20 replies to this topic

[lieutenant]

Hello everyone,

I was thinking about that everyone of us in here tell us what does they do for living and how do they manage their disability along with the job requirements... what challenges do you find to keep up working along with your pain problems, treatments, and worries... does anyone practice some kind of home job? what role does your spouse or husband play in this process?

Share everything you see fit so people who stopped working after their injury can start again and figure new ways to be a active element in their community

[BillS]

I'm a computer programmer and I pretty much handle my job the way a normal guy would.

It takes a bit longer to get ready in the morning but on the other hand I have a very short commute so I'd say compared to the average person they cancel out. I can drive my own car so I get to work the same as most people. The building I work in in accessible so other than always using the elevator instead of the stairs/escalator I get around just like everyone else. Overall I'm pretty much just one of the guys at work.

I do have some pain here and there but it's not too bad so some over the counter pain killers take the edge off of it. I don't have any treatments, never have had any so I'm not sure what that would be. I do have more doctor appointments than most people but I use sick or vacation time for them. I'm currently single but when I was married my spouse had no role in my working at lease no more than any spouse would normally have.

I guess I have it lucky...other than being a complete T6 and getting all of the aches/pains/injuries from getting older I'm pretty much a normal person.

[Ferreira]

I grew up surrounded by cars, engines, tools, etc. Before sci i worked as a mechanic and car painter.
Now i do the same on Classic Motorcycles. Still i need some help sometimes with heavier stuff but i get it done much better than most!! Passion and patience leads to perfection

[goldnucs]

I am Partner and CEO of GO! Mobility Solutions since 2005. Before that I owned a real estate development and contracting company for 20+ years, also entrepreneured my way through a couple of businesses and was a Day Trader for 5 years.

[sunshineseattle]

I am a 3rd party seller on Amazon. That is to say, I lift and move 40 - 50 lb boxes a lot of the day! My sciatica is flaring up again and I am looking for advise. I need a hand-truck that "lifts the load to me" so that I can continue making a living! Any thoughts?

[Ferreira]

sunshineseattle, on 18 October 2011 - 06:25 PM, said:

I am a 3rd party seller on Amazon. That is to say, I lift and move 40 - 50 lb boxes a lot of the day! My sciatica is flaring up again and I am looking for advise. I need a hand-truck that "lifts the load to me" so that I can continue making a living! Any thoughts?

I would try to find a lighter job! After the harm done it´s hard to go back!

[Ginny]

I'm a project management consultant. I'm able to drive, so go to the office three days a week and then work from home the other two. Days in the office are tiring but do-able. I haul everything up to my desk with a walker and then use hiking poles the rest of the day. The building I work is in accessible, but moderately so. There's only one door that has an automatic opener and there are doors everywhere. I leave a little extra time to get to meeting rooms. Other than that, I work the same as everyone else. I'm lucky that I don't have much pain and what is there can be managed with over the counter pain relievers.

[The Black Sheep]

I co-own a computer repair shop with my husband. I work mainly as the main consultant for questions, sign ins, price quoting and similar things. I'm the book keeper and the tax man when the time comes. I also do about 25% of the repairs and am the main "tutor" technician that explains things or demonstrates stuff for customers.

I don't do a lot of the heavy lifting, but on occasion I get to fight with a 20-30 lbs desktop computer where I lift it from the floor to my lap, then to a table. I just recently gained the use of my erector spinaes and can pull my chest back up into a sitting position, which makes lifting a ton easier. It's the only area my job has really been difficult.

Other than that though, once the computer is on the table, all the work is in the hands. I sometimes need to take a quick time out and cath, and if there's a customer I just sneak over to my desk and hide my bag as I stuff my hands down my pants.

It's my office, I'll put my hands in my pants when I want to! =)

[Tetracyclone]

The Black Sheep, on 18 October 2011 - 11:09 PM, said:

It's my office, I'll put my hands in my pants when I want to! =)

Haha. I know what I would think. Kuddos on the Return of Erector Spinae. Make a movie! Work those buggers hard. Your trips for the cigars is going to get so much easier.

[Chrisonwheels]

Full-time Primary school teacher. Access to Work funding has helped a lot. Being busy takes your minds off the aches and pains. Very patient wife also teaches and listens to my moans about any work hassles.
Very hard work at first, but after a few years you learn plenty of short-cuts

[Kwag_Myers]

You may want to check out the Poll Booth thread on this subject. There's a few pages of replies you might find interesting.

To answer your question, I was, and still am, a Technical Writer specializing in Software Development. I telecommute three days a week, which really helps in many ways: gas, fatigue, etc. Not much has changed occupationally, except for the occasional camper in the last stall. Oh, and I don't have to stand up for the daily "Stand Up" meeting. You'd think they'd come up with a more politically correct name for it!

[The Black Sheep]

Kwag_Myers, on 20 October 2011 - 07:12 PM, said:

Oh, and I don't have to stand up for the daily "Stand Up" meeting. You'd think they'd come up with a more politically correct name for it!

Well, someone could also misinterpret "stand up" as in skipping the meeting. You're standing them up. I bet they'd quickly change the name if people started skipping out, but you could totally throw the blame right back at them!

[Kwag_Myers]

The Black Sheep, on 20 October 2011 - 09:09 PM, said:

Kwag_Myers, on 20 October 2011 - 07:12 PM, said:

Oh, and I don't have to stand up for the daily "Stand Up" meeting. You'd think they'd come up with a more politically correct name for it!

Well, someone could also misinterpret "stand up" as in skipping the meeting. You're standing them up. I bet they'd quickly change the name if people started skipping out, but you could totally throw the blame right back at them!

Good point. Actually, Stand Ups are a common part of Agile Software Development. I was at another company where a department manager was yelling at everyone because they weren't conducting the meeting correctly. At one point he said, "This is a Stand Up Meeting and that means EVERYONE stands up!" All eyes on me. I wanted to say something like, "Make me." or "This is why I have HR on speed dial." But something told me that humor was inappropriate for the moment, so I just shrugged my shoulders.

[Tarkus]

I'm a VP with Disability Rights Advocates For Technology/SEGS4VETS.

As a non-profit founded by persons with disabilities for persons with disabilities we are very flexible (pun) as far as scheduling.
The hardest part for me is the travel. Whole lotta nights in hotels and long flights or road trips. This old body doesn't like a change in routine so it's always hard to stay on the right diet and rest when on the road.

But it gets me out of bed in the morning.

Be Big,
AMAC

[scd]

Read Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

I used to be a Machine Control Engineer, including software and electrical engineering and I tried for many months to keep working but couldn't do it anymore.

Now I manage investments all day. It is something I can do at home. I can get up and walk around or lay down when I need to and I am very close to a bathroom which is real important with bowel control problems!

[Lennyboy]

I used to be a excavator and tractor driver before my accident, I still do it now, just!

[MrBump]

i owned and ran a retail store pre injury.
i own and run a retail store post injury.

[Four Tracker]

I own a manufacturers representative company. We sell electrical switchgear mainly to contractors and industrial accounts. I am able to get around with a cane and leg braces, but lately my knees have been giving me trouble and limiting my mobility.

[dianna318]

Pre; gees so many different things but almost all industrial in nature.

Post; Nothing for pay but I volunteer with USARC in S. Calif. in the winter working mostly with children with cognitive issues.

[paraguy1]

Well im retired from General Motors but now I grow and sell medical marijuana. And I will do this as long as Michigan allows me to do it legally. It helps alot of people with pain and depression issues as well as helping ones appetite.

Edited by paraguy1, 27 November 2011 - 07:05 PM.

[mellowgator]

paraguy1, on 27 November 2011 - 06:22 PM, said:

Well im retired from General Motors but now I grow and sell medical marijuana. And I will do this as long as Michigan allows me to do it legally. It helps alot of people with pain and depression issues as well as helping ones appetite.

i think i'm in love. what a great gig. if only florida would get with the program.


mellowgator