Disabled - help me think of a career?

[Ruger22C]

I went through Voc Rehab, and they weren't able to find something I can do with my disabilities. My hope is that with the large number of people here, someone can come up with something.

First, being an employee is not likely a possibility; I have weak joints and hypersensitive nerves. I get injured by things that wouldn't even affect other people, and take months in PT to get better. An employer would fire me the first time that happened.

I've pursued 4 jobs so far: Dominos, PC Repair, Programming (web dev / PHP&MySQL), and video production assistant.
I also compiled a book, which got 0 sales.

I qualify for FAFSA and can get up to a bachelors degree, but not a masters/doctorate

(A masters/doctorate requires a loan. I refuse to take a loan. I could hurt myself after school and be unable to work; then, I can't pay the loan. Also, not sure if it's true - I heard that taking a loan means I lose my health insurance (Medicare/Medicaid.))



I currently have one career in mind that has a decent chance of working (Photography), IF my mother is able to support me by giving me the equipment I need; and that's looking less likely. I'm on SSI, and can't afford that equipment / can't have more than $2k in assets, so I even if I could get the money, I couldn't save enough at a time to buy what I need. (like a reliable car, to get to location)


--------------------------

My wrists to elbows are most screwed up. Unknown cause of wrist pain, double crush, and lateral epicondylitis. (limits typing, use of hands in general: especially repetition and squeezing.)
Concerning my hands: I can do just about anything, but for how long varies; and it can take a few days to recover.

I also have TMJD and hyperacousis. Neither are too bad, but they preclude translation/interpreting or working in particularly loud areas. (Can't wear ear plugs for long, because of TMJD)

Scoliosis - no being an OTR driver.



Probably unrelated:

Vasovagal response - also not significant, but working in 100f heat isn't an option.

Asthma/rhinitis - no working around smoke (the guy I was working with doing videos, shot at an indoor BBQ.. and I'm allergic to the albulterol inhaler(!))

Chronic prostatitis

 

[maddogchen]

Get Dragon Naturally Speaking to help type for you.

I'm not sure why you think of photography?

 

[Ruger22C]

Get Dragon Naturally Speaking to help type for you.

I'm not sure why you think of photography?

Photography won't hurt my hands much, except for editing - and careful composition will limit that. It's also relatively low-exertion, so it shouldn't have much impact on my other joints.

Use dragon to type.. for what job? Remember TMJD, if it's constant speaking.

 

[FleshLight]

Nearly all forms of career photography require you to be physically agile.

 

[brainhulk]

Setup a webcam for your toilet. Every time you strain to poo, you will pass out from vasovagal response. Booom - hits up the ass

It will be like the fainting goats phenomenon
https://youtu.be/we9_CdNPuJg

Seriously, WHAT were you thinking? Enjoy your vacation.

Perknose
Forum Director

 

[nsafreak]

I suppose if you were doing nothing but studio photography that might be an option, but most event photographers are constantly moving around with their camera and at least some gear in tow. Granted the good ones will know which lenses they need and keep it to one or two lenses with one or two other accessories but event photography is most definitely not an easy going profession.

 

[SamQuint]

Yes photography is very physical. The equipment is heavy, lots of squatting and climbing ladders, and you will need to run around a lot. Unless you do portrait photography only in a studio it most likely will be too strenuous for you.

Maybe some sort of phone support job?

 

[Ruger22C]

Actually, I didn't plan to do events; I tried to help at an outdoor wedding once and the amount of cologne/perfume was unbelievable... even in moderate wind. I know shooting portraits / groups wouldn't net me a huge income, but it would help support me.

As for being moderately strenuous - that's a good thing. It'll help me get stronger in general, and being self-employed, I can take a break when I need to.

I have a decent knowledge of marketing/etc, so I might be able to create training videos and get some ad revenue.


In any case, I made this post in case photography doesn't work; so, other ideas?

Re: Phone support - again, TJMD?

 

[CraKaJaX]

mannequin

The OP has a real life dilemma and is asking for help. Such a "joke" is not really appropriate.

Perknose
Forum Director

 

[Homerboy]

That's a nice computer in your signature line.

 

[IronWing]

Read the "What Do You Think" articles in the Onion and pick a few career options.

 

[Humpy]

Do whatever it is that Stephen Hawking does. :|

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

So, the DVR couldn't help? Did they suggest any other resources? Disabilityresources.org? We're talking about your life here. Talking to a bunch of idiots on ATOT isn't your best option.

 

[Ruger22C]

So, the DVR couldn't help? Did they suggest any other resources? Disabilityresources.org? We're talking about your life here. Talking to a bunch of idiots on ATOT isn't your best option.

They didn't give me suggestions.. the person at voc rehab was an idiot, she acted like a psychologist asking me about my home life, instead of helping me get work.

Thanks for the link.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

They didn't give me suggestions.. the person at voc rehab was an idiot, she acted like a psychologist asking me about my home life, instead of helping me get work.

Thanks for the link.

Ok, listen up. I've been through the DVR. You have to take responsibility for your own health care just like when you deal with doctors. Keep a notebook and write down all your questions. Take notes on their answers. They are resources. Make use of them and don't allow them to brush you off. It's their damn job.

 

[Ruger22C]

Ok, listen up. I've been through the DVR. You have to take responsibility for your own health care just like when you deal with doctors. Keep a notebook and write down all your questions. Take notes on their answers. They are resources. Make use of them and don't allow them to brush you off.

You're right.

 

[OverVolt]

What types of allergies do you have man?

All your health problems seem to indicate you have ridiculously off the charts levels of chronic inflammation.

Are you constantly eating something that you are allergic to?

Figure out how to be at your healthiest first, IMO.

There has to be SOMETHING you can do. Calcium, whatever exercise you can tolerate, diet, something.

My energy level goes to 1/10 when I eat tomatoes because my body is so busy making antibodies to break down the tomato. My blood pressure goes up but my energy plummets. The inflammation causes my everything to hurt. I just don't eat tomatoes. I used to be a kind of sickly kid and my parents always used to make a lot of pizza and pasta and once I figured out tomatoes make me sick over about a year I turned into a normal person. I feel pretty amazing now.

I think you'd be surprised how some of these things, like hyperacousis, have to do with the sound levels that you adapt to. I know the symptoms are real its just... I think you have more of a capacity to adapt than you realize. I used to have tinnitus and back pain for example.

 

[Ruger22C]

What types of allergies to you have man?

All your health problems seem to indicate you have ridiculously off the charts levels of chronic inflammation.

Are you constantly eating something that you are allergic to?

Figure out how to be at your healthiest first, IMO.

There has to be SOMETHING you can do. Calcium, whatever exercise you can tolerate, diet, something.

Allergic to penicillin, cephalexin, and proair (unsure if propellant or albuterol). Have a non-allergic, but serious side effect to quinolone.
My doctor took 4 vials of blood and tested me for RA and who knows what else.. all came back normal. I think I might have a reaction to some foods, because I often get palpitations after eating; but it's so hard to figure out what's causing it.

Also, I've been in OT/PT for about 13 years. I'm thin, I eat very healthy, and I used to bicycle a lot.. Not biking now, hurt my knees / also have taylors bunions I need removed.

 

[BurnItDwn]

The Glass Man from Amalie was an artist. Not sure if your hands would hold up to it, but maybe try painting? If you are able to paint good looking pictures, or interesting things, your back story might help shine a little bit of spotlight on you, maybe enough to actually get you a viable number of sales. In any case, I do hope you find something that works for you, good luck!

 

[OverVolt]

Allergic to penicillin, cephalexin, and proair (unsure if propellant or albuterol). Have a non-allergic, but serious side effect to Also, I've been in OT/PT for about 13 years. I'm thin, I eat very healthy, and I used to bicycle a lot.
My doctor took 4 vials of blood and tested me for RA and who knows what else.. all came back normal. I think I might have a reaction to some foods, because I often get palpitations after eating; but it's so hard to figure out what's causing it.

Also, I've been in OT/PT for about 13 years. I'm thin, I eat very healthy, and I used to bicycle a lot.. Not biking now, hurt my knees / also have taylors bunions I need removed.

Yea me too, used to be really thin. I was like 125lbs and 5'10". Now I'm 160-170. Also used to be fanatical about eating healthy I guess because so many foods used to make me sick.

 

[shortylickens]

I'm able-bodied and nobody wants to hire me.

Of course, you're probably a nicer human being than I.

GOOD LUCK SIR!!

 

[brainhulk]

I'm able-bodied and nobody wants to hire me.

Of course, you're probably a nicer human being than I.

GOOD LUCK SIR!!

Have you tried out to be a character at Disney World?

 

[IronWing]

Have you tried out to be a character at Disney World?

Grumpy?

 

[Imp]

Do you speak English?

Do you have an American accent?

Are you extremely unattractive and only a mother could look you in the eye for more than 1 second?

If you answered in the affirmative to the first two, then think about starting an online English tutoring/teaching class. Start-up/investment cost shouldn't be too great.

I thought about doing this then backed off. However, in the few weeks of half-assed "just putting myself out there", I had two potential clients with nothing but a single Craigslist post -- one on another continent. Unfortunately, I didn't have access to a quiet/private location to do anything via webcam and had to pass. The other didn't work out and I wasn't that interested. Some more dedicated advertising, pursuing of clients, and word of mouth referrals could make for a reasonable business.

 

[Ruger22C]

Do you speak English?

Do you have an American accent?

Are you extremely unattractive and only a mother could look you in the eye for more than 1 second?

If you answered in the affirmative to the first two, then think about starting an online English tutoring/teaching class. Start-up/investment cost shouldn't be too great.

I thought about doing this then backed off. However, in the few weeks of half-assed "just putting myself out there", I had two potential clients with nothing but a single Craigslist post -- one on another continent. Unfortunately, I didn't have access to a quiet/private location to do anything via webcam and had to pass. The other didn't work out and I wasn't that interested. Some more dedicated advertising, pursuing of clients, and word of mouth referrals could make for a reasonable business.

That's quite interesting. I do well with languages; maybe that would work.