These are FMBs for the balance-impaired. No more high heels for me. They should arrive from the US in two weeks.Yesterday I did manage to stand on my tip-toes to reach something up high and maintain it for a minute or so. That's something I haven't been able to do without falling over in about a year.
Things remain much as they were two days ago. Balance is good, stuff is generally working and coordinated - most of the time.
My family doctor went on 8 months maternity leave in September of last year so we ended up having a little catch-up appointment yesterday. She won't give me any drugs (good or uninteresting) until after I've been reassessed by the MS specialists (cardiologist, neuro-psychiatrist, neurologist, & physical therapist).
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
I've got the go-ahead to start looking for work as of May 25. Now I won't lose my Employment Insurance benefits, Joe can stay in school, and I won't violate my sponsorship agreement by going on social assistance.
I have NO idea who will hire me, what kind of job I am capable of doing, or what kind of employee I'll be given I can't work long hours and I can't get stressed out.
Income supports are great for people who've broken their leg and can't work, but they are not designed for people who will have ongoing, chronic illnesses. Sucks donut.
On craigslist click on "jobs" then do a search for "blogger" and you can be paid to blog!
ReplyDeleteMight be cool if you get a fun contract about something you are interested in.
Yay you! Look how far you have come! That is WONDERFUL! I'm not certain where you are but if you were in the US (I gather you are not since you have having your nifty keen boots shipped from the US) I would say look for a state job ;-)
ReplyDeleteI am in Canada, and I've applied for local, provincial and federal gov't jobs in the past, but I suspect that checking the "disabled" box will get me shortlisted more often.
ReplyDeleteFirst off--we prefer it when my Step Daughter's mother committs herself (like last weekend) cause then we know she's keeping up her end of the bargain (being as sane as she can be).
ReplyDeleteSecond- work-telecommuting is a great way to work without having to suffer the stresses of working along side idiots. That's what I do. It also removes the limitations of having to only look for work in the Vancouver area. And you don't sign on to msn if you don't want to talk to anyone you work with.
Send me your resume, or at least what you're interested in doing. I spent a year looking for telecommuting positions and have gotten real good at finding opportunities. I also have some really awesome contacts who might be able to help.
I also think blogging would be great. You will be amazed at how many companies are looking for people who can Tweet, Facebook and all that other jazz.
Lastly, can you send me an email about how you and your husband went about his sponsorship. The order in which you did things? I had already finished the paperwork and got an interview to get visas for the kids and I to go the other way-to the US. We are still kickin around the make him a Canadian route though.
Chin up! You're less likely to dribble the gin that way.
Angel
Well score one for the US since I don't think they can even ask if you are disabled when you apply for a gov't position here. I really hope that you find something that 1. satisfies your financial needs 2. is something you enjoy doing and 3. that causes as little stress as possible to you!
ReplyDeleteThey can't "ask" you if you're disabled. They ask you to self-indentify, as a portion of the civil service is required to be held for "visible minorities". These are first nations, the disabled, ethnic minorities and in some cases, women. You still have to qualify for the position, but if it comes down to an able bodied qualified person and a disabled qualified person, it always comes down to the disabled one.
ReplyDeleteAre you talking about Canada or the US as well? And if you have qualifications the able bodied person doesn't then that puts a whole different spin on it! But yes, having MS sucks ass! Absolutely no question about it! I certainly didn't choose to get MS!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm talking about Canada. Many large employers will ask if you are part of a minority group, as they have practices designed to promote "employment equity".
ReplyDeleteIn Canada, at least, all employers have a "duty to accommodate" people with disabilities, and the only way you have to disclose your disability to an employer is if you are looking for accommodation of a disability. And you don't even have to tell the employer what you have, just that you have a disability that needs accommodation and the action that needs to be taken to accommodate it.
I think, due to the Americans with Diabilities act, US employers are prohibited from even asking about disabilities.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was first diagnosed I was utterly paranoid about anyone knowing about the MS largely because my previous employer had fired me a week after I got out of the hospital (and yeah, I could and probably should have sued him but I didn't) and I was convinced that if anyone knew about the MS I wouldn't be able to get a job. I was also very focused on finding some type of office job since I assumed I was going to be very disabled from the MS and unable to do what I love (train and care for dogs) so I spent 3 years doing annoying temp office jobs that I mostly loathed and which stressed me out and put me in contact with germy people constantly. I was also doing some web design/development at the same time which I kind of liked (the work, NOT the clients ;-)) but I wanted some type of simple job where I could spend some time around people since being alone 24/7 is somewhat unhealthy mentally. I got three calls one day for pet sitting and the first two I gave my standard, "oh I'm sorry I no longer do any pet sitting...blah, blah, blah." But the third call? I said, "why YES I AM a pet sitter!"
That was more than four years ago and despite all assumptions that caring for large, unruly dogs and having to walk them daily would be a HORRIBLE career choice for someone with MS I am happier than really I probably ever have been or have any right to be :-)
My point is just, don't assume that you HAVE to take a job because of the MS. Having MS has not taken the right to have a career that you enjoy away from you!
Like I said, they can't force you out, they can only ask if you wish to be included in employment equity opportunities. Most small companies don't have to accommodate, but the gov'ts, health authorities, and large corporations that are federally regulated DO have programs to enhance a diverse work force and it often means that when there are two equally qualified people the job goes to the minority.
ReplyDeleteI have never had a career I enjoy, and I now know that I can't go back to anything close to my old one. So I don't know what to do, other than not what I did before.
I'll figure it out, and hopefully before the money runs out.