Careers friendly to the less-abled?

[Buffy1970]

I've been trying for months to find a career to train and educate for that is friendly toward those who have chronic illness.  I have strength/mobility problems with my hands and arms and fatigue is a problem.  Originally I wanted to train for radiology tech but don't have the strength anymore.  I have found no one who can tell me where to look at possible careers.  I want to be able to work through or around my illness.

I think something that can be done on a contract basis to allow for bad days would be a good idea.  I've thought about a BS in nutrition or speech therapist, but can't find an on-line school for either.  At this time I cannot get to a campus class reliably.

Any thoughts?  Thanks much.

[Buffy1970]

I live in South Carolina.  While I love my country quite completely at this point in time there is nothing to keep you viable unless things are very (almost completely) hopeless.  (Not the right words... .)  I can lose my job b/c I have brown eyes and there is nothing to be done.

I was a legal secretary.  Must type a min of 84 words per minute starting out... I can't even push the space bar repeatedly w/o problems.  You see the problem.  My ltd was denied b/c of poor communication from doctors.  I can't lift or type and have memory issues that may be getting worse (or more well known).  Even I can see where I would be a liability to my firm.

I need to work, though, and not just for the money.

These are great ideas.  Thanks all!!

[Mlkjmom]

My good friend is a quad, and has limited use of his L arm, but has some kind of technology degree and does tech support for a cable company. He can do this from home or at the office depending on his needs that day/week. I know his injury makes his situation severe, but if he found something, I bet you can too!

[summerluvr]

I work as a legal assistant / law clerk.  My work has a lawyer who is blind, and people with other limits like after a stroke, people back at work after cancer (like myself) and other situations.  The law in Ontario is your work has the duty to accommodate your disability to the point of undue hardship.  so instead of just focusing on a job you can work around your disability, you can also think about ways you could modify the job you want to do that will work for you!

[Buffy1970]

Yes.  I am ready to start school as soon as some of my issues calm down.  I've tried for career counseling and there seems to be a black hole for those with my problems/weaknesses.  However, I find it hard to believe that there is nothing to do while the mind is still viable.  I'm in the process of being approved for a voice activated computer program!  (Fingers crossed.)

Driving is out for now... any at home ideas?

[doublevision1]

If you like kids, you could look into being an on-call/contract worker in the child protection field.  Back in my days as a social worker we had a roster of people on contract who we would hire for court ordered supervised visitation of parents and their children in temporary foster care.  They picked up the kids and chauffeured them to the location of the visit, and quietly sat in the corner, usually reading a magazine and trying to be as inconspicuous as one can be under such circumstances.  If anything inappropriate was happening they needed to bring the visit to an end and remove the child, though this kind of situation seldom occurred.  Also these workers would drive children to therapy appts, etc. as needed.  This role did not require specific post-secondary training though a 2 year diploma in a related field would be useful.  We provided these workers training in non-violent crisis intervention, first aid, etc.

For other ideas, look online for career counsellors in your area; I'm sure you could find one either in private practice or at a post-secondary institution.  There are many distance ed programs available that could make it more feasible for you to understake college studies.

[beachcomber13]

Wow, fantastic idea, Sumana. When a teacher find a good sub, their number is passed around pretty quickly!

[Buffy1970]

Hadn't thought of that.  Good idea.
Thanks!

[Sumanadevii]

Why not teaching?  Then you can substitute on days when you feel well.  I have a friend who subs.  She takes days when she wants or turns them down when she wants to play.  Her phone rings daily.  

[Buffy1970]

crickets... really?  Is it that bad?