At wits end and need ideas!

[SallyMargie]

I completed an expensive course in medical transcription, and have been looking for P/T work, due to health issues. I am having absolutely NO luck whatsoever on the search. I have tweaked my resume to address my health issues, while at the same time, playing up my positive strengths. Things are looking really bleak. The problem is that due to my health, I cannot either stand nor sit for long periods. I would be fine to alternate, but tell that to potential employers!

I have a plan “B” which is freelance writing, which I feel I would be fairly good at doing. I would also like to put together a cookbook to sell for profit. I cannot do daycare since the people who do the licensing were once involved in our son’s court case and our lawyer caught them in open lies about us on the court papers. Thank God we and our lawyer were able to “nail” them on this, but you can see why we wouldn’t want to be working with these people!

I have also considered creating miniatures, but my husband isn’t too keen on the idea, nor on any party plan jobs, sell from home, etc. as he thinks I won’t make any money for the time.

My big fear is that my husband will think (as he has said) that he’ll have to go out and get a second job. He already works too much and I worry about his health. But what can I do to bring in at least a modest amount of money? I get extremely stiff at the computer and it is very painful. I was hopeful this would disappear, but it still happens…

Does anyone have any easy work-at-home ideas I could do besides daycare and anything on the computer? I appreciate any ideas. God bless all of you!

 

[dachsiemom]

I know someone that does medical transcription independently from home. Also know of others who do medical billing as a home based business. Just a thought. Is there something that can be done to address your medical issues to alleviate the dificulties you are having?

 

[flyingfish]

I completed an expensive course in medical transcription, and have been looking for P/T work, due to health issues. I am having absolutely NO luck whatsoever on the search. I have tweaked my resume to address my health issues, while at the same time, playing up my positive strengths. Things are looking really bleak. The problem is that due to my health, I cannot either stand nor sit for long periods. I would be fine to alternate, but tell that to potential employers!

Do you have to tell a potential employer about your health issues? What if you don’t mention it, get hired, and then adjust to your work environment?

 

[SallyMargie]

I know someone that does medical transcription independently from home. Also know of others who do medical billing as a home based business. Just a thought. Is there something that can be done to address your medical issues to alleviate the dificulties you are having?

Great idea–and that had been my initial idea. I thought I could go on the computer occasionally and work that way. However, now with the bad job market, there are very few part-time jobs available even in MT, and nearly all of them require at least 2-3 years experience.
I take meds for the stiffness, which helps a bit, but it also makes me sleepy and less alert. Have also tried heated neck pieces, etc. but just get too stiff for the amount of time it takes to transcribe. Now–if only they would let me work in 15 minute increments or something, that would be great!
Thanks!

 

[SallyMargie]

Do you have to tell a potential employer about your health issues? What if you don’t mention it, get hired, and then adjust to your work environment?

It would be wonderful, except as I mentioned to the previous poster, I would need a very short time to work in and an extremely flexible schedule, which just doesn’t seem to exist in MT work currently. I’m still trying to find that type of schedule, though! Thanks!

 

[1ke]

Do **not **put any reference to your medical disability on your resume and do **not **talk about it in any interviews.

And, know the law and your rights, they **cannot **ask you any questions about disability in your interview.

If you are hired, you are covered under ADA and your employer will need to make accommodations.

Also, if you are qualified and believe you have been passed over for hiring based **solely **on your disability, file a complaint with the EEOC.

 

[flyingfish]

It would be wonderful, except as I mentioned to the previous poster, I would need a very short time to work in and an extremely flexible schedule, which just doesn’t seem to exist in MT work currently. I’m still trying to find that type of schedule, though! Thanks!

You said you could alternate sitting and standing, there are standing computer desks, also if you’re using a laptop you could sit, stand, or lay down with it. Could you do a regular schedule if there was opportunity for you to alternate between sitting and standing? I think telling your employer that you need an unusual schedule pretty much guarantees that they will not hire you. Don’t say that, do what you can to get hired, and then try to adjust. Worst case scenario is you won’t be able to adjust, but that will just put you in the same position you’re in now.

I think if you don’t have luck you should try doing something like making miniatures. So what if your husband doesn’t believe it can work, do your best to prove him wrong !

 

[SallyMargie]

Do **not **put any reference to your medical disability on your resume and do **not **talk about it in any interviews.

And, know the law and your rights, they **cannot **ask you any questions about disability in your interview.

If you are hired, you are covered under ADA and your employer will need to make accommodations.

Also, if you are qualified and believe you have been passed over for hiring based **solely **on your disability, file a complaint with the EEOC.

Thanks for that info!

 

[SallyMargie]

You said you could alternate sitting and standing, there are standing computer desks, also if you’re using a laptop you could sit, stand, or lay down with it. Could you do a regular schedule if there was opportunity for you to alternate between sitting and standing? I think telling your employer that you need an unusual schedule pretty much guarantees that they will not hire you. Don’t say that, do what you can to get hired, and then try to adjust. Worst case scenario is you won’t be able to adjust, but that will just put you in the same position you’re in now.

I think if you don’t have luck you should try doing something like making miniatures. So what if your husband doesn’t believe it can work, do your best to prove him wrong !

Hi: We just bought a computer about one and a half years ago, so really couldn’t afford a laptop with our finances right now, though it is an excellent thought. Also, would be a bit tricky as I need to work the foot pedal.
I’m afraid I still couldn’t do a regular schedule if I could alternate, as even after about 15 minutes, I’m in pain with stiffness. I do get up and move around, exercise, take breaks, etc. but I seem to get spasms which just don’t quit. For example, yesterday I did some job testing online in the morning, and was in major pain all day–even felt it this morning! I fear you’re right in saying that if I said I needed an unusual schedule, I wouldn’t get hired. Really, I’ve tried so many different things, I have a strong “hunch” the Lord is telling me to go a different direction. I’m okay with that, but my DH, I’m afraid, doesn’t realize the severity of my disability. He does to a point, but what bothers (and sorta bugs) me is that I know he’ll play ‘martyr’ and feel he has to get a second job. Personally, I don’t think we’re in that bad of shape financially, but he is a real worry wart about finances.
Guess I’ll just keep trying to find answers.
I really appreciate the responses and now MUST get off this computer. God bless!

 

[flyingfish]

Hi: We just bought a computer about one and a half years ago, so really couldn’t afford a laptop with our finances right now, though it is an excellent thought. Also, would be a bit tricky as I need to work the foot pedal.
I’m afraid I still couldn’t do a regular schedule if I could alternate, as even after about 15 minutes, I’m in pain with stiffness. I do get up and move around, exercise, take breaks, etc. but I seem to get spasms which just don’t quit. For example, yesterday I did some job testing online in the morning, and was in major pain all day–even felt it this morning! I fear you’re right in saying that **if I said I needed an unusual schedule, I wouldn’t get hired. **Really, I’ve tried so many different things, I have a strong “hunch” the Lord is telling me to go a different direction. I’m okay with that, but my DH, I’m afraid, doesn’t realize the severity of my disability. He does to a point, but what bothers (and sorta bugs) me is that I know he’ll play ‘martyr’ and feel he has to get a second job. Personally, I don’t think we’re in that bad of shape financially, but he is a real worry wart about finances.
Guess I’ll just keep trying to find answers.
I really appreciate the responses and now MUST get off this computer. God bless!

Well, I am sorry I said that, I was speaking strongly and I didn’t think that through. There are countless people with disabilities that have jobs that make special accomodations for them, some people whose disabilities are very severe (like blindness).

Don’t give up.

 

[1ke]

Have you applied for Social Security Disability?

 

[SallyMargie]

Well, I am sorry I said that, I was speaking strongly and I didn’t think that through. There are countless people with disabilities that have jobs that make special accomodations for them, some people whose disabilities are very severe (like blindness).

Don’t give up.

Oh–no problem with what you said–you are right!
I’m hanging in there–thanks for the support! God bless.

 

[SallyMargie]

Have you applied for Social Security Disability?

Good question–no, though I have been thinking about it. I guess I’m a little scared to, frankly, since I’ve been out of the working world for 25 years now. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom. Frankly, I’ve heard some horror stories from those applying for it, from others on health forums.

My doctor is sympathetic about my job hunt, but not overly concerned, as he said at least my husband has a good job. I have tried to get a job through rehab services. I talked for a lengthy time to a lady about it, and she seemed very understanding. Then I got a phone call from the “lead” lady(?) who bluntly told me I’m not handicapped enough! I argued a bit and said “well, what are people like me supposed to do for income, then?” and she mellowed a bit and said she would look further into it. However, she called me a few days later and said “no.” I’ve heard many similar stories about rehab jobs, and I’m sure they DO get “taken for a ride” but it’s frustrating for people like me who “look” healthy, but have several medical problems.