I underwrote accounts for a credit card processing company. It was challenging work, I loved it, and it paid well. I had every intention of retiring with my company but I walked away to stay home with my kids. I planned to go back to work when my youngest started kindergarten. Five years later, I am 31 and my doctor has suggested disability for me. I don't know if I'll ever be able to work again and I am certain that work with so much responsibility will be out of the question. At this point, I feel I can hardly be a good mom. I'm not sure I can do anything on top of that.

I provided childcare in my home and I was homeschooling my preschoolers when I had a psychotic break. To me, that was the toughest work I had ever done. I think it was partly so difficult because of the inability to leave my house (almost ever). Being alone with little children without a break is quite challenging and I sometimes think it is what caused my breakdown (At the time, including my own, I had three who were 4 years old, a 2 year old, and a 1 year old). Don't sell yourself short!

I hope you are able to find work that is challenging for you and also does not exasperate your illness. It is hard to do! You did not fail because you had to walk away from your career. It is easy to fall into that thinking but it is false. You have an illness; you were sick and teaching was just too hard on your illness. It isn't you. I wish you well!