Sup Everybody?
ENTER TO WIN MY REALLY AWESOMELY DESIGNED T-SHIRT HERE!!!!
I just finished cleaning the guinea pigs cages (they say hi btw), figured I'd get a quick blog post in before bed. I just checked my comment section and saw that someone asked me about my opinion on filing for disability. I've never filed for disability, but I probs will if I ever need to have major surgery again (btw, thanks Aflac for not covering pre-existing conditions... go duck yourselves).
Filing for disability is not something to be taken lightly. You don't get a whole lot of money and if you have health insurance you could lose benefits. I see filing for disability as an absolute last resort. My advice to anyone with a disability is to (as unfortunate as this sounds) plan your career around your disability. I have chronic pain and fatigue, thus I chose a career that involves sitting at a desk all day. Have social anxiety? Plan something that doesn't involve a whole lot of social interaction. Naturally you should pick something that you love to do but you really have to take your disability into consideration. I know this sounds really harsh but we have to be realistic. We also have to do our best to keep our symptoms at bay. I regularly see my pain management doctor to keep my pain levels at a tolerable amount. Of course everyone's situation is different. If you are really, really sick and cannot make enough money to support by all means file away. To summarize on the original question on whether or not it is a "good idea" to file for disability or not, if you have exhausted all other options, if you cannot function even when you are being properly treated, then filing would not be a bad idea.
Crippie's Tippie- If your disability doesn't always render you useless, I suggest seeing if your state has services that help cripples get employment. They can help you find some form of work that can be more accommodating to your needs. Crippie used this place to help her find employment.
Showing posts with label jobs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jobs. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Working With A Disability: Day 1
Ohai Everyone!
My first day on the job was today, boy howdy am I tired. Work itself went perfectly fine, once I figure everything out there I be quite good at it. Now the main issue will always be "how will my disability effect my work". From what I can tell so far my main problems will be...
1) Chronic Fatigue- I get really tired really easily, I didn't physically do a whole lot today but I am exhausted nonetheless. I'm gonna try noshing on "smarties" throughout the day tomorrow. Maybe that'll help.
2) Issues standing- Part of my job requires me to use a copy machine for 5-10 minutes at a time. While that seems like nothing it was painful to stand there for that short time. Not painful enough to make me not do that job, but still painful.
3) Lack of Handicap Accessibility- Apparently the designers of the building a work at didn't believe in elevators, and the only ramp outside has been chained off for months (I didn't know that was even legal). Again, I'll manage without elevators and ramps, it's just kinda a bummer that they didn't think to make 'em.
So I guess the general answer to that question is "having a disability makes it harder to work, but its something you kinda have to deal with". Massive plus about being a cripple, I get the handicap parking space! That's right... the n00b has the best spot in the office!
Crippie's Tippie- Make buildings with ramps and elevators, it's nice to be able to let cripples in buildings.
My first day on the job was today, boy howdy am I tired. Work itself went perfectly fine, once I figure everything out there I be quite good at it. Now the main issue will always be "how will my disability effect my work". From what I can tell so far my main problems will be...
1) Chronic Fatigue- I get really tired really easily, I didn't physically do a whole lot today but I am exhausted nonetheless. I'm gonna try noshing on "smarties" throughout the day tomorrow. Maybe that'll help.
2) Issues standing- Part of my job requires me to use a copy machine for 5-10 minutes at a time. While that seems like nothing it was painful to stand there for that short time. Not painful enough to make me not do that job, but still painful.
3) Lack of Handicap Accessibility- Apparently the designers of the building a work at didn't believe in elevators, and the only ramp outside has been chained off for months (I didn't know that was even legal). Again, I'll manage without elevators and ramps, it's just kinda a bummer that they didn't think to make 'em.
So I guess the general answer to that question is "having a disability makes it harder to work, but its something you kinda have to deal with". Massive plus about being a cripple, I get the handicap parking space! That's right... the n00b has the best spot in the office!
Crippie's Tippie- Make buildings with ramps and elevators, it's nice to be able to let cripples in buildings.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
CRIPPIE GOT A JOBBIE
Hello!
First off, sorry for the lack of post this week. We just got our power and internet back. This past week has certainly been a challenge but we managed to keep everyone fairly sane and none of our pets died, which is a huge bonus.
Moving on to the title, CRIPPIE'S GREAT JOB HUNT HAS COME TO AN END!!! I saw a job posting a few months back that fit my requirements of
1- Being within a safe driving distance, bonus points if I can avoid a highway
2- Something that is willing to accept recent college grads
3- Something I can physically do
Naturally I applied to the position, a few months passed without hearing a peep from them so I continued on with my search. Last week, right before Irene was gonna hit this place gave a me a call and asked if I could come over for an interview. 24 hours before Irene hit I went to said interview. First off, the place is about a 20 minute drive from me with no highways... FREAKIN AWESOME. Second, it's an entry level design position... COOL! Third and most importantly, I'm qualified for the job and can totally kick butt at it. The interview went really well and they said they would call me by Tuesday if the wanted to me work for them. Over the next 2 days the area that the job is located in, as well as my area got rather flooded. The Tuesday deadline came and went, no call. I figured there would be some weather related delays seeing as how cars were floating minutes away from the office. After Thursday had past with no calls I doubted that they were gonna call at all. I was feeling kinda down about the whole "If I wasn't a cripple I would have a job right now" thing but my mom said "You're time will come". Go figure that time was the next morning when the people called asking if I would like to work for them. After calmly working out some details on the phone I proceeded to jump around my house like a babbling idiot for the remainder of the day.
So I start my first official job on Tuesday! I shall keep you guys updated on what it's like to be a cripple in the workforce. Since I have chosen the "desk-horse" job of graphic designer hopefully my disability won't get in the way more than it already has. Oh, and if you were wondering my disability didn't come up in the interview, I used a smaller standard cane than matched my outfit better than my usual forearm crutch.
Right now I am incredibly happy with how everything is going. I knew finding a job was going to be a massive challenge, and it was. It was a long, hard, and very frustrating process, but it's over now! Being a cripple, I'm used to long arduous challenges. Whether it is finding a pair a shoes that fits or finding a job I can perform it takes patients and the realization that sooner or later it will come. On the plus side, I found a job before some of my able-bodied classmates.
Crippie's Tippie- If you work hard enough, you can achieve anything.
First off, sorry for the lack of post this week. We just got our power and internet back. This past week has certainly been a challenge but we managed to keep everyone fairly sane and none of our pets died, which is a huge bonus.
Moving on to the title, CRIPPIE'S GREAT JOB HUNT HAS COME TO AN END!!! I saw a job posting a few months back that fit my requirements of
1- Being within a safe driving distance, bonus points if I can avoid a highway
2- Something that is willing to accept recent college grads
3- Something I can physically do
Naturally I applied to the position, a few months passed without hearing a peep from them so I continued on with my search. Last week, right before Irene was gonna hit this place gave a me a call and asked if I could come over for an interview. 24 hours before Irene hit I went to said interview. First off, the place is about a 20 minute drive from me with no highways... FREAKIN AWESOME. Second, it's an entry level design position... COOL! Third and most importantly, I'm qualified for the job and can totally kick butt at it. The interview went really well and they said they would call me by Tuesday if the wanted to me work for them. Over the next 2 days the area that the job is located in, as well as my area got rather flooded. The Tuesday deadline came and went, no call. I figured there would be some weather related delays seeing as how cars were floating minutes away from the office. After Thursday had past with no calls I doubted that they were gonna call at all. I was feeling kinda down about the whole "If I wasn't a cripple I would have a job right now" thing but my mom said "You're time will come". Go figure that time was the next morning when the people called asking if I would like to work for them. After calmly working out some details on the phone I proceeded to jump around my house like a babbling idiot for the remainder of the day.
So I start my first official job on Tuesday! I shall keep you guys updated on what it's like to be a cripple in the workforce. Since I have chosen the "desk-horse" job of graphic designer hopefully my disability won't get in the way more than it already has. Oh, and if you were wondering my disability didn't come up in the interview, I used a smaller standard cane than matched my outfit better than my usual forearm crutch.
Right now I am incredibly happy with how everything is going. I knew finding a job was going to be a massive challenge, and it was. It was a long, hard, and very frustrating process, but it's over now! Being a cripple, I'm used to long arduous challenges. Whether it is finding a pair a shoes that fits or finding a job I can perform it takes patients and the realization that sooner or later it will come. On the plus side, I found a job before some of my able-bodied classmates.
Crippie's Tippie- If you work hard enough, you can achieve anything.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Crippie Is Crossing Her Crippled Little Fingers
Ohai,
Ever since I showed Frida her picture on this blog she has turned into such a little diva, demanding extra carrots, extra pellets, AND a dressing room. I think my guinea pig is a bit of a fame whore.
To put Frida down a peg I'm posting a picture of Aggie, one of 5 other piggies in my house. While she is a total loud mouth, she's not a diva.
Moving on, as mentioned in many a prior post... I REALLY WANT A JOB! I'm constantly on the hunt for a job that
a) I can do
b) I can get to
c) Is willing to hire a recent college grad
Most of time I cannot find anything near me that fits the bill. You can only imagine that my surprise when I spotted a local Craig's List ad that fits all of my requirements. HOLY CRAP! I literally just found the ad maybe ten minutes ago. I'm gonna take my time a craft a spiffy cover letter but I am totally gonna apply there today. I have a really good feeling about this job and I think I can do really well there. Let's just hope it's not a scam. Cross your fingers for Crippie everybody and hope for the best.
Crippie's Tippie- ANY EMPLOYERS OUT THERE... PLEASE HIRE ME
Aggie's Tippie- Be careful on Craig's List, there are some very bad people there. Also, hire my mommy.
UPDATE- Crippie followed Aggie's advice and looked into the company, they are known for not paying their designers... boo. THE JOB HUNT RAGES ON!
Ever since I showed Frida her picture on this blog she has turned into such a little diva, demanding extra carrots, extra pellets, AND a dressing room. I think my guinea pig is a bit of a fame whore.
Moving on, as mentioned in many a prior post... I REALLY WANT A JOB! I'm constantly on the hunt for a job that
a) I can do
b) I can get to
c) Is willing to hire a recent college grad
Most of time I cannot find anything near me that fits the bill. You can only imagine that my surprise when I spotted a local Craig's List ad that fits all of my requirements. HOLY CRAP! I literally just found the ad maybe ten minutes ago. I'm gonna take my time a craft a spiffy cover letter but I am totally gonna apply there today. I have a really good feeling about this job and I think I can do really well there. Let's just hope it's not a scam. Cross your fingers for Crippie everybody and hope for the best.
Crippie's Tippie- ANY EMPLOYERS OUT THERE... PLEASE HIRE ME
Aggie's Tippie- Be careful on Craig's List, there are some very bad people there. Also, hire my mommy.
UPDATE- Crippie followed Aggie's advice and looked into the company, they are known for not paying their designers... boo. THE JOB HUNT RAGES ON!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Crippie's Intake Appointment
Ohai,
As the title suggests, today was my intake appointment with the "help cripples get jobs" people. I was expecting a long review of my medical history, listing everything I can't do (I've had to do that before... super fun), and a brief description of what I would like to do in terms of work. In actuality it was a lot of paperwork, a long review of my education history, listing every job that I have done (MINI CRIPPIE TIPPIE- BRING YOUR RESUME TO YOUR INTAKE APPOINTMENTS, SAVES LOTS OF TIME). I was pleasantly surprised how they really didn't focus on what I can't do, but more what I want to do with my life. I'm rather optimistic at this point that this service will help me obtain some form of employment.
I returned home after the meeting, only to find a crap ton of emails in my inbox. I NEVER get crap a ton of emails. All of these emails were notifications from bloggers.com, a social network for bloggers. Curious I looked deep into my inbox to find that I was chosen as one of the "Editor's Picks of the day". This is pretty much how Crippie's mind processed this honor...
Crippie's Brain- Hmmm, buncha emails... hmmmm, all from bloggers, oh I'm the Editor's pick of the day, cool *FIVE MINUTES LATER* HOLY CRAP I'M THE EDITOR'S PICK OF THE DAY!!!
As the title suggests, today was my intake appointment with the "help cripples get jobs" people. I was expecting a long review of my medical history, listing everything I can't do (I've had to do that before... super fun), and a brief description of what I would like to do in terms of work. In actuality it was a lot of paperwork, a long review of my education history, listing every job that I have done (MINI CRIPPIE TIPPIE- BRING YOUR RESUME TO YOUR INTAKE APPOINTMENTS, SAVES LOTS OF TIME). I was pleasantly surprised how they really didn't focus on what I can't do, but more what I want to do with my life. I'm rather optimistic at this point that this service will help me obtain some form of employment.
I returned home after the meeting, only to find a crap ton of emails in my inbox. I NEVER get crap a ton of emails. All of these emails were notifications from bloggers.com, a social network for bloggers. Curious I looked deep into my inbox to find that I was chosen as one of the "Editor's Picks of the day". This is pretty much how Crippie's mind processed this honor...
Crippie's Brain- Hmmm, buncha emails... hmmmm, all from bloggers, oh I'm the Editor's pick of the day, cool *FIVE MINUTES LATER* HOLY CRAP I'M THE EDITOR'S PICK OF THE DAY!!!
I've gotta give a big thanks to whoever picked Crippie and also a bigger thanks to everyone that reads this :D
Crippie's Tippie- Crippie is a good worker, hire Crippie
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Disability & The Work Force
Greetings,
I've been a college graduate for a few months now, and unfortunately I'm still unemployed. This isn't an uncommon problem for people with disabilities. Along with the general sucky-ness of the job market, having a disability puts further strain on my search...
--- No really long commutes. I have chronic fatigue so driving home late at night after a long days work could be kinda dangerous.
--- No subways. Thanks to my RSD my legs are vibration sensitive (in other words my legs hurt when a floor shakes). Sadly, this kinda eliminates the possibility for me to work in the city, which is pretty much every graphic designers dream. The money I'm saving by not having a NYC apartment makes me feel slightly better about this.
---Nothing involving significant amounts of physical labor. I think that one speaks for itself.
While I would just like to find ANY JOB, unlike my "normal" friends I do not have to the luxury of being able to find a "teenage job" like a waitress for the time being. I had a dandy conversation with my grandmother about this subject.
Grannie- How's the job hunt coming?
Crippie- I'm applying to everything I see
Grannie- You should find a small job in the meantime, like a waitress
Crippie- But I can't walk....
Grannie- Retail?
Crippie- Can't lift heavy objects and I can't stand for more than 10 minutes without it hurting
Grannie- hhhhmmmmm
Crippie- yyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh
Grannie- yeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
So in the meantime I have been looking locally for any jobs that I might even sorta qualify for. Also, the program that paid for my driving lessons, part of my education, etc has a job placement office. I didn't want to use their help, but it looks like I need it. I have an intake appointment on Wednesday with them. I'll let you guys know how that goes.
Also, I'm trying to see what I can do on the interwebz as far as making money and finding freelance clients. I'm going to be writing articles for blogcritics.org about whatever my little heart desires. At the moment I feel like writing reviews for "pretty books" :D.
Additionally, I've been getting more comfortable with styling my blog and adding HTML/CSS goodies. If anyone out in the blog-o-sphere would like a blogger redesign, HIT CRIPPIE UP. I designed my blog and I am also currently working on THIS blog's design as well. I'll do anything from a badge, banner, to the whole damn blog!
So yeah, expect several job related posts in the next coming weeks/months. Wish Crippie luck!
Crippie's Tippie For Pre-Work Force Crippies- Go to school and become educated in something that a) you enjoy doing and b) you can physically do. Desk jobs seem to do nicely.
Crippie's Tippie For Work Force Age Crippies- There are places and programs that help you find jobs.
I've been a college graduate for a few months now, and unfortunately I'm still unemployed. This isn't an uncommon problem for people with disabilities. Along with the general sucky-ness of the job market, having a disability puts further strain on my search...
--- No really long commutes. I have chronic fatigue so driving home late at night after a long days work could be kinda dangerous.
--- No subways. Thanks to my RSD my legs are vibration sensitive (in other words my legs hurt when a floor shakes). Sadly, this kinda eliminates the possibility for me to work in the city, which is pretty much every graphic designers dream. The money I'm saving by not having a NYC apartment makes me feel slightly better about this.
---Nothing involving significant amounts of physical labor. I think that one speaks for itself.
While I would just like to find ANY JOB, unlike my "normal" friends I do not have to the luxury of being able to find a "teenage job" like a waitress for the time being. I had a dandy conversation with my grandmother about this subject.
Grannie- How's the job hunt coming?
Crippie- I'm applying to everything I see
Grannie- You should find a small job in the meantime, like a waitress
Crippie- But I can't walk....
Grannie- Retail?
Crippie- Can't lift heavy objects and I can't stand for more than 10 minutes without it hurting
Grannie- hhhhmmmmm
Crippie- yyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh
Grannie- yeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
So in the meantime I have been looking locally for any jobs that I might even sorta qualify for. Also, the program that paid for my driving lessons, part of my education, etc has a job placement office. I didn't want to use their help, but it looks like I need it. I have an intake appointment on Wednesday with them. I'll let you guys know how that goes.
Also, I'm trying to see what I can do on the interwebz as far as making money and finding freelance clients. I'm going to be writing articles for blogcritics.org about whatever my little heart desires. At the moment I feel like writing reviews for "pretty books" :D.
Additionally, I've been getting more comfortable with styling my blog and adding HTML/CSS goodies. If anyone out in the blog-o-sphere would like a blogger redesign, HIT CRIPPIE UP. I designed my blog and I am also currently working on THIS blog's design as well. I'll do anything from a badge, banner, to the whole damn blog!
So yeah, expect several job related posts in the next coming weeks/months. Wish Crippie luck!
Crippie's Tippie For Pre-Work Force Crippies- Go to school and become educated in something that a) you enjoy doing and b) you can physically do. Desk jobs seem to do nicely.
Crippie's Tippie For Work Force Age Crippies- There are places and programs that help you find jobs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
