25 replies to this topic

[angel888]

Im just wondering what careers could paras and quads have? Im a para since birth but never got the chance to talk with other people in the same situation.. I'm just wondering.. I am studying for medical transcription..

[azx43]

Hi angel888! I was always told and happen to believe that people who are para- or quadriplegic can be anything they want to be. There are NO limits! I use a wheelchair as result of a brain injury, and am an interpretive ranger with the US Forest Service. A friend of mine who is paraplegic is a professional athlete and also invests in real estate. Don't see limits, only possibilities!!!

[angel888]

Hi azx43!!. when did you start working for the U.S. forest service, before or after the injury? I do hope someone accepts me to work for their company..

[alyssa]

A lot of stories I've heard seem to end with paras and quads becoming lawyerrs and teachers. Really, you can do almost anything.

Me? I'm taking an online course to get my travel agents certificate. I plan to open, or work at an agency and i will be specializing in, but not limited to accessible travel and holidays.

Edited by alyssa, 23 August 2007 - 04:38 PM.

[Jaret]

angel888, on Aug 22 2007, 05:25 AM, said:

Im just wondering what careers could paras and quads have? Im a para since birth but never got the chance to talk with other people in the same situation.. I'm just wondering.. I am studying for medical transcription..

Angel - I have been a para for 17 years and a teacher for 10. I just received my certification to become a school principal and hope to become a principal of a school soon.

[HCHC]

Hi!
I've worked as a "clocksmith" in a factory in Finland, where i asembled "wristcomputers". Right now im studying to be "Banchelor of prostethics and orthosis" dont know the exact name in english but hope you understood

Ps. sorry about my bad english

[jules]

Hi

You should be able to do pretty much whatever you want. I am a biomedical scientist, I have a BSc in Biomolecular Science and I've just finished my MSc in Cellular Pathology.

Jules
x

[azx43]

angel888, on Aug 23 2007, 02:43 AM, said:

Hi azx43!!. when did you start working for the U.S. forest service, before or after the injury? I do hope someone accepts me to work for their company..

OK, I'm really sorry, angel888! I didn't realize that you had sent me a message- I aplogize.
Anyway, to answer your questions; I just started with the Forest Service in June of this year, waaay after my injury. I have a bachelor's degree, and am qualified for the job; fortunately they see that and my physical abilities don't matter! I am sure you will not only be accepted to work, but welcomed for the unique perspective you can bring.

[bdmpastx]

I am an engineer for Honeywell. I design refining and chemical plant control systems. I can do just about anything for my job. Sometimes I have some cabinets that are tall and I cannot reach objects. So I ask a coworker to give me a hand. But almost any engineering career can be done by a person that is in a chair. It is almost all designed on PCs anyways. There are also a lot of supporting jobs to the company like administative roles. Those can all be done as well. Some people say that they can't work due to the pain they have but I have pretty constant pain and I manage. A lot of people have had injuries with only the spinal cord affected but I had much more damage. I was in the hospital 7 months and I returned to work 3 days out of the hospital. It was very hard at first and I did a lot of crying. But It got better and easier over time.

[woodman]

I want to find a good lawyer to help me ride the American's With Disabilities Act.

I am going to kick open the doors of the fashion industry to become the world's first plus-sized, disabled, male underwear model.

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[Andrew Meddings]

i drive a semi trailer delivering swimming pools & installing in the ground. any driving job where manual labour isnt required is possible. i carry a lot of oversize loads & my pilot vehicle is also a para.

[short1]

Hi everyone I'm sorry if I'm posting in the wrong area but I was wondering If anyone knew if their is a way for a T12/para to learn to drive semi's in the U.S.A. ??? and if so where???

Thankyou in advance for your help......

[mrandy]

Hi everyone...I'm new to this forum. I noticed that this topic was started more than 3 years ago so hopefully people are still around to respond. I am a paraplegic (L1-L2 injury) and I just got my B.A. in Political Science. I'm looking for work in the Oceanside, California area or anywhere in nearby cities. I drive so transportation is not an issue. On top of my university diploma I have 2 years of solid work experience...on top of being qualified for a wide range of jobs I can't find work anywhere. Having studied politics and following the news, I know that the economy is not doing well but the unemployment rate has been decreasing so I'm hopeful. Anyone know a good place to look for work? I got tired of surprised looks from people so I just made a note at the bottom of my resume that I am a paraplegic so potential employers are not surprised when I show up...unfortunately I think that's only making it worse for me because nobody even wants to give me a chance. I'm educated and I have a great work ethic...but I just feel lost right now. Any information or advice would be great.

Thanks,
Andy

[mahmutkaplan]

angel888, on 22 August 2007 - 10:25 AM, said:

Im just wondering what careers could paras and quads have? Im a para since birth but never got the chance to talk with other people in the same situation.. I'm just wondering.. I am studying for medical transcription..

Hi angle1888. I am para since 1994. I was graduated as a mechanical engineer (M.S.) in 2005. I am working in University now.

[stillgotswag]

This is a great topic...motivating. Too bad more quads didnt respond. Congrats to all of you who work, shows we can do what we put our minds to.
Currently I do alot of volunteer work with the juvenile probation dept. And once my health allows I plan to get a degree in social work.

[The Black Sheep]

I've been a computer technician for about 8 years now, and a game artist/3D modeler for about 2. I co-own a small computer repair shop with my husband, which we started almost 1 year ago, but I've been a tech for other places for a while.

A couple of months after I was paralyzed, my neurologist recommended I pursue a career in computers because I could do that just as well from a chair as anyone else. So I did. And I got kind of bored with it. I was a programmer for 2 years and moved into 3D graphics because I love art. That stuck, and I work for a small studio as a 3D modeler and concept artist part time. Most of my work is with hubby though, at our shop, where I'm mainly the book keeper and sales person, but I still do a lot of tech work when we get a lot of computers to fix.

I think most of the responses here are right, though. Be whatever you WANT. Recommendations from other people won't necessarily take you into a career you enjoy.

[Millard]

stillgotswag, on 10 August 2010 - 11:46 AM, said:

This is a great topic...motivating. Too bad more quads didnt respond. Congrats to all of you who work, shows we can do what we put our minds to.
Currently I do alot of volunteer work with the juvenile probation dept. And once my health allows I plan to get a degree in social work.

I am a Quad/Tetra.  I was injured in 1967 and began working in 1970 as a store manager.  When computers first came out I got into them. With my brothers help, I got into programming.  I still do this part time as I am tired of "hard" work.  In the past I would sometimes work 30 to 36 hours straight trying to meet a deadline. (I will not do that anymore!)  

I now mostly volunteer helping mostly older people get over their fear of computers.

Keep up the good work.

[HiltonP]

I function pretty much like a high level quad.

I started working in an insurance company preparing quotes and tenders. Moved into mainframe computer programming
(Cobol and Natural/Adabas, now that dates me!), then moved logically into data warehousing and management information
systems, and finally corporate strategic planning.

When I started I used a manual wheelchair in the office which limited my mobility. Later the company purchased me a
powerchair that really opened up opportunities for me. The ability to move rapidly around a 6-storey office complex
allowed me to take on responsibilities previously out of my reach. The business saw the purchase of the powerchair as
an investment, which it certainly was. Looking back, the period of greatest satisfaction was the mainframe programming.
It was extremely demanding, calling for 12-hour workdays which often went into the night. It placed a lot of pressure
on me physically, as well as issues such as transport, eating, etc but I loved it and looked forward to working each day.

During that period I had REAL skills, the kind businesses needed badly, and were prepared to pay well for. No wishy-washy
business knowledge, rather hard tangible technical knowledge required to run a billion $ company. Perhaps that is why I
enjoyed it so much, because I knew that they were not interested in the state of my body, but rather with what was inside
my head.

[ajl338]

I work at an outdoor centre teaching field studies and outdoor adventure activities like climbing, ropes and zipwire. It was really hard to get a job. I got turned down time and time again because people thought i couldnt do it so i ended up going back to uni to qualify as a teacher. After 82 job interviews i got my current job and i do as much as anyone else if not more.

ann

[Carolie]

I'm a quad. I have a BA in History and an MBA in Marketing.

I've been a Loan Officer, a Marketing Manager, a Senior Marketing Analyst, a Freelance Writer, a Receptionist, and a Legal Secretary since the accident.

I'm trying to get back into the workforce. Been interviewed for a Business Analyst and an Editor position.

As long as you can do the physical requirements of the work with or without accommodation, you're good.

I wouldn't recommend jobs that require being outdoors in extreme heat or cold for long periods of time, though.

Carolyn

[MrBump]

angel888, on 22 August 2007 - 10:25 AM, said:

Im just wondering what careers could paras and quads have? Im a para since birth but never got the chance to talk with other people in the same situation.. I'm just wondering.. I am studying for medical transcription..

medical transcription ?
If that means doctor, why not be a sci specialist ? You are already 80% there !
I would love to see a para/quad doctor who specialise in this area rather than someone who doesn't really know !

[4wheelz]

MrBump, on 12 August 2010 - 05:24 AM, said:

angel888, on 22 August 2007 - 10:25 AM, said:

Im just wondering what careers could paras and quads have? Im a para since birth but never got the chance to talk with other people in the same situation.. I'm just wondering.. I am studying for medical transcription..

medical transcription ?
If that means doctor, why not be a sci specialist ? You are already 80% there !
I would love to see a para/quad doctor who specialise in this area rather than someone who doesn't really know !

no, medical coder or more like a "decoder".. transcribing doctors' notes, billing, etc....

[hurbshankin]

I'm C-5, I taught Building Construction (carpentry, masonry, electrical, plumbing, etc). After 6 months in ICU and rehabs then another 6 months at home I was asked to return and revamp the Career Exploration program. For the past two years I've been developing and tweaking the program. I now introduce students to the fundamentals of Auto maintenance, Auto Body repair, Electrical, Electronics, Metal Fabrication, Computer Resources, Carpentry, Residential Maintenance, Graphic Design, and a few other directions that are being developed now.

It pays to be well rounded, well educated and highly motivated. I teach students to do all of these things, even with hands that don't work. There's more than one way to skin a cat.

Lesson: YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO!


Hurb

[Gator Access]

Your career options are those that don't involve a required physical activity that you cannot perform. Otherwise, the world is your oyster. I know a doc who is a para and works at the Veterans Administration SCI Center hospital in Tampa, FL. I'm a C5-7 quad since May 1956 and my first business was organizing and running a mutual fund, a securities dealer and investment adviser. My second business was organizing and running a cabinet manufacturing company. My advice is simply to fully prepare yourself. I have a BA degree in Business Administration but I am self taught in securities law, corporate law, contract law, disabilities law and architectural design.

Go for it.

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[mellowgator]

Gator Access, on 26 September 2010 - 07:05 PM, said:

Your career options are those that don't involve a required physical activity that you cannot perform. Otherwise, the world is your oyster. I know a doc who is a para and works at the Veterans Administration SCI Center hospital in Tampa, FL. I'm a C5-7 quad since May 1956 and my first business was organizing and running a mutual fund, a securities dealer and investment adviser. My second business was organizing and running a cabinet manufacturing company. My advice is simply to fully prepare yourself. I have a BA degree in Business Administration but I am self taught in securities law, corporate law, contract law, disabilities law and architectural design.

Go for it.

impressive resume. i also have a degree in buisness from usf. i majored in finance. go bulls.

Edited by mellowgator, 26 September 2010 - 11:24 PM.

[mohit_para]

hi.
i am t-12, i am a student of mechanical engineering, its my last year of graduation going on, i am learning mechanical designing softwares and want to be a industrial mechanical designer. i think all types of designing jobs are most suitable for person with sci..like software designing, jewelery ` designing, textile designing, circuit designing, fashion designing, automobile designing and many more..
and one more suitable field is financial management related jobs or information technology.