work, post-SCI?

dan_nc · 01-14-2006, 10:16 PM

I'm wondering how many people returned to work post-SCI and how long typically before returning to work. I know it's different for quads and paras and also different based on the type of spinal cord injury. Did you go to the same job, or different job? Was it tough to find new employment post-injury?

RehabRhino · 01-15-2006, 04:49 AM

Same job. 7 months after injury

lynnifer · 01-15-2006, 05:42 AM

It was many years ago but I was put back in grade school (8) a week after I returned home from a 3-month hospital stay. I started half-days the first week, then full time.

I often regret that I didn't take a year off - but then my friends would have been ahead of me in high school.

MikeC · 01-15-2006, 09:28 AM

Dan - same job - about 5 months post. Started back working half-days. Mike

dan_nc · 01-15-2006, 09:40 AM

I'm 3 month and two days post-injury at this point. My employers are asking when I think I'll be ready to start returning to work. I'm not sure I'm ready to go back to work (BM accidents terrify me) and how that'd work into my PT 4x/week schedule. I haven't had a chance to discuss with my doctor or vocational rehab in detail yet, but wanted to get a feeling for when most people with serious SCI would start thinking about work.

Also, for those that found new jobs, was it tough finding employers that were accomodating?

carbar · 01-15-2006, 10:08 AM

I had recently moved country and was 3 days short of starting a new job when the accident happened. Needless to say, the company was very sympathetic but couldn't hold the job for me indefinitely. I was a year in hospital/rehab and then another year of various surgeries - when all that was finished I couldn't think about working again, and I haven't yet. I miss work and work colleagues but I put in a lot of years overall so I don't feel too bad about missing the 9-5 routine. I think about starting something from home instead.

Afraid · 01-15-2006, 11:11 AM

i went to work fulltime after finishing school
do your bowel routine at night so in case you have an extra movement you are home
if your employers are asking youback it seems they ae ready to have you
can you do your pt in the eveining

Andy · 01-15-2006, 05:57 PM

Same job, one year post. I figure I could have gone back a few months before then, but then again, I didnt really feel all that strong/good/normal/etc a year post either, so I milked the disablity policy for all it was worth.

vsu · 01-15-2006, 06:40 PM

I would advise taking your time-- the job market is pretty strong and getting better. For me, I returned part time after about 10 months, then full time after 2 years. The first year, I was busy dealing with pain, emotional issues, and was simply not ready to give up on rehab and tracking potential cures.

View Poll Results: how long before going to work, post-SCI?
Less than 6 mo.	5	13.16%
6 mo to 1 yr.	9	23.68%
More than 1 yr.	9	23.68%
I did not seek employment post-SCI	15	39.47%
Voters: 38. You may not vote on this poll

01-14-2006, 10:16 PM	#1
dan_nc Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4,699	work, post-SCI? I'm wondering how many people returned to work post-SCI and how long typically before returning to work. I know it's different for quads and paras and also different based on the type of spinal cord injury. Did you go to the same job, or different job? Was it tough to find new employment post-injury? __________________ Daniel

01-15-2006, 04:49 AM	#2
RehabRhino Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: UK Posts: 6,544	Same job. 7 months after injury __________________ C5/6 incomplete *"I assume you all have guns and crack....."*

01-15-2006, 05:42 AM	#3
lynnifer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Windsor ON Canada Posts: 15,441	It was many years ago but I was put back in grade school (8) a week after I returned home from a 3-month hospital stay. I started half-days the first week, then full time. I often regret that I didn't take a year off - but then my friends would have been ahead of me in high school. __________________ I think over again my small adventures, My fears, Those small ones that seemed so big, For all the vital things I had to get and to reach; And yet there is only one great thing, The only thing, To live to see the great day that dawns And the light that fills the world. Anonymous (Inuit, 19th century) T-11 Flaccid Paraplegic due to TM July 1985 @ age 12

01-15-2006, 09:28 AM	#4
MikeC Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,192	Dan - same job - about 5 months post. Started back working half-days. Mike __________________ T12 Incomplete - Walking with Crutches, Injured in Oct 2003

01-15-2006, 09:40 AM	#5
dan_nc Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4,699	I'm 3 month and two days post-injury at this point. My employers are asking when I think I'll be ready to start returning to work. I'm not sure I'm ready to go back to work (BM accidents terrify me) and how that'd work into my PT 4x/week schedule. I haven't had a chance to discuss with my doctor or vocational rehab in detail yet, but wanted to get a feeling for when most people with serious SCI would start thinking about work. Also, for those that found new jobs, was it tough finding employers that were accomodating? __________________ Daniel

01-15-2006, 10:08 AM	#6
carbar Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: France Posts: 2,438	I had recently moved country and was 3 days short of starting a new job when the accident happened. Needless to say, the company was very sympathetic but couldn't hold the job for me indefinitely. I was a year in hospital/rehab and then another year of various surgeries - when all that was finished I couldn't think about working again, and I haven't yet. I miss work and work colleagues but I put in a lot of years overall so I don't feel too bad about missing the 9-5 routine. I think about starting something from home instead.

01-15-2006, 11:11 AM	#7
Afraid Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NEeast Posts: 71	i went to work fulltime after finishing school do your bowel routine at night so in case you have an extra movement you are home if your employers are asking youback it seems they ae ready to have you can you do your pt in the eveining

01-15-2006, 05:57 PM	#8
Andy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 4,725	Same job, one year post. I figure I could have gone back a few months before then, but then again, I didnt really feel all that strong/good/normal/etc a year post either, so I milked the disablity policy for all it was worth.

01-15-2006, 06:40 PM	#9
vsu Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 120	I would advise taking your time-- the job market is pretty strong and getting better. For me, I returned part time after about 10 months, then full time after 2 years. The first year, I was busy dealing with pain, emotional issues, and was simply not ready to give up on rehab and tracking potential cures.

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