what do you do for a living?

[marielea]

i know there may be other posts on this, but i couldn't find what i was looking for!
before my accident i worked at gateway computers. a desk job selling computers to large businesses. or atleast trying...lol.
i also raised horses and did some rodeo.
AND i raised dobermans. i have 22 adults right now.

since my accident i quit the gateway job, and am kind of getting out of the horses. i do plan to keep a couple and i also plan to get barrel racing again. i don't know of anyone who is competitive who is in a wheelchair. i plan to be the first 'biggie'. i also have kept my dogs. they are my life now. they are something that i can completely do by myself, something from my 'old life'. i cherish the fact that i can still be successful in that department and do it on my own.

i'm just wondering what you guys do? i'll try to post a couple of pics of my pooches, i'm so proud of them!!

[Raven]

Great pics, Marielea. The last one was so, so cute. Loved it. Nick and I have been talking dogs recently but we don't agree with which. He likes Greyhounds and I love Toy Collies, or Collies like Lassie. I think that collies are better because of Isis being here and always trying to play with the previous dogs we have had. Maybe we will come to some agreement later on.

I don't work anymore. I have worked as a tax preparer at my last job. Before that I did work as an Avon Rep but decided it was too much hassle. I prefer working in an office. My job before Avon was as a Medical Records Technician at a Drug Abuse Clinic. Loved doing that kind of work but sores and anxiety attacks kept me from continuing on with it. I wanted to also see my baby grow up instead and became a whatever they want to call it now(I call it - MOMMY). ;) Plus now being a grama.


Raven

[marielea]

the last picture was when i was still in the hospital from my accident. my baby, maui, was brought to see me once a week. i sure looked foreward to her visits. i raised her, and actually had to pull her when she was born. she has spent every day of her life with me. she was the last thing i saw when i went to bed, and the first thing i saw in the morning. i love my girl.

[cvelusc]

I've enjoyed the pictures that you've posted very much so far. They give a nice perspective on your life and your passions. From the horse to dog pictures, they've been a pleasant breath of fresh air.

--Christopher

[WheelieMike]

You use dogs to herd sheep, what do you use to herd dogs? I haven't seen that many together in a long time.
Well, as far as your question, I do data entry for a small grocery line (8 stores). Price changes, ads, some payroll, etc. Anything as long as I can sit on my a$$.

[wheeliecoach]

I am a computer programmer for a company that does benefits administration (like 401k plans...pension plans, and health plans). I rather be doing something involving sports...but this at least pays the bills.

[darrel]

beutifull looking dogs, hate to see the feed bill, I have one dog and he eats better than me most of the time. but he is spoiled rotten.
in light of your question, I used to work at a mfg. co. building farm implements for John Deere. loved the work , it paid good and the coworkers were alright, I miss it. and the money.

[RehabRhino]

Hi Marielea

I've moved this to the Work, School and Money forum. Hope you don't mind.

There is a similar thread here:

http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/showthread.php?t=72922

RR

[lynnifer]

Police and fire dispatcher.

Before that I worked at front desk reception and switchboard for one of the local hospitals.

[Them Bones]

I go to Worcester Polytechnic Institute full time for aerospace engineering.

During breaks and all summer I am an engineering technician (I got lucky and landed a paid internship) at a fused-fiber optics manufacturing company called Incom. Incidentally part of what we do is make microwell arrays which Dr. Young probably uses in his work...

During the school year I live off of the GI Bill benefits.

[vickylynn]

i am selfemployed i am an agent for the 4th largesest trucking co. in usa.
i have been doing it for 24 yrs.

hey lea dogs look great you should post a pic of you riding

[TMAZ]

Software developer

[woman from Europe]

I don't work. I would like to but it is nearly impossible to get a job here if you are disable. Nobody wants to employ a disable person and most of the jobs are not accessible or have a HC bathroom. My last job was in the ER, but they told me that my chair took too much place so they did not want me to work there anymore. My chair is a 14x18 so it is not any bigger than a office chair.

[FasterNow]

I was a lab technician in a urethane chemicals group. Now I'm a customer care rep at the same company.

[addiesue]

I don't work. I would like to but it is nearly impossible to get a job here if you are disable. Nobody wants to employ a disable person and most of the jobs are not accessible or have a HC bathroom. My last job was in the ER, but they told me that my chair took too much place so they did not want me to work there anymore. My chair is a 14x18 so it is not any bigger than a office chair.

Heard the same thing in an ER here. I might get in the way in an emergency. :thinking: I used to be an EMT so wanted to do registration in the ER to get some of that emergency rush back. Oh well.
Now I'm doing social work.

[sjean423]

Now I'm doing social work.

You've moved on from walmart! Congrats, even if it isn;t exactly what you wanted.

[addiesue]

Yes!! I finally FINALLY found something decent. It's a great place and they are so flexible with my hours. I have an office in a new building that's all accessible. I've been there barely a month. So far I really like it.

Oh for now I still work at Walmart but only 2 days a week. I'm trying to keep that 10% discount until Christmas shopping is done. Then I am out of there.

[lynnifer]

Congrats addiesue! (I was told the same when I worked at the hospital and applied to work in emerge too).

[addiesue]

It's funny that occasionally a nurse will pull up a chair to start an IV.
Also that my chair is smaller than some of those girls. That sounds mean but I'm just saying I'm a scrawny little thing.

[november]

Now I'm doing social work.
Cool you got out of Walmart if that's what you wanted.
What will you be doing at your new job?

[addiesue]

Shoot yes, Walmart is not a tremendously good company to work for. I was just there to be somewhere until I found the right place for me. I'm a social service coordinator for an independent living apartment complex. Basically I find programs and funding for what people here need. My main goal is keeping the elderly out of the nursing home and independent. The company will help me pay to get my Masters Degree after I have been here a year. Everyone here has been really great after they got over the shock that I am so young and in a chair. And that I actually drive. There is a double amputee here who always tells me how lucky I am that times have changed for wheelers. He has been that way 50 years. It has been very enlightening on both sides I believe.

[RSieck]

Work for a commercial plumbing/pipefitting contractor in the office. I do AutoCad work and will start estimating for them too. I absolutely hate working in the office. I was always a hands on person. From farming to being a Industrial Pipefitter..this is quite the change for me...

Oh and I'm back in school too for Construction Management. And work is extremely flexible. I can leave whenever I want for about any reason too... :D

[Hunker]

I'm a floater at a telemarketing company. I goof around a lot doing whatever needs done. I really would like to be a wrestler! http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2732430079957459329

[november]

Addiesue
Did you go to school before for social work?

Whenever I go to Walmart I see everyone in the world there.
Sometimes that's good...sometimes bad!

[addiesue]

I started taking classes in social work last summer and just lucked on this job. They let me in knowing I was pursuing a deegree and I convinced tham I coul dget around the "system" from trying to find resources for disability. The one job interview my chair actually helped. I'm taking a few more online now. I'm going to try for Master's next year if I can get some funding.
Yes Walmart is a popular place. There is no way to just run in and get something.

[SPryor]

I was a machinist, then heavy equipment operator, and worked at a lead mine and smelter for ten years, until retiring due to MS in 91'. Since then I buy and sell, mostly custom knives, and guns. Also raised Great Danes for several years.

[canuck]

Part Time Seasonal clerk for the British Columbia Ministry of Forest Protection Program aka fire report nazi. Looking at getting into the DME field though. Since I've sat in a chair for 25 + years I might as well sell the things.

[walkingstrong35]

I have always worked with disabled children and adults even before my injury its my passion. I love the feeling of giving myself to others. I am now a job coach for disabled teens. I am given a student at a job site like a grocery store or a horse farm and I make sure they learn their job and keep them busy and make it a fun learning experience so when they graduate that have the experience of being in a job setting. Some of the students that graduate are actually hired after. There are also students that require a coach due to the severity of their disability but they are mainstreamed into jobs that are appropriate for them. Its a very rewarding and fun job. They are more than a student to me I have met some many unique kids and made some very special bonds that will last forever.

[kenf]

where has Marielea been?

[Rbrauer]

Analyst & JOATMON with PBSG (PepsiCo/Frito-Lay)

[davemeister]

That's the short answer. I recently posted the long answer on my blog when I was noticing how what was once unusual is now commonplace (http://progressivezone.blogspot.com/2007/12/what-was-once-unusual-is-now.html).

[Hunker]

That's the short answer. I recently posted the long answer on my blog when I was noticing how what was once unusual is now commonplace (http://progressivezone.blogspot.com/2007/12/what-was-once-unusual-is-now.html).
Now I'm managing a very successful business unit for an organization. I have led it to rapid growth and through substantial development. Of course, that means I've been very busy so, when the twentieth anniversary of my disability came along last week, I was too busy to remember it. I suppose that's a good thing -- had I not realized the accomplishments I've had in spite of being quadriplegic, I'd probably be sitting around home every weekday watching TV and the milestone would instead have loomed up on me like a big cloud.
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I can relate yet I wake up each day. You must be some thing rght! :) Stay busy as you do.
Matt

[Imight]

I used to be a Training Specialist.

You know about outsourcing? Well, Im the guy that goes overseas to teach them how to use the company computer applications, soft skills, etc etc.

Doubt I will be doing that again, it would be a hassle to travel as much as I did.

Perhaps I will use my Graphic Design degree for once? lol

or if I can move on to crutches full time or even a cane......teach english abroad (maybe south america or china). that was my initial plan right before my accident =(


i was just 2 months away.