Jobless yet again :(

Vanessa, I'm so so sorry that you're going through this! I too have multiple autoimmune diseases. I'm currently holding down two jobs (one full time the other part time) but am thinking that I need to get rid of the part time job at least.

I'm a scientist at a major research university; I support a NASA mission (that's my full time job). This job has been ideal for me because my bosses and co-workers are wonderful people and they are trying to help me as much as possible.

I've been allowed to work from home most of the time lately. This works well unless I'm assigned a certain type of task that requires me to use special computers that are not accessible from the outside. Fortunately they've only been assigning me this type of task about once every 9 weeks or so. It takes me a few weeks of off-and-on work to finish the job, but I can still work from home more than half the time.

My part-time job is teaching math at a local community college. This semester I teach on Monday nights and Saturday mornings. Of course I have to be physically present to teach, LOL! I'm in a wheelchair now so I use an overhead projector.

When I got both of these jobs (11.5 years ago for the full-time job and 9 years ago for the part-time job) I was fairly healthy, or so I thought! I was just diagnosed with most of these illnesses in the past 18 months.

I may have to go on disability soon. I've been having embarrassing moments where I can't do simple arithmetic in my head anymore....it scares me. I've forgotten a couple of VERY important tasks recently at my main job. I'm getting closer and closer to the point where I may have to quit both of my jobs, if my brain fog gets worse.

There probably are jobs that are better for someone with our kinds of illnesses than the kind of brain-intensive, math-intensive jobs that I have!!

I do hope you find some type of job that will work out for you!!
(((hugs)))
JoAnn

Vanessa,

Have you tried working for a temp agency? You'd have more flexibility in turning down a job when you're in a bad flare. You can also ask for part-time temp jobs. You might not get the socialization you want with this kind of job, so perhaps something half-time could work. I'm out of the job market.

Perhaps if you tell us what kind of work you've done in the past, or what you love to do, we'd be in a better position to help you. You do need to avoid stress and standing for a long time.

Pat

I too am looking for a new job in the new year.  It simply isn't practical healthwise for me to do my job anymore.  I have worked as a cook for the past nine years..VERY physical and mentally stressful work.  I have cooked for groups in the military from as small as 15ppl up to 500 people per meal.  I have been a supervisor and helping to train people as well.  We lift heavy loads of food all the time, and it's so physically demanding.  Until a few years ago, my body was more than up to the task.  It has been a hard struggle for me to admit that I really shouldn't be doing this to myself anymore.  I spend most days coming home in pain, and just spending all my time away from work recooperating to go back to work..then after having pushed it from busy time at work to busy time I usually end up crashing in between groups that we feed...my body goes into flares..Not good.  I have had many of the medical professionals in my life tell me that I really shouldn't be doing this anymore..that I should be looking into something else.  I totally understand how hard it is to move on to a new job.  I am there right now. I am excited in one way to move onto something different that hopefully I can excel at, and yet not be constantly trying to live to work, and nothing else, ya know?  It's going to be a challenge to find something different though.  I have become VERY good at my job.  It's just my body that doesn't want me to do it anymore.  I will miss it.  I just wanted to letcha know that there are "others" (meaning me, and probably more people) out there that can empathize.  I wish you the best in finding something new. 

-Ellie