I was just fired and a complete mess!

[VioletButterfly]

I'm guessing here, but maybe your T is wanting you to feel "empowered." If so, then that's awesome. You know what your reality is and what you can/cannot manage, and it sounds like you have the awareness, will and desire to support yourself and to remain independent. A the same time, you noted a Plan B earlier in the thread and I had a thought: what if you look for and secure a job while also working on the disability paperwork/process? I'm not sure how involved this process is in FL, so have no way of knowing how demanding it would be. This could be the back-up plan you are seeking in case things don't work out with regard to a job and you need a financial bridge of sorts that also brings along insurance coverage. Just a thought I had. Even if you have to pay out-of-pocket for your T, at least your medical would be covered.

From what you've said, with all of the changes going on in your life, keeping your therapist is what you feel that you most need right now aside from financial support/housing. I'm not good with change and tend to seek at least one solid thing to hang onto in a storm. Maybe you can work from the vantage point of wanting to keep this therapeutic relationship intact to stay focused and motivated in securing financial support. You want to continue to work with him, so what do you need to do to ensure this? Find a job here and get yourself secured in your own apartment before your dad leaves? You know the drill... keep looking for jobs, start applying and go from there. Or, go the disability route and take it one day at a time. I don't know how your condition will progress, so cannot truly guide you in this regard. I respect your desire to stay self-sufficient though, so you decide what is best for today and maybe keep that in your back pocket if you don't want to go that route today.

Just some reflections for you to consider. You seem to be zeroing in on a plan as you move through the discussion above. You have self-awareness of your situation, your progress in recovery, your physical limitations and needs, and your skills and career direction. Don't forget about Plan B if you can mange it alongside of the job search and placement. Just a back-up plan to keep you secure. If it's too much of a hassle, then go full-on in the job search and place your energies there if you feel that is best.

Three notes: HealthFirst is a health insurance company and its tech support job sounds like it might be supporting providers navigating their system as most provider's are now paperless; Glassdoor.com is a job website that also provides company reviews - i.e. employees leave comments which drives a rating system (like Yelp) to help you gauge if the company is maybe a better fit than not. Oh, and, good luck with Spectrum. :tup:

 

[lostforgottensoul]

My pain Dr also said that since I have been working, the likelyhood of getting disabilty is nil. That if I was going to, I should of right after my accident. He also echoed what my therapist said, once I get on disabilty, the likelyhood of getting back out in the workforce is also nil. That then I will gain a lot of weight, being that I am less active, and make my situation worse. He always is for being as active as possible and he is correct, I wouldn't be as near active and pain is worse the less active you are. He also said I would likely make less.

Cobra. OH MY GOD! I did not realize they cover you from 5/1 and don't want a payment (of 60 days = $1,300 ish) for 45 DAYS! But still cover you. I thought they wanted payment before covering you.

I also thought my pain dr would take payments, cause he has before of self pay. However, due to it being a fully internal pain pump, that isn't the case. Filling the pain pump is an injection (medicine in liquid form in a big fat syringe), a pump filling (two different things though its one action. Apparently putting the needle through your skin before he pushes the meds in just HAS to be a seperate charge) and a pump "adjustment" (he doesn't adjust anything. All he does now is read what's in there, what the "drip rate" is and etc etc etc - a shitload of info and prints it out and gives it to me for any EMT or ER stuff), the 3 meds, and a office charge or whatever it is called that you sit in a room and talk to him, all seperate charges and being not oral meds, they can't take payments.

But, that said, my pump cannot go "dry" or empty. It would cause a buttload of problems. Would need surgery and all sorts of bad shit! They gave me 70% off due to being self pay. Thats normal. But due to that, they said if they take payments, it looks like a bribe or whatever. But due to it being hella expensive (thousands) he did it 70% off then cut in half. $300. Then Cobra will be due in 45 days = $1,300. Not much of the 401K will be left. Hopefully enough for a decent car.

Now gotta go apply for a shitload of jobs as I am going to he out of money soon. But wanted to say that yet another Dr 100% against disabilty. I need my Drs on my side to even consider it.

 

[joeylittle]

Ok. Then rule out disability, and work on expanding your job options. Commit to working through stressful situations. Get mobility aids if you need them. And set a daily target for job applications. Look at anything that could pay you a salary.

You can't be as selective about the kinds of jobs you can or cannot do, if you are not willing to pursue the avenues available to people with disabilities.

 

[Deanna]

I've been reading but I am so busy..right now. ( crazy busy) I'm capable of doing the extreme in working, but you were also target to get fired. ( ex-corporate here) When they moved your desk like that, it's time to put in your notice. Anyway OP , COBRA is way expensive and I remember in this thread ( somewhere) you were waiting to get it but, the magic question how does anyone pay for it, and have no job? So, I see where you have figured that out.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

the magic question how does anyone pay for it

Savings, 401K (that I am still waiting to get) and $400 a month rent from my dad. Without his rent, I have about $7,500. It won't last but its keeping me afloat. I wanted to save 3 grand for a car but sadly I won't be able to if I don't get a job soon. And even then likely not. I'll need a car without the abilty to get one. So, I need a job faster then first thought. I learned today that I will need to some how keep at least my pain Dr every month and Cobra is almost as much as he is. If not and I let the pain pump run dry there is a whole slew of horrid issues that would require a hospital and surgery. Most jobs (though not all) start insur 90 days. And normally up to a few weeks to a month for a training class. So I will need to keep it for at least 3 months after I start at a job and until I get insur. My dad does have a credit card I can use if I absolutely have to.

I always save. Always have an emergency fund. If I need to, I will put my cable and internet on suspend/vacay, for a bit. I have my phone. My parents will hate that but the lesser amount I am paying out, the longer it will last and alone its over $200 a month. And I can connect my phone to the livingroom tv for Netflix and Amazon video so its possible.

You can't be as selective about the kinds of jobs you can or cannot do, if you are not willing to pursue the avenues available to people with disabilities.

I don't know what you mean?

ETA: Wait, what jobs are for the disabled?

I cannot do any physical work at all. Even standing will not work out. Tried it and can't. Not that I don't want to. I physically cannot. I have caused more damage trying. I tried to stand in one place all day. Tried walking. Tried it all just about and it doesn't work. I am not a producer like the employers need and I damage myself even more.

I am also dyslexic so working with money is out (learned that early in) as is spread sheets, and really anything that requires numbers, letters, or words to be exact and placed on something. Its all no good if they are transposed. I can type (like notes on an account) obviously but even that takes longer then what most call center like as its take as many calls as fast as you can, each second counts, but most have been able to make it work with many well known apprevations. It is getting worse with age I am noticing. Also another one that I want to do but simply cannot.

I can do tellemarking as a last resort (many of those here and they hire ANYONE and usally quickly as they have SUPER high churn. More then any normal call center I have ever worked at) or any other sales but the stress has always caused me to self distruct. Not written completely off as a no way ever. It is preferred that I check off any other possibilty first before settling there. The last time I tried it was incoming selling vacations at Hilton Grand Vacations and I ended up almost postal. It was bad. I couldn't do it long. And incoming calls is WAY better then outgoing but still very bad. And I didn't have my own apartment at the time so the stress to make a certian amount is way higher now. I cannot even imagine it now. But still, will do it as a last resort and I will go in while still looking for a job. It is income but without a decent comission (all based on sales or no sales) it isn't much. I would be super suprised if they hired in at 8 an hour. Those are the good places. Most are min wage + comission and many even less as its plus commission so its just like being a waitress but much more stressful being its based off of sales and the person keeps whatever you sold them for a certian amount of time. So you think you have, say, 10 sales but they all start to drop it/cancel it etc.. Its horriblly stressful but again, I will do that if I have no other choice. I still have many other companies to apply to and will be applying in Orlando and finding the Sunrail + the bus system and when they run etc. Finding a route if my car breaks down. So with Orlando and all these surrounding areas, I am confident I wouldn't have to do sales. You also have temp agencies as well. I'm in bed now (have my therapist tomorrow) but tomorrow after him I will be going through the thread writing down and researching all the companies listed, all the sites listed, and start applying. @VioletButterfly, if you know of anymore, list them. Not that you have to of course but its trememdous help.

I will then update the thread with the list and what I applied for.

And, I cannot work two jobs like I used to. Its hard enough to work one. So massive limitations. Doesn't mean I can't find a job, of course I can. Its just that this stuff is real can'ts not I don't want to. I'm not trying to be difficult or make excuses or toss out ideas. I normally don't toss ideas. They all get mulled over in my head. Its just difficult for me now. Ideally I want a job where I can reinvest in a 401K or at least a savings and I am even looking at being a nomad. Not like an "I want to", or leaat not right now. But its possible and cheap to live and I am at least more prepared to survive living in (or rather out of) my car.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Ok, what I have so far (not gone to the sites yet).

And yes, my handwritting is horrid:

It took forever to go through the thread so may be missing some.

@VioletButterfly, (or anyone else) do you know any job finding sites besides Indeed and Simply Hired?

And Convergys are horrible to work for and their call center is NASTY! My sister worked from home for them but they won't hire me for work from home as they have a call center here. Last time I applied for them they denied me. Have no idea why. My resume is a dream for any call center. Its all I have ever done for 18 yrs. So I have no idea why any call center would deny me. Other then being fired for a conduct issue so I will need to make up a believable reason as they always ask.

I have also applied for Spectrum Customer Service in Maitland. I haven't applied for any others or their other call center as it took 2 hrs to fill out their application!

 

[joeylittle]

I cannot do any physical work at all. Even standing will not work out. Tried it and can't. Not that I don't want to. I physically cannot. I have caused more damage trying. I tried to stand in one place all day. Tried walking. Tried it all just about and it doesn't work. I am not a producer like the employers need and I damage myself even more.

So, you need to be in a wheelchair in order to do any work requiring mobility. Or, that's also not an option, meaning a huge chunk of jobs are not available to you. And that's a big reason why people apply for disability.

Have you given a wheelchair any consideration? Or have you considered that regardless of what your pain doctor says, if you are physically unable to do any work except for things you can do while sitting in a chair...that you are seriously limited, and it is worth your while to apply for disability?

Or, do you have room to improve physically, and that is why the doctor believes you are better off trying to stay in the workforce?

I am also dyslexic so working with money is out (learned that early in) as is spread sheets, and really anything that requires numbers, letters, or words to be exact and placed on something. Its all no good if they are transposed. I can type (like notes on an account) obviously but even that takes longer then what most call center like as its take as many calls as fast as you can, each second counts, but most have been able to make it work with many well known apprevations. It is getting worse with age I am noticing. Also another one that I want to do but simply cannot.

OK - so, moving is out, and also handling money, moving numbers around, and anything specific involving letters/text. This problem is worsening.

So lets be honest - what job can you do, besides work in a call center? Even that, sounds like the dyslexia issue might be too much for an employer to work with. You could work at home, so long as there wasn't a time requirement or a numerical requirement?

You are unable to pursue the vast majority of work that is available to you, at your educational level.

I don't know what you mean?

What I meant is: if you are not willing to pursue disability support, then you need to figure out how to expand the parameters around the jobs you are able to consider. A wheelchair might help somewhat, but you can't work a register. The only other way to expand your options, work-wise, is to add to your education.

Or, you are physically more capable than you think you are. If your doctor is telling you not to apply for disability, perhaps he has suggestions for how you can actually improve, or work with aids to accomplish more?

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Have you given a wheelchair any consideration? Or have you considered that regardless of what your pain doctor says, if you are physically unable to do any work except for things you can do while sitting in a chair...that you are seriously limited, and it is worth your while to apply for disability?

Or, do you have room to improve physically, and that is why the doctor believes you are better off trying to stay in the workforce?

No, he knows I won't get better. Scar tissue, that if removed comes right back, pressing on nerves. And perm nerve damage causing the femeral nuropathy. I don't need a wheelchair right now and sadly, I think the wheelchair is the same as disabilty, not quite there yet. Thats how I see it and its how all my Drs are seeing it. And they both cause more stagnate movement, which is the enemy of pain. So, speaking of just my pain Dr, he wants me moving as much as possible. Working equates moving around more then not working. He wants me to try to walk the pool again but do it slower (no pain in the pool, its after you are out).

So, though I will be there, its sort of like I'm not yet. I'm in that middle area.

Even that, sounds like the dyslexia issue might be too much for an employer to work with.

Nah, its not that bad. Its not uncommon in call centers and its not anything they need to work with. I maintain my stats. Always have. If its a huge deal, I tell the customers to give me a moment to notate the account and most do. So it really isnt as bad as it sounds but no, cannot work with money or spreadsheets.

what job can you do, besides work in a call center?

Actually, suprisingly a lot. But nothing documented. I can go back to building websites for extra money I guess.

The only other way to expand your options, work-wise, is to add to your education.

Right but unless I can find enough grants to not have to work, like soon, I will need to do that, as I have always thought of to do it and never could. Working in a dead beat call center (hopefully at Spectrum so I can get some free cable out of it) and try to get my certifications. If my dad holds up to what he said he will do, he will be paying for it this time (even after he moves) so I don't try to make 2 dimes out of 2 pennies trying to do it alone.

Or, you are physically more capable than you think you are. If your doctor is telling you not to apply for disability, perhaps he has suggestions for how you can actually improve, or work with aids to accomplish more?

No, my pain Dr didn't suggest anything. Other then he wants me moving as much as possible and not stagnate. Unfortantly, I know my limits, though, due to really being up against it.

I don't know. Maybe Metronics Infusion pump implant is a "fix all" to my pain Dr. But I get the feeling that I am not quite sick enough yet, in either direction.

 

[joeylittle]

I don't need a wheelchair right now and sadly, I think the wheelchair is the same as disabilty, not quite there yet.

But are there more jobs you could pursue, if you were using a chair?

Other then he wants me moving as much as possible and not stagnate

I understand that. But physical therapy and a job are two different things. I get that they can overlap - a job equals movement - but you also could be on disability and walk in the pool.

I just think you aren't clear about what your real options are, with your physical and mental health limitations. And part of that is you aren't being clear on what you can and cannot do. First, dyslexia is a major block. Then, it's just money and spreadsheets. Does that mean you can't work a register? Or can't do billing?

Anyway. My advice is - get realistic - watch yourself for exaggerating both problems and/or potential solutions.

To be honest, it blows my mind that you are as mobility challenged as you say, and have not applied for disability. But I've been harping - so that's the last I'll say on it.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

To be honest, it blows my mind that you are as mobility challenged as you say, and have not applied for disability

No I didn't. I fell 3 stories, forced to moved back to Florida and was out of work for 2 years trying to fix it. I mean, I don't know what else to say about it. My pain dr also said I should have filed then but was talked out of it and didnt. Now Im rather screwed. If I file, I only have enough to live on for maybe 3 months but then what? If I had a clear site to it I'd do it but I don't. All my Drs are against it. My back is against the wall. I didnt go to school. Can't help that now. Yes, 36 and little skills. Can't fix it. No one to lend me the money I need for certifications and not enough time to make sure I past the tests. A car on its last leg almost at 200,000 miles. I don't know what you want me to say JL. I don't. I'm job searching because it is what I CAN do. Right now.

 

[VioletButterfly]

From what has been written above, it sounds like you've made a decision - work, not disability. If that is the case, then I'd offer some advice as it was requested. I approach getting a job as a job in and of itself because it takes a lot of time and effort. I keep regular hours and take breaks just as I would if working for an organization. If possible, I've found it helpful to get out of my apartment and into a more formal setting - the library or even Panera (away from lunchtime). This is what I do: I go thru a list of websites every day and do a 24 hr search, both in and outside of my field as titles vary. Besides the big boards (Indeed, SimplyHired, Glassdoor, EmployFlorida, OrlandoJobs), I also go to employer sites as often they don't share their jobs with the big boards. I copy the URLs into a Word document with the company name noted above it so that I have all of my possible jobs in one place. Then, I take a break to run errands, do chores, whatever - get up and move about a little. Then, I go back and open up the jobs document again and get going on applications. When you are required to go to a company website and fill out a profile expect to spend around 2 hrs. It takes FOREVER and is a major pain, but it is how we move ahead. Also, if a salary expectation is required on the form, fill in 0.00. Don't give them a base from which to work. Or, if the company provides a space where you can type out a response, enter "negotiable, based upon total compensation package." You might also do general searches on which businesses are growing in this area - that could include going to the Seminole County/Orange County chambers of commerce websites, going to the CareerSource website, the Orlando Business Journal website, etc.... That is your work for the day. :)

Then focus on keeping up self-care and being compassionate with yourself. Get out into nature if you can and perhaps work with your dog. Be sure to keep up good nutritional habits as you'll need the energy. Be sure to drink enough water. Make sure you stretch and move as much as you can, as sitting in front of the computer for long periods of time takes a toll. Also, give your eyes a break. :wideeyed:

You might also consider setting aside at least a couple of days a week to go to CareerSource to get your face and name known. Rrecruiters will be on the look-out for jobs for you once they get to know you. It's about networking in this regard. You can aslso ask about assistance programs that might help you, to work on your resume, to work on interview techniques, to participate in training (yes, they have training there - some of which is free), to check into social services, to attend career fairs, etc... There are a lot of resources there to help you which are free to you and people who will offer support. I can't stress enough how much this might be helpful to someone in your shoes. The closest one to you is going to be on Airport Blvd in Seminole. Do a MapQuest to find the best route for you, but do get in there. The best resume helper is Michelle and she's usually there Mon-Thurs from 9:30 - 1:00. This is a very nice location and the people are very helpful. Plan on spending 1/2 of a day there just exploring what they can do for you. Maybe call first and set up an appointment?? This could also serve as your daily work space as they have a ton of computers for job searching and then working on resumes. You can do both in the same room.

That's about all I can offer; the rest is up to you. You have to make the effort(s), believing that sweat-equity will pay off for you. Also, don't wait to hear back on one application at a time. I've found that companies take some time to process applications. Throw applications at any job out there that sounds like a fit and maybe a few just becasue it's a good company. You never know. Agencies are also a good option. AppleOne and Ranstad seem to have a lot going on right now. Both offices are located in Altamonte. Best of luck to you my friend. Sending all kinds of good vibes and best wishes for success! VB

 

[VioletButterfly]

Just saw this at SAP, Lake Mary - Take a peek. If this isn't a good fit, remember that SAP is a tech company with a large call-in support team and might have other positions. I found this at Indeed, but you might want to go to the compay website.

Support Associate
SAP - Lake Mary, FL