Finding an a (HMS friendly) job

[lancashire]

I asked a primary teacher how people manage needing to sit down (mixed sit and stand but not stand or sit continuously for me) and he mentioned older people and how they command the classroom from a chair, getting the children to help set up the room or collect required resources as part of a teamwork exercise. I work in FE but not teaching at rpesent. I think it depends on your subject as to how many hours you have to put in (e.g. do you mean evening class type adult ed which is losing funding by the minute, or do you mean post-16 education? .... is one to prepare materials or are most of them supplied by awarding body? / is it an art class = more standing? / how much marking?) the teachers where I work can vary how much they have to do depending on subject e.g. creativity and vision required to engage reluctant teens in literacy is different to delivering a relatively easy business admin syllabus.

[Spireite]

I am dabbling in teaching numeracy (maths) in adult education, so evening and they also do mornings, and my other job is afternoons. Don't ask me too many questions. I was shown some resources in a box on my first day. But for my first ever full lesson on Thursday (1.5 hours worth til they do their individiual learning - how scary is that?) I have to do it all myself, and find all my own resources, activities, homework etc. (So if anyone knows any good websites, please, please pm me so as not to go off topic.) Yes they have lost funding so cannot afford paid teaching assistants anymore. I do worry a little about the amount of paperwork the maths teachers lug around in a suitcase. I would need a strong man-servant in attendance! There seems to be a lot of preparation, which at least I can do at home.

[lancashire]

one of my colleagues is a teach assist and sometimes cover teacher - she uses a wheeled small suitcase thing to carry stuff around - this would also be excessive after a day for some though. online might work better as you suggest - will you have an electronic white board (EWB) - this kind of tech means perhaps only carry around a laptop (also heavy I know) or simply a USB with all stuff on, and use the VLE and EWB? I'd be interested to hear about your experience in how the extra non-classroom work affects you.

[Little_Miss_Whoops]

Being on my feet all day sounds good to me as I am uncomfortable sitting and require perfect ergonomic seating which is rare. I too am looking into teaching, but more adult education. I have two voluntary teaching assistant jobs at the moment, so would welcome any more comments about teaching with hms. (Sitting rigid in front of a computer for 7-12 hours a day day after day, definitely doesn't agree with me, cos of the sitting and cos of being static for so long and also for having to wear shoes. I wear trainers for teaching.)

I'm exactly the same with requiring the most perfectly custom made chair to fit my shape which probably does exist but would cost a small fortune i'm sure!

I was working in IT sitting at a computer for 8 hours a day which has made my chronic neck pain so much worse so I've had to give up that work and am trying to find a part-time job which mostly involves standing up. I'm not a small-talk chatty person and prefer doing behind the scenes work but I think this would be hard to find in a standing job....especially as I only have computer skills. I had thought about working as a library assistant but those jobs are impossible to get unless you have experience (i'm in Australia).

If anyone has any suggestions of work I could do, I would be most grateful! I just don't know what to do!

[Kattykins]

I have a small shopping trolley (not cool) with 3 wheels on each side (which is cool). Its specially designed to go up steps/curbs etc and is quite light. If you are able to pull things along that may help a bit.

[Nici Hope]

As far as being HMS friendly, as many other people have said, I'm not sure their is a perfect job, however with regards to teaching/teacher's assistant, it's not the worst career out there!

I'm a student teacher at the moment and after my third placement where my university 'forgot' to mention my EDS III , I've learnt to adapt to things, including teaching PE!
I know most people expect teachers to spend all day on their feet but I haven't had to do that! I sit whilst explaining activities to children on the carpet, and usually I set up a 'base' where children can come and ask me for help, if I'm having a bad legs day. If I need to move around, I walk around the classroom to check the childrens work rather than sitting with the children coming to me. Having my 'little helpers' is also a benefit, especially in PE as the children love being the ones to carry and set out equipment and even lead warm ups and some activties, which helps me a lot if I'm having a bad day. Little things like support bandages (which kids seem to love hearing about!) and having different size pens to interchange when writing on a board or marking work, help a lot! The advantage of being a teacher is that's it's your classroom and as long as you are providing the children with a good education and a safe, fun environment, you can set it up and teach how you want, making the classroom flexible to your needs!
The only thing I've found tiring is the paperwork and preparation for lessons as that requires a lot of sitting down but cups of tea and streching help with that
Although teaching can be tiring, it's also really fun and offers more options to move around or sit down when necessary, than other jobs do!

Sorry if that's a bit of a mouthful - I tend to write as though I'm actually talking!

Hope that's helpful to anyone considering teaching!

Nicole

[Spireite]

Thanks Nici Hope,

I've been offered 2.5 hours teaching adults a week, (hurray - best/only offer I've had for years) so we will see how that goes. I think I'll be doing all the paperwork (unpaid!!!) at home so I'll be able to do that as I please with lots of fidgeting. I just worry about lugging all the paperwork between home and work and lifting it into the car without putting my SI joints out! I shall certainly be using a memory stick as much as possible, but I do understand there's still a lot of paperwork, eg registers, to lug around. I haven't told them yet, that the day they have me down for a class is also the day I see my consultant periodically. What happens when I need to see my consultant? He doesn't do any other day and he is 50 miles away and I can't drive for it! I did tick the box to say I'm disabled, so they can't do me for anything to do with my disability I know.

All suggestions welcome.

Also how to find another 30 hours work a week to fit round this tiny job!

[Smileymyli]

Hi, hope everyone is doing ok?

Just wanted to tag onto this thread as I was made redundant 3 months ago and am beginning to feel under pressure by the job centre to find work suitable for me. Up until being diagnosed with HMS 5 years ago I did manual work which I'm no longer suited to. After going to the jobcentre I got help with pain management courses etc and started work as an employment advisor 3 years ago. In the last 18 months of the job I could work from home at times which really helped and had an understanding boss for a while. I still found it hard work and would be really tired at evenings and weekends but I found it more manageable. Now I've lost my job I don't find there is much help out there and was told today at one of my interviews that I HAVE to be prepared to travel upto 90 minutes a day on public transport if neccessary as I some times find driving too far hard work, specially when you don't feel 'with it'. I really want to work but I need something to suit. It's nice to do things at the moment and not feel constantly shattered as I can pace myself better. But I need a job!
My JSA only lasts 2 more months as I was only entitled to 6 months (even tho I've worked and paid in for most of the last 20 yrs!!). I don't have understanding GP's and have even given up seeing them now. I only ever get asked if I'm depressed or even unfit!! I walk as much as I can, this is everyday at the moment as I've not been under as much physical strain, so I don't hold out much hope for GP support and I don't want to go through the trauma of applying for benefits.

Just wondered therefore if anyone has any info of where we can get further support or advice on our entitlments or help with suitable jobs?

Take care you all
Thanks Suzanne

[Purplesheep]

The Jobcentre should have a Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) - ask to be referred to them, and they will discuss your restrictions with you, let you know about other support that is available, and make sure that interviewers don't force you to apply for jobs that you can't do!

I'm afraid that's all the advice I can think of for now, I will post again if I remember something else, but am so knackered tonight! It's so hard looking for a job at the moment, and even worse when you are disabled. It took me about year to find a suitable job, but it happened in the end. Don't give up, something will come along, hopefully soon!

[Spireite]

See the thread 'too sick for jobseekers allowance' (but not sick enough for ESA) which refered to me.

I've been jobseeking fiercely for 2 years of more but the rejections just keep flooding in and no-one will talk to me. Being old, female and disabled is a bad combination in a recession. I initially had problems with the JobCentre saying I had to agree to commute for 90 mins or else apply for ESA, which I wouldn't get. I was sent to the DEA as punishment it seemed. She was fine and my silly jobcentre agreement was for a commute of up to 30 mins. To my utmost shock 1.5 years later after all the fighting trying to get my commute up, the jobcentre further reduced me from a five day week to a four day week all on their own. Amazing.

So basically, if you get no joy for the so-called advisors, insist on seeing the DEA at least to get an achievable jobseekers agreement.

Other than that, I'm afraid I've had no help in the slightest with getting suitable work despite all the infuriating nonsense which comes out of politicians mouths to the contrary!

[Smileymyli]

Thank you both for this info.

I've actually been working with the Jobcentre for the last 3 years as they referred people to me for employment advice! And most of them are lovely and try to help when I go in. But I didn't get one of the lovely ones unfortunately. They've said I have to agree to the 90 mins or I would have had to have another appointment to redo my agreement and then for it to go to the decision makers. She's already messed up some training allowance I could have been entitled to cos she didn't sort it out quick enough so I ended up paying myself then she tried saying it wasn't her fault as I didn't see her when I 1st signed on, which I did and it was all evidenced on her system! So didn't really want to see her again til I have to. I also feel like she's pushing me all the time to sign for things I don't agree with like saying I have RSI when I keep telling her its HMS but of course they look at you blankly and get you to sign anyway! I do it just to get out the place usually before I blow a fuse. Wasn't sure if they still had DEAs (I saw them last time I was unemplyed) but she hasn't mentioned this at all, just said 'even people with health conditions need to agree to the travelling! I know what you're saying, of course it's hard enough getting a job without our problems and you don't know whether to own up when you apply or keep stum!! Seems you can't do right for doing wrong though.

I'll look into what you've said and let you know how it goes.

Thanks again and hugs to you all

[cassandra]

This is very interesting to me and to hear your experiences of HMS friendly careers. I have just left my job (really because I've been so sick for the past few years, I know now it is due to POTS and Ehlers-Danlos) and I am getting very worried about the future. At the moment I'm so unreliable because I get sick so often and even though employers are supposed to make reasonable adjustments to cater for this, my experience of this isn't all positive. I'm sure there are some people who do cater for us though. Perhaps we should have a good employer list!!!!

I am racking my brains to think of something I can do which will be long term and will pay enough to live on. I keep thinking about self-employed routes but of course, the flexibility of being your own boss is tempered by the time off. I know I'd need back-up in place.

I think Smileymyli is right, when seeing the DA, it all depends on who you have in the jobcentre. The lady I have seen in my local jobcentre always has her manager with her when she sees me!! Don't know what that's about!! She is a lovely lady but hasn't been particularly useful. I'm hoping that the disability employment specialists such as The Shaw Trust and Remploy might have schemes to help.

I hate being unreliable and being different in the workplace, it has caused me so much anguish in the past few years. I tried to be upfront and explain things first of all but it didn't help much. I'm so scared I'll end up homeless if I can't cover my bills so the challenge is on to find something. Let me know if you have any ideas!!

C

[Smileymyli]

Hi Cassandra

What kind of work have you been doing? I'd always had manual and shop jobs before my wrists got too bad. This was 5 years ago and I did get some help through JCP to go on courses such as condition management and employability skills. I don't think they do the cond management any more which is a shame but with the emp skills I ended up helping them out and got a job as an advisor. Although it was sometimes exhausting it suited a lot better as I wasn't doing physical work or having to travel too far (2 miles away). I've been doing this work for 3 years now but got made redundant last sept. I know the local Remploy closed down like my company when the government brought in the 'Work programme' which so far doesn't seem to work and it's put me and quite a few others out of a job!! I'm not sure about Shaw Trust. Think they all have a dabble in different contracts now so not sure if anyone is specialist in disabilities but I'll try and find out. What area are you in?

Certainly try to speak to a DEA or the CAB perhaps to see what's in your area. I know how you feel, it's so frustrating but you just don't know when a 'bad day' will sneak up on you and it's not nice having to explain when people just don't understand. Have you also seen the posts on 'too sick for JSA' this might be useful to you?

Good luck

[nataliejane81]

I think I must be in about the least HMS friendly job there is; I'm a healthcare assistant on a stroke unit! It's definitely had a huge impact on my deterioration & I'm undergoing OT investigations to see whether I need to be redeployed (which I seriously do but they want to be sure first as redeployment can be complicated) so I'm in limbo & despite over a month of "rest" I'm still very limited & the exhaustion is just as apparent... Unfortunately the job market isn't very helpful in all of this is it! I'm seeing musculoskeletal doc in June & my fab GP has signed me off for a month saying I just need to ask when it runs out & she will write one for another month as I can barely walk the kids to the park let alone move paraplegic stroke patients for 12 hours!

You learn to be patient with HMS don't you...!

[trekster]

Thinking of becoming a welfare advisor but unsure how to go about doing this or find
out if it's suitable for me? ironically im probably going to need to ask a welfare advisor
how to get a welfare advice job

Also wondering what other career options to do? Part of me wants to use a lot of my skills
and do various volunteering roles because when I get transferred over to ESA that should
count as 'work related activity' if that's the group I end up in.

im thinking a lot about my future lately because other stuff is being dealt with a bit
overloading a times but makes me think.