Has anyone gone back to work after their diagnosis?

leomama · Dec 12, 2015, 12:22 AM

I'm finding just trying to focus enough to work on my resume after a gap in my employment history is hard enough. I also find whenever I'm in a classroom or group situation I get distracted by outside conversations . I really feel like a different person .

ChipperMonkey · Dec 12, 2015, 12:50 AM

Are you on disability or did you just take time off of work?

shezbut · Dec 12, 2015, 01:02 AM

I slowly eased myself back into work after a few years.

I started by volunteering at a local community organization, helping elderly people.

From there, I also went to a company that specializes in hiring disabled people. I worked in 3 different companies, different types of jobs for a few hours/twice. Then, they reported on my abilities, and what they felt was best for me. It was interesting. I found that I enjoy working with the elderly. I feel more comfortable with them, than my peers or with children.

An Employment Specialist soon met with me and helped me apply for a variety of jobs, she also helped me prepare for interviews, etc. Within a few months, I got a job at a nursing home, as a feeding assistant. It went well for me.

Why I get along with elders so well is a bit confounding to me. Especially since I had such negative relationships with almost all of my elders as I was growing up. But, I helped care for 5/6 of them when they reached their 70's. We developed different relationships then.

I think it's that, as a person with disabilities of my own, I have a hard time relating to "normal" people. I don't share my experiences with the elderly, but I do understand where they're coming from. We sort of develop a bond ~ and that's special.

That's my personal experience. But, yeah, I still have PTSD as well. I'm just getting by, working PT and getting SSDI. That's the best that I can do... and that's okay.

leomama · 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChipperMonkey

Are you on disability or did you just take time off of work?

It is a disability, in fact it was an employment counselor that recommend I be evaluated. I thought I just had a learning disability but I found out that was just the tip of the iceberg.

leomama · Dec 12, 2015, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shezbut

I slowly eased myself back into work after a few years.

I started by volunteering at a local community organization, helping elderly people.

From there, I also went to a company that specializes in hiring disabled people. I worked in 3 different companies, different types of jobs for a few hours/twice. Then, they reported on my abilities, and what they felt was best for me. It was interesting. I found that I enjoy working with the elderly. I feel more comfortable with them, than my peers or with children.

An Employment Specialist soon met with me and helped me apply for a variety of jobs, she also helped me prepare for interviews, etc. Within a few months, I got a job at a nursing home, as a feeding assistant. It went well for me.

Why I get along with elders so well is a bit confounding to me. Especially since I had such negative relationships with almost all of my elders as I was growing up. But, I helped care for 5/6 of them when they reached their 70's. We developed different relationships then.

I think it's that, as a person with disabilities of my own, I have a hard time relating to "normal" people. I don't share my experiences with the elderly, but I do understand where they're coming from. We sort of develop a bond ~ and that's special.

That's my personal experience. But, yeah, I still have PTSD as well. I'm just getting by, working PT and getting SSDI. That's the best that I can do... and that's okay.

Thank you for that. When I first got diagnosed I tried to go back to work right away but that didn't work out. I feel like I'm ready now. I'm a bit taken aback by how seriously my PTSD has affected me. I used to be able to focus without a problem. There is a job agency in my county that helps people with mental health disabilities and I'm going to go their orientation next week. I was trying to see if I could do this on my own but I'm finding that I may need some extra help.