Ability to work

I'm just wondering how many of you are unable to work due to your condition?

Basically what's going on with me is that in August of 2007 I finished college with an Associates Degree and I started trying to look for work. I was having a hard time finding anything because of that whole deal how no one wants to hire you if you don't have experience. I signed up with 7 different employment agencies and no one was able to find me anything so I just kept looking on my own.

Then the stuff with the fibro started setting in around the beginning of the year and since I felt sick all the time I began to look for part time work instead of full time. There was even less work available for part time jobs and as my condition worsened I kind of stopped looking altogether.

I know that my mother isn't going to be able to support me forever, so recently I contacted a local agency that specializes in helping people with disabilities find work. They sent me an application which I'm currently in the process of filling out. I really hope they can do something for me but I'm afraid that I might be too much of a challenge for them since my fibromyagia effects my physical and mental health as well as my cognitive abilities. I don't know if they'd be able to find any employers that would be willing to work with someone that has so many problems, unless they have stuff I can do from home.

I'm scared that this organization is going to end up being like all the employment agencies that couldn't find work for me and I'll have to apply for social security which will never be enough to live off of.

Well even if I got approved for social security disability it actually wouldn't do me much good. It's a bit complicated, but I'll try to explain the situation. My parents have been separated for a long time, since I was in my mid teens(I'm 24 now). Now he's on disability for mental health reasons so all child support was being automatically deducted from his social security and being sent to my mother. Since I've still got one sibling under 18, that money is still being sent to my mother.

Now when you apply for social security disability they decide how much to give you by how much you earned during your work history. Now I've never really been in the workforce yet as you have probably gathered by previous post. So the only way I'd be eligible for social security disability is if I could show that my problems started before the age of 18, in which case how much I got would be based on my parents income during their work history. Now I'm not sure if I could really say that for the fibro, but I've got other problems that did start before age 18 such as back problems and anxiety. Anyway if I filed for it under children's disabilities and I got approved, from the way I understand it, the money that is currently being sent to my mother as child support for my sister would just get split between the two of us and I would ended up having to give all of that money back to my mother anyway because she needs it to help make ends meet. So there really wouldn't be anything left for me to buy gas and clothes or pay medical bills with.

Also the whole process of applying for social security is very difficult and complicated, and just thinking about it is very overwhelming. I really don't know who I could turn to that could help me to better my chances of actually getting approved.

A far as getting the fibro under control, I know that's going to be very difficult and will probably take a long time. I've only been recently diagnosed so I've only had the opportunity to try one medication so far which didn't help at all. I know that I need to give it more time and try more meds, but the fact is that from my personal experience, I don't tolerate medication very well. I've been on tons of meds during my life for various things and with almost all of them, they either don't work, or I get intolerable side effects. I just know that I really can't consider taking anything that makes me sleepy. I'm so tired and out of it most of the time already that if I take anything that causes drowsyness, then there is no way I would be able to drive and since public transportation is almost non existent where I live, it would make getting to any job impossible. Another reason I shouldn't take any drowsy causing meds is that when I'm feeling tired and worn out, the pain often gets worse, so that would probably cancel out any benefit the meds would have. The one thing that would probably help me is an herbal supplement called ginger root extract. I've taken it for migraines and I've also tried it for bad sciatica and other severe fibro pain and it helped when the ibuprofen and tylenol did nothing. The problem with the ginger is that I wouldn't be able to afford to take it everyday, it's kind of expensive and it requires high doses so I really try to ration it and only take it when the pain is very severe.

Anyway sorry for going on so long, I guess all I can really do is finish filling out those forms and hope that the organization that I mentioned can help me find work that I can handle.

Hi Kythe - Some companies in your area might be known for hiring persons with disabilities. I had to retire early from teaching because of my back surgery and then was diagnosed with fibro. See if someone might hire you part time since the economy is so slow. That might lead into a full time job. Remember you do NOT have to reveal your fibro to a company. That might come later. Also, if someone refuses to hire you due to your disability, you have the right to report them to the federal government.

Best Wishes and keep on looking. Sometimes something will appear when you aren't looking. I will put you on my prayer list.

Sunny Dottie

Well I did look on that Puritan site you mentioned Sherrine. At first I thought that the supplements were out of my price range but then it said something about buying 1 and getting 2 free. So it looks like you would get 3 bottles for the price mentioned which is a bit more manageable I suppose. Do you know if that's something they always do on that site, or if it's just a temporary sale?

Anyway it does look like something I'd be interested in trying. I'm always more open to natural remedies than prescription drugs. I'll just read up on it more and perhaps stop in at my local natural pharmacy to see if they have any products like that and how the price compares.

Have you considered Medical Transcription?  I'm currently taking a course and hope to find p/t work as an independent contractor IF my stiffness isn't too bad.

I can sure understand where you're coming from.

  I have been following the forum at the course I've been taking from Career Step.  Many graduates have stated there are quite a lot of opportunities available from reputable companies. The thing I like is that I could work from home for a company anywhere.  I won't be able to work more than a few hours to start, and possibly not more than that later.  Some companies allow you to have 24 hours to get the work back to them, so you can take breaks when needed, and I know my poor body needs breaks or I stiffen like a board! Re: school cost, I believe Career Step has payment plans, and you can apply for a scholarship, I believe, also. Sorry I don't recall the specifics, or how much you would save.

So-- maybe something to consider even in the future.  Just a thought if you'll still be looking for options then. Best of luck and prayers for your success!