[tanki]

I am 35yrs quadriplegic female,been in and out of rehabs with a lot of councelling but still feeling depressed.The frustration of managing caregivers and of always feeling like a burden to my family. Live with my brother and his family. My worst nightmare is being refered to as a third person even in my presence. Staying in South Africa with less forums if any,one has no one to chat with hence a friend introduced me to this site.I need to work so badly but wonder if the coperate world can accommodate a quad.

[EBrown]

Hi there and welcome from a fellow South African. Where are you based? I am married to Martin who is a C4 (complete) quad. He amazes me everyday with his positivity and independence. He uses an electric 4x4 wheelchair that he designs, custom builds and manufactures right here in Krugersdorp. I am sure that if you chat to him he will help you to see the light. Check out his website at http://www.radicalmobility.com . He also runs a forum for quads just like him here in SA. Hope this makes your day. Stay in touch.

[HiltonP]

tanki . . . Greetings from a fellow South African!

Firstly, addressing some of your concerns . . . Internet forums are not linked to countries, so living here in SA doesn't provide us with less, or more, forums than someone in London, NYC or Timbucktoo. IMO this is currently the best disability forum on the Net. There are others, New Mobility, PowerQuad, Wheelchairjunkie, etc but none of them are quite like this forum.

Being addressed as a third person . . . Mmmm, that might take a while to go away. I've been in a wheelchair for over 35 years and I still get that. Let it go, it's their problem, not yours. Focus on the people that talk to you directly.

Can the SA business world accommodate a quad? . . . Yup, it can, and it does. I found employment in the open job market in 1979 so things can only have improved since then, particularly with EE in SA. You probably have the best chance with the big corporates, the banks, insurers, mining companies, councils, etc. The key is to have skills that a business needs. When you have something which they need then your disability becomes a non-issue.

With employment comes financial independence, and your next move should probably be in the direction of your own home. With skills, a job, and your own home you won't have time for depression! . . . ;)

[Quad65]

I'm in the U.S. and can only speak from my experience. As far as work goes, it all depends on the corporation or company and their management. They can be as supportive and accommodating as they want to -- or not. I've been a C5/C6 quad for 45 years and worked full-time for three major entities. I worked as a Computer Programmer/Analyst and Instructor and did some of my work from home via terminal hook-up for one company. The other two were co-operative about a flexible work schedule when bowel/bladder/illness issues cropped up.

I guess you never know until you inquire from a prospective employer. If you have a marketable skill and they have a need to fill, you may find a suitable position.

[Jok]

Hi Tanki,
I was in yuor position and found it hard to deal with. A lot depends on yourself. You have to market yourself and not expect others to do it for you. You may have to take a different direction. I went back to college and did a H Dip in teaching. I convinced people thet my chair was a positive and not a hindrence. If you get a chance look out for Tinbasher on this site. Amazing guy who turned it around for himself. I really wish you the best of luck and if I can be of any help just shout.

[tanki]

EBrown, on 07 September 2010 - 11:19 AM, said:

Hi there and welcome from a fellow South African. Where are you based? I am married to Martin who is a C4 (complete) quad. He amazes me everyday with his positivity and independence. He uses an electric 4x4 wheelchair that he designs, custom builds and manufactures right here in Krugersdorp. I am sure that if you chat to him he will help you to see the light. Check out his website at http://www.radicalmobility.com . He also runs a forum for quads just like him here in SA. Hope this makes your day. Stay in touch.

I am based in Vereeniging living with my brother and sister in law,will def check the website. Thank you.

[tanki]

Jok, on 07 September 2010 - 05:19 PM, said:

Hi Tanki,
I was in yuor position and found it hard to deal with. A lot depends on yourself. You have to market yourself and not expect others to do it for you. You may have to take a different direction. I went back to college and did a H Dip in teaching. I convinced people thet my chair was a positive and not a hindrence. If you get a chance look out for Tinbasher on this site. Amazing guy who turned it around for himself. I really wish you the best of luck and if I can be of any help just shout.

Thanks J,do have an attractive CV,been to my first interview with one of leading telecoms org and was turned down due to lack of confidence.I will keep trying as I need to roll up.

[Jok]

tanki, on 07 September 2010 - 05:35 PM, said:

Jok, on 07 September 2010 - 05:19 PM, said:

Hi Tanki,
I was in yuor position and found it hard to deal with. A lot depends on yourself. You have to market yourself and not expect others to do it for you. You may have to take a different direction. I went back to college and did a H Dip in teaching. I convinced people thet my chair was a positive and not a hindrence. If you get a chance look out for Tinbasher on this site. Amazing guy who turned it around for himself. I really wish you the best of luck and if I can be of any help just shout.

Thanks J,do have an attractive CV,been to my first interview with one of leading telecoms org and was turned down due to lack of confidence.I will keep trying as I need to roll up.

Well done Tanki keepon rockin'

[tanki]

HiltonP, on 07 September 2010 - 11:35 AM, said:

tanki . . . Greetings from a fellow South African!

Firstly, addressing some of your concerns . . . Internet forums are not linked to countries, so living here in SA doesn't provide us with less, or more, forums than someone in London, NYC or Timbucktoo. IMO this is currently the best disability forum on the Net. There are others, New Mobility, PowerQuad, Wheelchairjunkie, etc but none of them are quite like this forum.

Being addressed as a third person . . . Mmmm, that might take a while to go away. I've been in a wheelchair for over 35 years and I still get that. Let it go, it's their problem, not yours. Focus on the people that talk to you directly.

Can the SA business world accommodate a quad? . . . Yup, it can, and it does. I found employment in the open job market in 1979 so things can only have improved since then, particularly with EE in SA. You probably have the best chance with the big corporates, the banks, insurers, mining companies, councils, etc. The key is to have skills that a business needs. When you have something which they need then your disability becomes a non-issue.

Hi and thanks,been to a few interviews including on of SA leading companies but still to look harder and keep sending out the CVs.I feel so ready,have two kids who need a home and have been in the corporate world since 1999. Did took breaks here and there to equip myself.

With employment comes financial independence, and your next move should probably be in the direction of your own home. With skills, a job, and your own home you won't have time for depression! . . . ;)

[tanki]

EBrown, on 07 September 2010 - 11:19 AM, said:

Hi there and welcome from a fellow South African. Where are you based? I am married to Martin who is a C4 (complete) quad. He amazes me everyday with his positivity and independence. He uses an electric 4x4 wheelchair that he designs, custom builds and manufactures right here in Krugersdorp. I am sure that if you chat to him he will help you to see the light. Check out his website at http://www.radicalmobility.com . He also runs a forum for quads just like him here in SA. Hope this makes your day. Stay in touch.

Have exhausted my available recruiting agencies,do you have any you can share?

[tanki]

tanki, on 07 September 2010 - 05:44 PM, said:

HiltonP, on 07 September 2010 - 11:35 AM, said:

tanki . . . Greetings from a fellow South African!

Firstly, addressing some of your concerns . . . Internet forums are not linked to countries, so living here in SA doesn't provide us with less, or more, forums than someone in London, NYC or Timbucktoo. IMO this is currently the best disability forum on the Net. There are others, New Mobility, PowerQuad, Wheelchairjunkie, etc but none of them are quite like this forum.

Being addressed as a third person . . . Mmmm, that might take a while to go away. I've been in a wheelchair for over 35 years and I still get that. Let it go, it's their problem, not yours. Focus on the people that talk to you directly.

Can the SA business world accommodate a quad? . . . Yup, it can, and it does. I found employment in the open job market in 1979 so things can only have improved since then, particularly with EE in SA. You probably have the best chance with the big corporates, the banks, insurers, mining companies, councils, etc. The key is to have skills that a business needs. When you have something which they need then your disability becomes a non-issue.

Hi and thanks,been to a few interviews including on of SA leading companies but still to look harder and keep sending out the CVs.I feel so ready,have two kids who need a home and have been in the corporate world since 1999. Did took breaks here and there to equip myself.

With employment comes financial independence, and your next move should probably be in the direction of your own home. With skills, a job, and your own home you won't have time for depression! . . . ;)

Hi and thanks. Have so far exhausted my list of recruiting agencies,skills and expirience do have can you please help with any you may have. Already used Rolling Inspiration list.

[HiltonP]

tanki . . . I was never comfortable with recruitment agencies. They make their money out of churning people,
and therefore adopt the path of least resistance. It's a lot easier for them to sell an able-bod than a
disabled person. I prefered to find my own jobs, and handle my own interviews. I wanted my future employer
to see me firsthand, and not through the perceptions of a recruiter.

You mentioned applying to the telecoms companies . . . MTN, Vodacom, Cell C, Neotel, Virgin, Vox?

What skills have you got?