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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Craig on March 25, 2000, at 1:37:05
I'm 44 years old. I haven't worked since 1988, when an extension of my medical leave was rejected and I was terminated from my position. I have been "mentally ill" all my life and even spent 13 months in a hospital during high school. The pattern of my life is that I do well for a relatively short period of time and then I get sick again. At the very least, this does not look good on a resume. I could use some advice on how to present myself at a job interview and how to summarize my short career. To my advantage, I don't "look sick" and I usually make a good first impression. The last time (a few years ago) I tried to complete a job application, it took me nearly two hours trying to finish it. The whole thing was a disaster and I had panic attacks for the next two weeks. Now I've improved enough to start thinking about finding a job.
I once had a doctor who, when I asked how do I explain myself to potential employers, looked at me incredulously and said, "You don't think we're going to tell the truth, do you? We're going to lie!" I don't want to lie, so I don't know what to do. Maybe I should just tell people I won the lottery and didn't have to work during most of my life. Or maybe say that I inherited a lot of money and haven't needed to work. Then there's the old standby I use when I meet someone new who wants to know where I work: I work for my family. The truth is I've lived with my parents since 1982. I'm totally out of the loop when it comes ordinary conversation with people my age. I've never had anything to say when co-workers talk about their personal life and what they did over the weekend. It definitely makes me seem odd.
Back to the point, has anyone else here had problems along this line? I'm depressed enough without getting depressed over finding a job. I could use any suggestions anyone might have.
Posted by M on March 25, 2000, at 12:04:07
In reply to It's 12 years later and now, posted by Craig on March 25, 2000, at 1:37:05
> I'm 44 years old. I haven't worked since 1988, when an extension of my medical leave was rejected and I was terminated from my position. I have been "mentally ill" all my life and even spent 13 months in a hospital during high school. The pattern of my life is that I do well for a relatively short period of time and then I get sick again. At the very least, this does not look good on a resume. I could use some advice on how to present myself at a job interview and how to summarize my short career. To my advantage, I don't "look sick" and I usually make a good first impression. The last time (a few years ago) I tried to complete a job application, it took me nearly two hours trying to finish it. The whole thing was a disaster and I had panic attacks for the next two weeks. Now I've improved enough to start thinking about finding a job.
>
> I once had a doctor who, when I asked how do I explain myself to potential employers, looked at me incredulously and said, "You don't think we're going to tell the truth, do you? We're going to lie!" I don't want to lie, so I don't know what to do. Maybe I should just tell people I won the lottery and didn't have to work during most of my life. Or maybe say that I inherited a lot of money and haven't needed to work. Then there's the old standby I use when I meet someone new who wants to know where I work: I work for my family. The truth is I've lived with my parents since 1982. I'm totally out of the loop when it comes ordinary conversation with people my age. I've never had anything to say when co-workers talk about their personal life and what they did over the weekend. It definitely makes me seem odd.
>
> Back to the point, has anyone else here had problems along this line? I'm depressed enough without getting depressed over finding a job. I could use any suggestions anyone might have.
Craig,I'm in a very similar position, have done lots and lots of research, and may have some suggestions for you.
Like you, I have not worked in many years as a result of a disability. From all outward appearances I, too, appear healthy and make a good impression even though the disability is, in fact, physical. Before I became ill, I had a solid administrative work history of many years (I'm a bit older than you are); however, now that I'm ready to return to the work force, that work history means little. I have combed the job market and sent out literally hundreds of resumes over the last several months. The net result has been exactly one phone call and one interview. Not very encouraging.
After so many years of unemployment, I have completely depleted my retirement funds and rely solely on disability benefits for support. As it is, I'm barely squeaking by and can no longer afford most of the prescription meds I should be taking. Now those benefits could well be discontinued soon, too. To say I'm a bit panicked at this point is an understatement. Predictably, a sense of hopelessness has set in and major depression seems to be taking over my life. Guess we all have our own shit to deal with.
'Nuff of that. Here's a few things I've learned along the way in my research efforts. Perhaps something here will help you out:
* You didn't say what your educational background is or where your interests lie, but you might want to consider going back to school. IT professionals, for example, are in demand. You don't necessarily need a computer science degree (although it helps.) There are lots of 2-year tech schools out there that offer internships and/or job placement at the completion of the program. They often have many other areas of study leading to internships and job placement as well.
* Temporary agencies such as Manpower or ARC offer training as well as employment. ARC, in fact, has a program called "Reach" offering computer training specifically for disabled. Having said that, I should tell you that I, personally, have not had any luck with temp agencies. Otoh, I do not live in a metropolitan area. As a result, opportunities and resources are limited.
* There's an organization called Information Technology Association of America www.itaa.org/workforce/programs/passiton.htm that has a pilot computer training program for disabled called Pass It On; however, it's only offered in a few cities.
* Contact your local Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. You have to meet their qualification standards (proven disability, for example) but they offer an array of services to assist you in getting back on your feet including evaluation, employment counseling, and tuition for school/training, if needed.
* Social Security Administration has a work incentive program that offers assistance and grants for entrepreneurial types who wish to start their own business.
* Government jobs are also another possibility. Special consideration is given to disabled individuals and veterans. Once again, I'm sure this is something that DVR could help you with, if you're interested.
With the above options the dilemma "to tell or not to tell" is no longer an issue. These agencies already know who you are and where you've been. After all, you're seeking their services prescisely BECAUSE you have a disability that has prevented you from working for a number of years.
I wish you the best of luck.
Posted by Noa on March 26, 2000, at 14:19:44
In reply to Re: It's 12 years later and now, posted by M on March 25, 2000, at 12:04:07
M gave a lot more info than I can. What I was going to say was, it sounds like you need a vocational counselor of some sort.
Posted by Craig on March 27, 2000, at 1:00:49
In reply to Re: It's 12 years later and now, posted by M on March 25, 2000, at 12:04:07
In one post, you've given me more information than I've ever gotten from anyone else. Thank you. I don't know the ropes about this stuff. I didn't apply for disability from the government. I didn't know until recently that I should have applied for unemployment all the times I was terminated from jobs due to medical leaves. Nobody ever told me, but then I never asked about it either. I've been living off my savings, which have lasted a long time because I live with my parents. I have Blue Cross through the state pharmacists association, which I belong to because I'm certified as a pharmacy technician. I've never worked in that field, but I passed the certification exam in 1985. That's another story I won't go into now. Suffice to say that I have virtually no recollection of taking the course. My parents pay the BCBS premium, which runs close to $4,000 a year. (Yes, I know I'm very fortunate.)
I've always worked in hospitals, mostly with medical records and partly with admissions. I used to be accredited as a record technician, but I wasn't able to keep up with the continuing education requirements so I lost my accreditation. Going back to school doesn't seem likely with my memory problems and difficulty concentrating. I think I'd do best relying on what I already know how to do. It would be ideal if I could work at home via my computer, yet I don't know if that's realistic. I guess I've become a little phobic about working around other people. The only conversations I'm good at anymore are ones like we're having here - talking anonymously on a bulletin board. I don't have any problem spilling my guts here as long as it's to somebody I will never meet. My latest fear about the "real world" is that people will develop a false impression that I've been in jail or something equally as bad because of my dismal work history.
Enough about me. You said that you can no longer afford most of the meds you should be taking. Maybe you already know this, but I learned on this board that drug companies have compassion programs to provide drugs for those in financial hardship. You would contact your doctor or the companies about that. A directory of different pharmaceutical company programs is at www.phrma.org/patients/index.html plus a couple of other sites are www.themedicineprogram.com/links.htm and www.needymeds.com/
I wish you well and hope future days are better for you.
This is the end of the thread.
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