Hi,
What do you do for a job if you have Ataxia? I am thinking of going into Vocational Rehabilitation but need to make sure it is the right thing.
Laura
I couldnt get a job or even keep the one i had because of my speach (sounding drunk), my movements & my balance (seaming impared) & I wasnt able to keep the one I had because I was considerd a (fall risk) & (was unable to perform tasks)
I’ve been working a desk job in the printing industry going on 20 years now. It’s a smallish company, they are pretty understanding about my limitations
I would be thinking of longevity of your future career prospects. Does Vocational Rehab require you gain an additional qualification? How physical is the role? Is your Ataxia 'stable' and is it likely to remain so? Are the skills transferable? If your ataxia gets less manageable what could you do with the skill set you have gained?
In general, have you noticed if there seems to be a shortage of that job (eg is it advertised a lot)? And importantly, what does your heart, gut feeling, tell you?
I would have to get a MS in Vocational Rehab. Not sure if it is worthwhile to do that with the time I have left. My job is basically data entry and I hate it. Here are my choices: work and exercise or work, exercise, take classes over 10 years in which that time my arms will be useless or quit my job, do school full time and finish in 2 years and hopefully I am still functional at the end. I just don't know what to do. I have not saved enough. I need to make more money simply put. I don't know what to do.
Hi ,
you can be a secratary or give private leson to childrens . i used to teach at hight school most of the time i am sitting. you have to understand that living with ataxia that doesn't mean to be a retarted person . just don't do a jjob that put you on risk of falling
I work online, from home. I have a background in IT so taught myself what I needed to know and I'm making a go of it.
If you need or want to learn something new that you can do, there are lots of Universities and Colleges that teach courses online. You can do them from the comfort of your home. Many can be done on your own time (within a specific time frame),
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Hi Laura,
I work as an electronics engineer, mainly bench based. It's only a small firm of about 20 and is a family run business. I am quite lucky as I have been at the firm since the late 80's, so long before I was diagnosed back in 2007. I expained everything to my employers at the time and they are pretty good and understanding of the condition making allowances. I am a fair bit slower than I used to be and that can make it hard especially when you have deadlines to work to, we all know what stress and pressure can do to us as in exaserbating symptoms. But I just have a coffee, take a deep breath and calm down, this usually works. I do feel though I wouldn't be able to get a new job now, as my symptoms such a speech and walking are getting worse. But all the time I can do it and they'll have me I'll carry on!
Kind Regards,
Martin
It would be great if types of work that disabled persons could do were saved or given preference over non handicap person.It looks like a person who sits and watches monitors or any type non vigorous moving is in the wrong type job unless it takes other special knowledge to perform.
Agree.
Dear Laura, I'm a retired eight years ago from my job as a social worker (28 years). I continued to work for three years following my ataxia diagnosis, but had to retire due to my balance, dexterity, speech symptoms, etc., symptoms getting progressively worse. I had high expectations of myself, and could no longer meet them. I LOVED my job, and would not have retired so soon if my ataxia didn't intervene. I wish you nothing but the best in whatever you decide to do! ;o)
But what am I going to do??? I am already in a wheelchair as of 2010 and now arms/hands are going.
What I really need is to figure out what I can do long term. I cannot do hard math or science since that isn't really my thing so I just really need someone to tell me what to do with my life. I feel like it's too late to start over at 36.
Laura
I’m on disability because I had a job that required me to type, talk on the phone, go to meetings, meet with clients etc…pretty much the same skills you would need to do a vocational counselor or administrator. Ny hands don’t work well enough for me to type accurately and quickly enough, and other symptoms make it impossible to do the other things. I guess it depends how badly you are effected.
Right now, my hands are functional. I'm also deaf... I'm in a wheelchair now. Any advice?
Laura
I would suggest that you speak with an employment specialist (someone who places people in jobs at an employment agency) to see what might be a good fit for you and your abilities. Just a thought..., ;o)
Hi Izaine, I am certainly hearing your frustration. I am currently working with (not for) an organisation who assists people with limitations in life. One of their focuses is to help you identify meaning in your own life and making goals while understanding limitations.
I am trained as a counsellor and working through some stuff with them reminded me of the survey I took about eight years ago and it prompted me to take it again, you might enjoy taking it as it reminds you what strength you have and what your core values are. Knowing these types of things, as well as seeing someone as Rose has suggested, just well may open up a new pathway you haven't thought of yet. Here's the link if you choose to have a look and do the VIA Survey of Character Strengths Measures 24 Character Strengths
https://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/testcenter
There are quite a few other surveys on there too that may be of interest. Lucy
Lucy said:
Hi Izaine, I am certainly hearing your frustration. I am currently working with (not for) an organisation who assists people with limitations in life. One of their focuses is to help you identify meaning in your own life and making goals while understanding limitations.
I am trained as a counsellor and working through some stuff with them reminded me of the survey I took about eight years ago and it prompted me to take it again, you might enjoy taking it as it reminds you what strength you have and what your core values are. Knowing these types of things, as well as seeing someone as Rose has suggested, just well may open up a new pathway you haven't thought of yet. Here's the link if you choose to have a look and do the VIA Survey of Character Strengths Measures 24 Character Strengths
https://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/testcenter
There are quite a few other surveys on there too that may be of interest. Lucy
Yeah. But you sounded super depressed. Are you? I am. My ex gf its a mess and I dunno where I stand. I hurt bad physically. My gut hurts. My insides feel like I need to give birth. I wanna die cuz I wont live. Like this.
Yes I am depressed. I feel like what's the point??? I mean... What's the point of taking classes and improving yourself and trying to get a better job if people are just going to discriminate???