[dsindc]

Looking to get back into work again if possible.

Going into it blind as an SCI individual...not sure how the logistics are going to work...

If I end up with a desk/office job and I need help once or twice during the workday (to int. cath. for example) can I have someone come help me? Isn't that weird/unprofessional?

In my slightly ridiculous imagination, I keep picturing taking a lunch break to go meet my mother somewhere to help me.

Most offices rely on computers, but say I take an internship that may ask for some minor filing or something like that and my hands are no good, do I have to avoid such jobs just for those tiny things I can't really do?

What do I say about my disability during an interview?

Any words of advice/info would be greatly appreciated.

I am a little worried. I know confidence will be important, but I am afraid people will see petite, reserved, softspoken baby faced me in a wheelchair she can just barely push with curled up fingers and see limitation. I would like to go into this feeling capable, normal, confident and with total disregard to my condition. Adviiiiiiiiiiice.

[gordonr]

dsindc, on Jan 29 2010, 06:35 PM, said:

Looking to get back into work again if possible.

Going into it blind as an SCI individual...not sure how the logistics are going to work...

If I end up with a desk/office job and I need help once or twice during the workday (to int. cath. for example) can I have someone come help me? Isn't that weird/unprofessional?

In my slightly ridiculous imagination, I keep picturing taking a lunch break to go meet my mother somewhere to help me.

Most offices rely on computers, but say I take an internship that may ask for some minor filing or something like that and my hands are no good, do I have to avoid such jobs just for those tiny things I can't really do?

What do I say about my disability during an interview?

Any words of advice/info would be greatly appreciated.

I am a little worried. I know confidence will be important, but I am afraid people will see petite, reserved, softspoken baby faced me in a wheelchair she can just barely push with curled up fingers and see limitation. I would like to go into this feeling capable, normal, confident and with total disregard to my condition. Adviiiiiiiiiiice.

Hi Dani,

I'm surprized you haven't gotten more response to this. It looks to me like a very important subject.

I have nothing to add myself, because I am in that great basket of unemployed gimps (if twelve years of early childhood primary care with four kids qualifies for the "unemployed" moniker).

In any case, I am a para and hence not the best for giving advice to a quad.

But there are others here who pretend to be gainfully employed...

*GR rolling eyes and tapping foot...*

(Supposed to be, anyway)

Best to you Dani,

Gordon

[Tetracyclone]

Dani,
Wish I could add something useful. there are worksites that take accessibility seriously, and someone visiting to help you IC is an access issue, but I would not explain other than "I require X number of breaks per shift, during which my attendant will visit to help me with personal care."

I am confident that in time you will figure out a way to IC for yourself. don't give up on those hands. Work them even though it seems useless. If you don't win back some flexibility in your fingers future nerve gains will be useless and unnoticed.

Figure out what you CAN do and how you can help some business that interests you. Obviously computer use is key. Not much filing goes on anymore- stuff is scanned and stored digitally.

Confidence comes from knowing you can help, so figure out what you can do. DC must have an occupational center that might help, though they tend to dummy down to the lowest common denominator.

Consider also jobs that can be done working at home with phone and computer. It is your brain that will get you work, and you have a good one.

lastly, work any contacts in business that either you or your family have.

make sure you are ready and have thought things through when you begin. Preparation means a lot.

This post has been edited by Tetracyclone: 31 January 2010 - 02:48 AM

[ericr]

hey bethany my understanding is that an employer can not deny you employment based on your disability and must accomidate your needs at work to a reasonable level. meaning room at your desk for chair, special computer accessories and such. but are not required to accommodate extreme changes. As far as cathing and having someone help you they should not care and is not something I would say on an interview thats personal.
As far as "types" of work I owned a mortgage company before my accident and am going to work this month at another mortgage company. I got lucky my brother works there and can help me. But an office job either in customer service, sales or receptionist is always a good start and then you can take it from there.
I am in florida and we have vocational Rehab operated by dept of education, they assist with getting you back to work with job placement and adaptive equiptment for your vehicle. I just met with them and they are installing handcontrols in my car and getting me a lighter chair so i can take it apart and put in the car. I would definetly look into a voc rehab in dc.
Also as a business owner i employed a disalbed person and it had no affect on my decision for his empoyment he was confident and a hard worker and thats why I hired him.
hope this helps

[Denny]

I am a para, and works full time, not best placed to advice a quad, but happy to share what I learned/experienced
Tiny things you are not able to do will not matter as long as you are able to perform major part of the work. I work as Systems administrator and the server room is not accessible, nor I can do the tasks like lifting, opening of servers. When ever there is need to do physical tasks, I make the necessary arrangements and my colleagues does it for me. What is important is for you to convince the interviewer that you are able to perform major part of the job. Nobody is perfect, even the able body people require help from time to time.
Getting job is not easy even for able body people. There may be occasions when you think that the interview went very well and you have good chance of getting the job, but don't get job offer. It is very much possible that some one else performed better in that interview. It is easy to think that the reason for not getting the job is disability, looking back on my experience I do not think so. When it is the right job for you, you will get it. After my injury I continued working at same company, and in 6 years I looked for job change and in 6-8 months period I got 2 job offers and I accepted one (as I was already working, I applied for specific job profiles only).

During interview I did not specifically talked about my disability, My focus was to convince the interviewer that I fit the job profile. People at work place are generally very helpful, some may not know how they can help, all you have to do is to ask / tell them and they will be more than happy to help.

Good luck with your job search

This post has been edited by Denny: 01 February 2010 - 03:57 PM

[doublelibra]

Your State Vocational Rehabilitation or Assistive Technology may be able to help you. You also probably have a Center for Independent Living in your area that serves as an info and referral source. Voc Rehab does have a whole process of intake and testing that's kind of a pain in the rear, but they are supposed to do such things as evaluate your worksite and come up with support and solutions if there are obstacles or problems. Good Luck!

[Pressingontx]

Here is a link to State Voc Rehabilitation offices in the US. If you haven't met with them already, it might be a good first step. Good luck!