I'm scared... so I tell him, "noooo, I will wash them. Listen, ummm, hey what's your name?" "Eduardo." "Okay, Eduardo, I am Teresa. Listen, I've had a really bad day, couple weeks, years and I am REALLY CRABBY! Thank you but it's best if you leave me alone, okay?!" *Zoinks!* Well, I think I flabbergasted him as I shocked myself, he paced a bit returning to his car, I watched him and then I boogied up to the laundromat.
I realized then I had just danced with a demon, as I began shaking. I was sooo upset at myself when I couldn't see his license let alone the make of the car...worrying for the next person he approaches. That part bothers me still.
What I think is if things woudn't have been so tough the last few weeks, I wouldn't have been on guard, and who knows. Sometimes it's good to cry and then get peessed.
(see betheny, I'd be good for DC...lol :))

Anyhow, alhavel, it warms my heart that your father is there for you... and that you are able to read him the riot act lovingly, he believes in you~ way cool. :)

It's so true what you say metronguy, "...the ability to return to work or work after injury has so many variables that it cannot be stereotyped."

We really should and need to pull together on this, a forum with all branches of~ in one.

jen, i agree so much with your opinion of, ..."the "system" is hostile to those who wish to break out..." and being forced to make choices with"...how much are you willing to risk to go back to work?" The differences between ssi and ssdi are so mind boggling. Add the risks in ways of losing benefits medically, etc. as well physically. Ack!

Obie, it sounds like you have a most wonderful man, lucky you (and him).

~as I read this now I'm thinkin' girl you must be in dire need of company, someone who's shared similar life experiences...perhaps I should edit and delete ;)...but nahhhh, this took just as long as the other to write, so far you've put up with me. okay...back to topic.

[alhavel]

T,
Well I changed the oil, and serviced 2 trucks today, and built 28 feet of floor boards for a fish market, when I got done my father said to me, "This is the most work you've done in 3 years, all at once". Right now I'm so crippled it isn't even funny, 6 asprins, forgot morning med's, late on afternoons, it's a no wonder !! The grand finaly ? "You look shot, can you make it up the stairs?" Then he left to deliver the boards in MY truck, it's always a circus here. But I get stronger and better all the time, this time it may take a few days,,,OUCH!!!

[teesieme]

Al, sorry you are ouching but if the circus keeps making you stronger and you made it through most of the day with just aspirin...kudos. Floor boards for a 'fish' market? sweet! :)

[LaMemChose]

What's ivolved in the creation of a new forum at CC? Mods and Wise getting together to discuss?

[betheny]

Yep, Wise gives approval, it has to be named and given a "headline", moderation decisions made, Jeff does some sort of computer magic, and voila.

LOL, it takes forever!

[alhavel]

T,
Kind of like floor boards in a meat store, you can pick them up, if you're strong and wash off the tile floor underneath. Nothing but bad dreams and pain last night, now, plenty of rain here. That only degrades the situation I'm in, I knew it would be a couple of days. Maybe I can change the way I voted, and say that I'm lazy and don't want to go back to work, looks good from where I am today !!!! The 2 140 lb dogs think so, they don't want to move and they did NOTHING !!!!

[zillazangel]

Obie, something you said really hit home with me. Chad worked full time for 8 years as a computer programmer. Using a mouthstick. He is paralyzed completely from the neck down. Every damn day for 8 years, he worked. 8 am to 4:30 pm. His half hour lunch break was spent cathing and eating as quickly as possible. He had an attendant that got him up, fed him, showered him, drove him to work. He got up at 5:45 am to be there by 8 am. Then by the time he was home at 5 pm, it was lots more personal care, including eating, etc. Then he was usually off to a hockey game (tickets that were purchased from the income he earned, the van he rode there in purchased from the income he earned, leaving from the house his income, etc, etc), or socialize or would hang out on the computer. Say, yahoo personal ads. Where he met alot of riff-raff and eventually married her. :D

Chad's health, as most know here, has really sucked the last 2 years and he was ultimately forced to go onto long term disability as a result. And I say forced because I forced him to. He was actually having to PAY back his employer for all of his missed days because he was out of vacation, out of unpaid FLMA, out of everything. Between that and paying out of pocket by then (due to my income adding in as a married couple), he LOST over $1000 a month BY WORKING!! Not mention, he physically could not hack it.

His self worth plummeted. His self esteem, honestly, has yet to fully recover. He is a southerner, and steeped in the tradition that a man takes care of his wife and if not completely, at least contributes. And I keep asking him why he doesn't consider what he contributes to the family in ways other than monetary. But he just can't wrap his head around that, he feels guilty, feels like he should "work".

But not all work is paid. Its like the working outside the home vs. stay at home mom bullshit that women argue about. It sounds to me like Tiger has an extreme case of "I'm a working mom" and thus better than you lazy ass stay at home moms who don't actually work because you don't get a paycheck. And statements like hers absolute pound the crap out of disabled people who want to work but can't. For 100 different reasons.

So that's the impression of THIS particularly vocal member who has a lazy doesn't want to work husband. :thinking:

[LaMemChose]

Where are these spammers coming from? Ugh. How annoying. :zombie:

[teesieme]

T,
Kind of like floor boards in a meat store, you can pick them up, if you're strong and wash off the tile floor underneath. Nothing but bad dreams and pain last night, now, plenty of rain here. That only degrades the situation I'm in, I knew it would be a couple of days. Maybe I can change the way I voted, and say that I'm lazy and don't want to go back to work, looks good from where I am today !!!! The 2 140 lb dogs think so, they don't want to move and they did NOTHING !!!!


:( give yourself those couple days... hate bad dreams love dogs!

I'm thinking I'd better bug Jeff to fix my "chat" connection again, catch you there to continue conversation k? I will let you know when it works or you can pm me otherwise. :)

[Leif]

Where are these spammers coming from? Ugh. How annoying. :zombie:
Oops. At least them spammers made a new forum :thinking: :)

[LaMemChose]

Oops. At least them spammers made a new forum :thinking: :)

Hooray! The spammer's post was deleted. :)

Now. Still waiting to hear if a new forum will be created ...

[Leif]

Hooray! The spammer's post was deleted. :)

Now. Still waiting to hear if a new forum will be created ...
Lol. But as for such a forum LaMem, what would and could be the main bullet items for such a forum? A few items don’t need many, but maybe along these lines, what you think?

Info about education possibilities and the possibilities with experiences from others
Programs to achieve it? State or other programs. And where to get the knowledge from such programs if programs are needed outside regular educational programs to achieve a base of edu to join the work force.
Which jobs to get most income fastest based upon education as for being able to earn enough money and to prosper? This inline of what one want to do.
Info about educational and support programs available at a given time?I write it like this cause as SCI it is not to just get an education for youngsters or others to get a job and then take off, only for wannabe AB’s it is maybe.

If you should highlight likewise a few bullet items, what would they be La’Mem? Maybe other also can chime in? Just a few ideas from me here, also doubt I will chime in to much in such a forums, see where all this educational stuff landed me, huh

A very good idea though for a forum I think. Edu and info is mandatory, and if some are not able to work from such a forum I am quite sure it will be a good forum. Cause, the very important thing is that many of us can’t work regular jobs, thereby it has to be taken from there and moved further, sort of, well I mean, one has to go gentle in each step as for advises and so on given thath many and most ppl here has SCI and thereby has put us/I outside the workforce from start of. A good idea, still, if done right.

And hopefully crappy educational and crappy job advices will be censored and banned I hope (not meaning you, meaning en large) :) :D

[JenJen]

Leif,

I like your bullets but I would add:

The ins and outs of working with VR
Understanding how SSI/SSDI benefits are affected by working
Stopgaps for same
How to accrue assets (home/car/savings/investments) without impacting your benefits.
How to manage your health issues with your employer
When and how to discuss your needs related to your disability with your employer
Self-employment (frowned on by VR) vs working for "the man"
SBA and people with disabilitiesWho's next?

[alhavel]

Jen,
I think I'll stick to self-employment, and droping the knife off the counter, into my very soft boned feet, I couldn't drink milk as a child, maybe it did alot to save me, as none of my neck, or back completly broke, or caused splinters into my spine, despite having a building fall on top of me !!!!!!!!

[Leif]

Splendid jenlogdon, SSI/SSDI etc. should be included of course, very important, just wrote it a bit different, good job by highlighting such important programs (in fact, maybe such a edu/work forum also should include those abbreviations in the heading of such a forum?). Good items, this could in fact help adm and mods to do their streamlining of such a forum. Great ideas, I punch out here now cause you had much better ideas, next, as you say? :) Good thinking.

[Leif]

Jen,
I think I'll stick to self-employment, and droping the knife off the counter, into my very soft boned feet, I couldn't drink milk as a child, maybe it did alot to save me, as none of my neck, or back completly broke, or caused splinters into my spine, despite having a building fall on top of me !!!!!!!!
Al’
I don’t think such a forum will be a forum to get the most from gov, cause then what’s the point of such a forum as such? If I was asked I would have liked to se a forum discussing self employments, gov and other factors, all this in a melting pot where more grownups like me and for example you could have helped others, altough small input from me I think you can give a lot of good advices, right. I think you can agree on that. As for me, I’m doomed.

Al' you think such a forum is not a good thing, or (I probably misunderstood, hopefully)?

[JenJen]

Lief,

I think we're looking a whole continuum of issues from education to landing a job to keeping a job to managing the effects the job has on your health, wealth, benefits, etc. You hit the biggies on the education front. Do you have similar SSI/SSDI issues in Norway? Here the intracacies of these programs are maddening. and designed to keep you poor and dependent on the system ---oh IMHO:)

[JenJen]

Jen,
I think I'll stick to self-employment, and droping the knife off the counter, into my very soft boned feet, I couldn't drink milk as a child, maybe it did alot to save me, as none of my neck, or back completly broke, or caused splinters into my spine, despite having a building fall on top of me !!!!!!!!

AL~
Not sure where we'd put the milk drinking strategy, maybe SCI prevention? :thinking: :)

I agree that self-employment is often the best choice especially for people with unconventional lives. However, at least in my experience, newly injured people are directed to VR for help/retraining to get back to work. VR frowns on self-employment, at least here, I know it varies from state-to-state.

Here I often feel like it's a Ponzi scheme. I can easily get a job finding jobs for people with disablities. But getting out into the AB workforce seems out of the box down at VR. I've got tons of first-hand stories of people who found great job opportunities that would allow them to earn $75-$125K and they were actively discouraged by their VR councilors.

Personally, when I presented my own plan for restructuring my work to take advantage of my previous experience, I had buy in -- right up until they learned what I expected my hourly rate to be. "No one can earn $100 per hour." Even when I proved that I had earned even more than that AB and it complied with going market value, they suggested that I keep everything else the same but set my rate at a more reasonable $15 hour. :agog: I've had to go back to the drawing board to figure out how to meet my needs sans VR.

[alhavel]

The 15 years prior to my accident I was employed by a large printing company, and did all the plant moves and installations of equipment, as well as moving everything from garbage cans to 100 foot long printing presses. I was lucky enough to be on COBRA when I got hurt returning to something I had done for many years, and closer to home. Fortunatly none of those talents, all of them have gone to waste. I am very lucky to be alive, and doing some work, slowly returning to what I can only hope may be a full recovery one day. The forum is a great idea, and I hadn't noticed that there really wasn't one yet. Sometimes I forget the gifts that I have and have acquired, my will and determination to go ahead has never stopped. I like to encourage others to do as much as they can, I often take big risks, not something I would like to see others try. It does work for me, I'm 47, and not stopping for many years to come, hopefuly something can be done to return us all to where we once were. Never say never, my father is 76, still going strong, working, and encouraging me, when he's not driving me up a wall, He still thinks I am the person I was, he won't give up on me, it's been great. I put in a full day today, again, I'm slowly getting better. Got to keep on trying.

[Leif]

Lief,

I think we're looking a whole continuum of issues from education to landing a job to keeping a job to managing the effects the job has on your health, wealth, benefits, etc. You hit the biggies on the education front. Do you have similar SSI/SSDI issues in Norway? Here the intracacies of these programs are maddening. and designed to keep you poor and dependent on the system ---oh IMHO:)
No no, not so, I agree completely with you as for a forum, your bullet items etc. But I’ve not hit any big, just was lucky the SCI struck me at an old age. That’s me. I hope this will not be about such issues, cause I will float as such with problems and with minor economical problems, still when it comes to economy we all had our dreams on what we wanted to do, these days are gone, I wanted five castles in Italy and in Spain and accepted it gone, but living, old and living, old with some edu, still the idea of a edu forum was a good thing I thought, silly me.

Point is, why not accumulate all know how from SCI’d ppl in a forum when it comes to ways of education, how to do it and job opportunities? Likes I wrote above, such a forum should have been here long time ago, maybe?

Noting as vs US or Norway either as for systems. Systems not good enough will not help ppl wherever we live. The ones that can might help, maybe an edu forum?

Edit;
But as for similar to SSI/SSDI I am partly on it, my money invested throughout life, I’ve paid a lot into it, so why not having some in return, like a saving in a bank you see, still we’re a bit capitalistic and get some income from what we’ve saved outside the bank, but then again, I’m to old to understand all this.

[woman from Europe]

Lief,

I think we're looking a whole continuum of issues from education to landing a job to keeping a job to managing the effects the job has on your health, wealth, benefits, etc. You hit the biggies on the education front. Do you have similar SSI/SSDI issues in Norway? Here the intracacies of these programs are maddening. and designed to keep you poor and dependent on the system ---oh IMHO:)

The biggest problem in Norway is that nobody wants to give a wheel chair user a job. They prefer to give the jobs to the AB. So even if you have a good education and are a good worker, they just don't want. Another thing is that most of the jobs are in buildings that are not accessible and without a HC bathroom. I have an education like a doctor's secretary and I can't get a job because of the lack of accessibility of the three big hospitals in Oslo and the offices of the primary doctors.

And if I was very lucky and got a job, I loose 4000 N.kr, that is about $700 every month and I can't afford to loose that money. I need to pay my rent, food and other bills. So you can say the rules of the law is maddening here too :)

[Leif]

The biggest problem in Norway is that nobody wants to give a wheel chair user a job.
Well, then, how come Telenor and others while they have searched for handicapped employees can’t find any although everything there in Oslo and surrounded areas could be workable as for their business say no? Is the question not willing to take edu or on the other hand not to adapt while all the opportunities at Telenor is pffed at in Oslo?:zzz: You could have been their CEO by now wfe.

[woman from Europe]

Well, then, how come Telenor and others while they have searched for handicapped employees can’t find any although everything there in Oslo and surrounded areas could be workable as for their business say no? Is the question not willing to take edu or on the other hand not to adapt while all the opportunities at Telenor is pffed at in Oslo?:zzz: You could have been their CEO by now women.


I have been at Telenor together with the 17 others from the FIA project last year. They did not want any of us. They want only young people without children and full time workers. I am not young, I have children and I only want to work 50%. Nobody at that project got a job and we were working on it 40 weeks. Funny thing, now they are trying to explain the reason to the politicans. I have told you before what they said about me ;) LOL, I don't know if I should laugh or be angry so I prefer to laugh.

[Leif]

I have been at Telenor together with the 17 others from the FIA project last year. They did not want any of us. They want only young people without children and full time workers. I am not young, I have children and I only want to work 50%. Nobody at that project got a job and we were working on it 40 weeks. Funny thing, now they are trying to explain the reason to the politicans. I have told you before what they said about me ;) LOL, I don't know if I should laugh or be angry so I prefer to laugh.
Bite my finger, damn. But sincerely, if you think about it, I think you could have been a good CEO, I sincerely mean it, and then how would you have done it if so? What would the edu and trainee programs have been? How would you have changed the errors you highlight? What would you have done different, if so? (this in a edu forum?)

[alhavel]

It's starting to sound like we've started a forum,,,,,,,,,, Disabilitiy is in the eye of the beholder.

[Leif]

What is a SCI disability? This day I welded a complete front of a super tankers bridge, not tired at all, not at all.

[darkeyed_daisy]

I applied for a job at our local social security office in 1997. I was told I had the job that I just had to go through an interview for the sake of an interview because the position had to be filled by someone disabled. Guess what???? I didnt get the job!!!! You know why???? Because I answered on one of the questions that I liked to complete projects as quickly and as efficiently as possible while following policies and procedures. I also stated that unfinished projects on my desk bothered me. I listed one of my strengths as Perseverance and ability to work independently.

I was told by the close friend/mentor(that got me the interview) that the unfinished projects comment was what lost me the job. The director of the social security office kind of laughed and said that "nothing gets finished" here and that might end up causing me undue stress.

I couldnt prove anything but my interview at the SS office was on a saturday and I signed up for direct deposit with my bank account and the whole nine yards....as well as my tax paperwork that day. Normally if you dont have a job they dont fill out tax paperwork. I was called on Monday and told that funding for the position had been cut.....

Now why would the government not want things done quickly and efficiently???? Hmmmmm

[woman from Europe]

Leif, I can't explain that in English.

But I am looking foreward to the day the Parliament is putting us in the discrimination law. As long as we don't have any rights and it is allowed to discriminate the disable people, we can't do anything.

And I will be close to retirement the day they are expecting the buildings and transport to be accessible in 2019.

And in a way it is funny that I am the one who is screeming for accessibility in Oslo, I feel like I am knocking my head in the wall, I should have used all that energy for your stem cells instead. But the lack of accessibility is making me more angry because I feel it is stopping me living my life the way I want.

[alhavel]

Leif,

You weld? I built 4 steel boats and 30-40 wooden boats. I used to do fitting and machine work. Built alot of Commercial fishing gear too. My father and I have a Lobster boat he built when I was 6 years old in the driveway, it was a great jungle gym, all 45 feet of it. He's waiting for me to take it over. repowered 4 times, the last time was after my accident. He has so much faith in me. If I don't succeed, he is libal to cut me off !!!! The last thing I need is for him to see me laying down, when the ambulance passed the fish wholsaler, he was there watching the ambulance go by, he never knew I was in it, or how bad it was, until a few hours later.

Still weld, and mechanical work here, all day, today. Nice to know I'm not alone.

[alhavel]

Daisy,
SS Office? Now that's why I only deal with them over the phone. Do you know their automated telephone attendant can't understand cursing? I do, somethings just weren't meant to be. Efficiancy in a gov't job is not a good thing, I have a brother and sister inlaw affiliated with the defense industry.

[Leif]

Leif, I can't explain that in English.

But I am looking foreward to the day the Parliament is putting us in the discrimination law. As long as we don't have any rights and it is allowed to discriminate the disable people, we can't do anything.
I’m not saying you oppose, but I think it is not fair to say we or some don’t have any rights. The National handicap organisation maybe say so (if not they would be without a job themselves), they have chimed that bell for so long, ding dong.

[Leif]

Leif,

You weld? I built 4 steel boats and 30-40 wooden boats. I used to do fitting and machine work. Built alot of Commercial fishing gear too. My father and I have a Lobster boat he built when I was 6 years old in the driveway, it was a great jungle gym, all 45 feet of it. He's waiting for me to take it over. repowered 4 times, the last time was after my accident. He has so much faith in me. If I don't succeed, he is libal to cut me off !!!! The last thing I need is for him to see me laying down, when the ambulance passed the fish wholsaler, he was there watching the ambulance go by, he never knew I was in it, or how bad it was, until a few hours later.

Still weld, and mechanical work here, all day, today. Nice to know I'm not alone.
Al’ that is some welding and building, man. I have don a few of those fillet welds etc. in my life, other things too, always been into mechanics, still, this was not supposed to be a discuss we can do, moreover for others if they want to do, younger SCI’d especially I feel. Like I said, I’m doomed and more or less gone, meaning I will not be a part in this other to chime in every now and then. But will never give up thoug for a good discuss when it comes to some stuff to be made lol :D

[woman from Europe]

I’m not saying you oppose, but I think it is not fair to say we or some don’t have any rights. The National handicap organisation maybe say so (if not they would be without a job themselves), they have chimed that bell for so long, ding dong.


4 of the persons on the project from last year tried to work there. NHF found something wrong with all of them. And the other thing is that most of the people working there are AB's and it is not very accessible in their office either. It is one blind woman and three in wheel chairs and the rest is AB. They have a HC bathroom though and a lift but not any parking places. And I can't discuss this anymore because I am getting so angry, I am not going to sleep tonight.

[Leif]

WFE. Blind ppl dont have to be blind SCI ppl.

[Van Quad]

Here in Vancouver the labour shortage is so great, there is a big push on to hire the disabled worker. I've never seen the job market so accommodating.

[crabbyshark]

this is a great idea. i've tried to use the search function to look things like this up and i dont find it very helpful. maybe there can be a part bout going to college too. thatd be awesome.

[bob clark]

Would CC Members Benefit from a Employment/SSI/SSDI Board?

Since "we're" using colors to make our posts stand out from the others how does red look? But I'll forego the cute preamble of an old worn out, supposedly funny story.

Would CC Members also benefit from more spam initiated by a shameless RebbecaHalsberry too?

I wouldn't buy anything from anyone who's so desperate and dishonest to hawk her wares that she takes advantage of a serious forum for Spinal Cord Injured people and breaks the rules in order to blatantly steal advertising space. We know where to buy the shit you offer on the Internet. Shove it Becky.

Bob.

[Hunker]

I have a friend who is SCI just as long as me and never worked. He lived with his Mom and used they system. It has worked out ok for both of us he can find all the fishing hole, get the weed, beer etc and I have partied over 20+ with him and it has worked well. Either way I believe in staying busy and active. My work is a joke they break so many ADA laws and discrimination laws it is unreal. I believe the ADA has no backbone and new business look at me as a medical expense. Is it true that the longer I work the more I recieve in diability?

[McDuff]

Hunker,

Your SSDI amount is based on your last 10 Quarters of earning if I remember correctly. So assuming you are getting wage increases in your years of work, yes you will receive more by working longer. There is a max, but not sure what it is.

[metronycguy]

the max in ssdi is around $2025 a month. you can call up ssa office and find out what your benefit would be if you stopped working due to disability. the amount you receive is proportional to the amount of fica taxes paid in. if your income remains relatively steady , i don't think you would get more out. the people that pay the max FICA tax are the ones that get the max SSDI payments. The max FICA withholdings are around the $80K salary range now.

[Hunker]

Well I have not had a pay raise in five years and I pay my taxes but I had to drop my insurace due to the fact it is $226.26 per week for family under Blue Cross Blue Shield. I had to put the kids on Peach care but my wife and I have none. So far over the last year I have come out to the better by paying for my prescip, condoms, bag, and one UTI out of my own pocket. I had a pain in my ass but once I took an old insurance card out of my wallet the pain went away? :thinking: I'm at the point that I wonder if working is worth it. I hate thinking like that because I have worked all my life (except for 2/1/2 moth of SCI) and I went back to work then moved along up the ladder . Got into the HUD scandal in the 90's but being in AR / AP I was the last to go working under the Trustee of the good ol USA. Two weeks I looked for work but no job. I called my old job and they said they could start me back at "minimum wage" I told them I would call back in 26 week after my serverance pay ran out.....(what a bunch of hustlers.)They called in two weeks whule I was sun tanning and drink a beer and said they could start me back where I left off. He I am many years later.

[metronycguy]

you should call up ssa and find out what your ssdi monthly payment will be, since you also go on medicare after 2 years on ssdi , that is also a factor to consider.
you are still allowed to make up to 900n a month without loss of benefits, as long as you aren't working full time.

[Hunker]

you should call up ssa and find out what your ssdi monthly payment will be, since you also go on medicare after 2 years on ssdi , that is also a factor to consider.
you are still allowed to make up to 900n a month without loss of benefits, as long as you aren't working full time.

Wow, you would think the gov would make it easier than making me wait 6 month on SSDI and 2 years on medicare? I feel like a

[hoff_10]

Splendid jenlogdon, SSI/SSDI etc. should be included of course, very important, just wrote it a bit different, good job by highlighting such important programs (in fact, maybe such a edu/work forum also should include those abbreviations in the heading of such a forum?). Good items, this could in fact help adm and mods to do their streamlining of such a forum. Great ideas, I punch out here now cause you had much better ideas, next, as you say? :) Good thinking.

In addition to the whole SSI/SSDI issues info about Work Incentive Programs (ie. PASS Plans) and maintaining Medicaid while working should be included as well.

[metronycguy]

In addition to the whole SSI/SSDI issues info about Work Incentive Programs (ie. PASS Plans) and maintaining Medicaid while working should be included as well. that why i think financial should also be a part of the forum, someone i knew just bought a condo in las vegas for an investment. when i found out i told them it sounded fishy, went home and googled las Vegas real estate, saw that it had tanked. this person does not have that kind of money to lose. As my other friend said , people like that will always be without money cause they don't do their research .

[crabbyshark]

so is anything going to happen with this?

[Leif]

In addition to the whole SSI/SSDI issues info about Work Incentive Programs (ie. PASS Plans) and maintaining Medicaid while working should be included as well.
Agree, good point, that’s important stuff. We also have similar programs over here and more efforts by the gov are expected to focus on that to have more ppl who wants into the workforce.

[Leif]

4 of the persons on the project from last year tried to work there. NHF found something wrong with all of them. And the other thing is that most of the people working there are AB's and it is not very accessible in their office either. It is one blind woman and three in wheel chairs and the rest is AB. They have a HC bathroom though and a lift but not any parking places. And I can't discuss this anymore because I am getting so angry, I am not going to sleep tonight.
You are free to write about it in the SCI magazine, which by the way is distributed to politicians as well :D

[rdf]

I think such a forum would be a great idea.

[Van Quad]

Here in Vancouver, the new federal privacy laws prohibit counsellors from visiting a new spine injured person unless they are asked for by the patient. So people are falling through the cracks. Especially with a cure supposedly around the corner, kids are just denying the need for help. Hospital staff can only make them aware of programmes, the rest is up to the patient.

[cass]

well, this is interesting since "global partnering" is the proposed wave of the future and a big deal at my company. i'll run this past a co-worker who ran many businesses in asia.

are we gonna get a work forum, wise, mods? :o

[crabbyshark]

Is this going to happen?

[Hunker]

I work every day, no benifits. I work for people who use me for proffit . Sux's.

[kathen2005]

I think I'll stick to self-employment, and droping the knife off the counter, into my very soft boned feet, I couldn't drink milk as a child, maybe it did alot to save me, as none of my neck, or back completly broke, or caused splinters into my spine, despite having a building fall on top of me