13 replies to this topic

[Nichole]

Hi everyone, i'm new to this site so i'll start by telling you some info on myself. I'm a t6 complete so they docs say, however i've regained movement all the way down to my hips. This was all cause by a car accident about 2 years ago. I'm trying to go to college now (i'm 19 years old) but i don't know what to major in. I don't know if i'll have a difficult time with some jobs since i'm in the wheelchair. So anyway i was wondering if anyone had any ideas, or felt like sharing what they do for a job and how they like it. Thanks.

[John Anderson]

Welcome Nichole!

That's kind of like me, but I'm a T5, and I'm not getting any movement, I would love to, but no. I was also in an accident and I'm a 17 year old junior.

I wanted to join the Air Force like Colonel (my dad) and fly fighter jets, but now I don't know, I just want to get to college with a good major, I don't know Not yet.

Again, nice to meet you!

[livewriter]

Can do whatever you wish. If unsure about major then take preliminary courses. your direction will come.

[cvelusc]

Welcome to the site Nichole! As a recent grad I have to agree with LiveWriter and say that just get your feet wet with preliminary classes (i.e., college level writing, math, science, etc) and you will quickly/slowly gravitate to an area of study that really interests you. Career counselors are always a viable option. And in addition, volunteering in a work setting that you find interesting may give you insight in what profession you want to go forward with.

Well wishes!

[Nichole]

Thanks for the ideas everyone. It's not that i don't beleive in myself, but i just want to be logical too, and not take on something that would be really difficult to do from my chair. Thanks for all the warm welcomes! I just happened to find this site, and i love it. I don't have any other friends in chairs, and its nice to have people to talk to going through the same things!

[John Anderson]

Nichole, on Oct 5 2006, 12:03 PM, said:

Thanks for the ideas everyone. It's not that i don't beleive in myself, but i just want to be logical too, and not take on something that would be really difficult to do from my chair. Thanks for all the warm welcomes! I just happened to find this site, and i love it. I don't have any other friends in chairs, and its nice to have people to talk to going through the same things!

No problem. Colonel always tell me that there's no such thing as difficult, and just what your mind make of it, so I guess that's kind of true on what you want to bring on.

[gsp23]

I work in computers and one requirement you find at almost all companies for support (software, hardware, network, etc) is that you will need to lift between 30-50 lbs. As long as you can do that there should be no problems. Network support does consist of getting up and running cables in the ceiling so if you have a standing chair then should be no problem there. If not, then if you were interested in the computer field then networking would be do-able when working with a large company because there are several people on hand and someone else can run cables while you do other work like programming routeres, etc. Small companies tend to be a 1-2 person IT group that they want to do everything. Other than running cables in the ceiling if in the networking support group then I cant think of any issues working in the IT field from security to support, to programming, etc. assuming you can lift 30-50 lbs.

Good luck with whatever field you do end up selecting.

[cvelusc]

aantiix, on Oct 9 2006, 10:51 PM, said:

[snip]
...I cant think of any issues working in the IT field from security to support, to programming, etc. assuming you can lift 30-50 lbs.

Good luck with whatever field you do end up selecting.

I was a JAVA programmer till the accident, then I started back full-time in school. As a computer programmer, I had zero duties of lifting at the office. Most difficult task was sitting behind a computer for 8-10 hours/day with zero sunlight in my cubicle.

I'm by far happier working with people than computers, which explains why I'm back in school.

[bigsmiles]

Yeah working with people, i agree with you there its sooo much nicer

[milosh]

there are many options for us. IT, business, journalism [and other medias-related stuff], teaching, ... it more depends on your interests and abilities than the disability itself.

[brackman22]

Step one should be getting in touch with you local Vocational Rehabilitation agency. They can help you a lot with possible career choices and what not. They will pay for schooling and other things that will help you reach your goals. They paid for my van modification and many other things. They have dealt with many people in your situations or other similar ones.

They are usually part of agencies like AFDC and child services. You should have no problem hooking up with them.

I wish you all the luck.

Brett

[Texaswheelz]

Do what you feel you will be happy doing the rest of your life, for me I have still not found that 1 thing after 7-8 years of college and about 5 major changes. I started out in business management, went to finance, to law, to accounting and then to computers. Waste of time and money, but sadly at the age of 32 I still don't know what I want to do, but I haven't spent any more money at college for 6 years.

My wife however has always wanted to be a chef, but after working for an accountant while in high school and then getting her CPA and working as an accountant for 12 years she has finally started culinary school this year and working as a baker at nights. She loves it...

So think what your most interested in and pursue it. Yes there are some jobs that won't work out to well unless your running it yourself or find a very good employer to work with you. But the majority of jobs out there are still doable.

[htwhlz97]

milosh, on Oct 10 2006, 02:56 PM, said:

there are many options for us. ... it more depends on your interests and abilities than the disability itself.

I definitaly agree with that Milosh. Just get your self in the game and some thing will find you and you'll know when it hits you.

[Nichole]

Well, my search continues, but thanks for the added advice! Oh, and i tried the voc-rehab, and they won't help due to financial reasons.