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Posted 12/12/2015 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
I've been in a flare for over 2 years. I was laid off in September and now I can't find another job. I am reluctant to apply to anything more than a few miles from where I live but even then I don't know how I could possibly go to a 9 to 5 job, I am sick all morning sometimes right into the afternoon.

I am a web designer/developer and graphic designer. I don't know how people get jobs where they can work at home. At the job I had it took months of me being out to convince them to let me work from home. Even then I was only able to work roughly half days. Its ridiculous, the kind of work that I do can easily be done remotely. I don't know why every job listing I see is insistent that work be done on site. So many people I know work remotely, even a doctor I know (figure that one out! Doesn't he have to see patients?). Is there some secret way to get a job where you can work from home?

Not sure what to do. I have a kid, a mortgage etc. Pretty much coming to the end of my rope...
Posted 12/12/2015 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
How about freelancing at upwork.com? It takes a while to get established but if you are successful at it then you can work from home on your own schedule, or at least your UC's schedule.
Posted 12/12/2015 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, I had somehow never heard of upwork.com. I will look into it.
Posted 12/12/2015 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
It's the new site from the merger of Odesk.com and elance.com . It's probably the largest freelance site on the Internet for Web and graphic designers.

You could try the 99designs type of sites but those seem like rat races.
Posted 12/12/2015 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I'd looked at those "contest" sites and decided it was a bad idea.
Posted 12/12/2015 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
Have you thought about self-employment? Start your own business while looking a regular job.
I was a self-employed photographer for 24 years, now retired.
Not easy to get started during a bad economy 1980 but I never regretted it because when you have 50 to 100 customers you can never be fired like you can when you have one boss. Yes one or 2 can fire you but not all of them.

Every small business needs a website they just don't know where to get personal service.
Of course you have to buy your own insurance, etc. but you can work from home and save money that way.

This will not be an overnight success kind of job but UC is for life so planning for a job that fits your health could be the answer in the long run.
Sorry I don't have any short-term solution for you but wish you good luck. It's tough having a family to support when you have a disease like UC.

What city are you in? I also do graphic design and thought that it would be possible to work weekends at flea-markets offering signs and banners for fast money. I've designed large banners and printed them using ebay printers that beat Office Depot's prices by 50%. Just an idea.
Posted 12/12/2015 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
How do you guys get by without a job? And what do you do in retirement? Lots of savings?
Posted 12/12/2015 4:15 AM (GMT 0)
Yes we saved like mad during our productive years. Did not have children, my career took all my time and was what I wanted to do above all else. Owned some investment real estate and sold it before it crashed.
Live modestly now in retirement in small town in Florida, cook at home 90% instead of eating out. Health insurance is my biggest expense but 4 more years and hit Medicare age! Gardening, pickle ball and painting are my hobbies, they are exercise for body and mind.

Working with UC was very hard while flaring. I could do it now that I'm in remission but had to make big adjustments back when things were at their worst.
Posted 12/12/2015 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
Use a recruiter.
Posted 12/12/2015 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
I will be 56 in may and I just want to hold out at least three more years and I dreAm of retirement. Gonna sell my exp california condo and move out of state! Just hope my health holds!
Posted 12/12/2015 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
I have no idea. I'm trying to answer that question myself! I've applied at a quite a few jobs and don't get them. I live with my parents thankfully but would like to be independent someday. I had to apply for disability this year so I will see if I get that. I seriously doubt I will but maybe I will be pitied.
Posted 12/13/2015 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
I've often wondered about "how do I get a remote job" as well. From my experience, you have to work their a while before it's offered and even then it's only reluctantly. Some software tech companies are more liberal minded than others, and getting approval is easier. They all have the means of allowing work from home, but are full of excuses why you can't lol.

I'm at a pretty liberal minded software company now, a number of people live in states far away from the office. I gotta ask if I can be fully remote, myself. As my DW's a biologist who'd like a better job and she's easily able to work in the middle of nowhere. I, on the other hand, need to live near a major tech hub...
Posted 12/13/2015 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Astromech - I used to work as an art director and hired many graphic designers and web developers. I can tell you from the other side that no one wants to hire someone whose first question when they step in the door is - so when I can leave and work from home? But on the positive side, I never felt it took long for someone to prove that they were going to get their work done from home just as easily as they would in the office. (less than a month?) I would FIRST concentrate on finding a job and then tackle the working at home. Most companies are very open to it once you prove that you are being productive.

I now work as an author/illustrator and I can relate to how much of a struggle balancing work and this disease can be. I am 1.5 years behind on two book deadlines and my agent has told me that I am starting to get a "reputation" with editors. Debts have mounted in the last few years due to this disease. No books...no royalties.

As you probably already know, there are many companies looking for contractors and that may hold you over. Recruiters are best at finding those type of jobs.

btw, stay away from those freelance sites. You will never make any money doing that.
Posted 12/13/2015 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
I'm in a similar situation. I haven't been laid off, but my university is cutting benefits, laying off others left and right, and piling on additional job duties with no salary increases, so I'm looking.

Like you, my job could easily be done remotely (or with maybe one day a week in the office), but every listing I've applied for is on-site. I apply for those jobs, but I'm up front about ADA accommodations and am willing to negotiate on salary, including taking a pay cut to be able to work from home. Currently, my ADA paperwork says I can come in late-any time up to 10 am-then work late to make up the time. Without that, I'd have a very hard time getting to work during my own 2 year flare that's worst in the morning, so that's a must-have at any future job. On the side, I complete contract work designing online courses and teaching hybrid and online courses to supplement my income.

I've received two offers so far, despite the fact that those employers are aware of my UC and the accommodations that come with it. Neither has been attractive enough to leave my current job.
It sucks and I feel for you. Our options and earning potential are limited by our UC. But in my experience, the more flexible you're willing to be, the more flexible an employer will be.
Posted 12/14/2015 3:51 PM (GMT 0)

ElpisUnbreakable said...

btw, stay away from those freelance sites. You will never make any money doing that.

Maybe it's not a long-term solution but I think it could have some benefits especially if you're not currently working and are living off saving. Besides the income you could be building an in-production portfolio, refining skills, working on projects that you normally wouldn't work on (good and bad) and building reviews and a possible customer base.
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