i survived the first week , went good , getting along with everyone , feels real good to be working again , and having good money coming in ,with a bunch of benefits , all the ideas for my van are coming back , thanks for all the comments and good luck to everyone else out of work .

i just have to wait 2 more weeks before the first paycheck lol

Can anyone explain to me how to go back to work after 12 years on disability? I hate being at home everyday and I am willing to go back to school but I don't know what I would be good at. Any suggestions Voc Rehab here isn't much help since I am in a power chair.

The sad aspect to this, is what you gain will not cover what you lose, insurance being the major hurdle, it's best to work under the table. I have discussed this with a friend, also in a wheelchair, he works for a medical supply company, and he watches as budget cuts go into effect, wheelchair users are dropped from the insurance plans, no longer able to get their supplies. I feel like a deadbeat living off of the system, but realize, the job required that would offer the insurance I need, and pay me enough to survive, it's not available to wheelchair users right now.

i just joined the unemployed club. was working for a temp agency (many do here in sc). last october was working at a lumber yard. helping a truck driver unload a door window unit that was too large for him to move by himself. went to get out of the back of the 18 wheeler. squatted down and jumped landed then landed again on my rear. saw the dr that day after work. "come back in two weeks". over and over that was said for two and a half months. wanted to start me on physical therapy. told her something was seriously wrong with my knee. sent me for mri by specialist. impact fracture, fractures running down the tibia, partially torn acl, possible torn meniscus. told to be on crutches for a month. took them a week to get me crutches, followed by a month of physical therapy. got another job after this through the temp agency.lasted nine days due to the amount of pain had to give it up.was lifting 110 pounds to just shy of 350 with one person helping me. now with a permanent restriction of lifting fifty pounds only. i cant believe this. i worked for two and a half months at a lumber yard with a broken leg and then go through this. have not heard from temp agency about a physically limited job. workman comp is a joke. its like being a second rate citizen. the subject of a one time payment due to the injury was said. my question is when. thank god i am retired military so i am not hurting money wise. my wife has a very good job. forgot to say that on my second job i was told i work too fast by fellow employees and that i need to make sure i take all of my breaks when given. i always give 100 percent. was told to only give 80 percent at the most. so here i am a member of a club that i dont really want to belong to.

Looks like any handicapped person is SOL when it comes to work. Thanks Guys.

Hello, Vanners! Been a while since I've been on here. For those who don't know, I left this Club a year ago Aug 2. Between my unwillingness to "Jinx" myself (talking about job) and a god-awful slow computer, I stopped posting here. I am now employed by SEPTA (South Eastern PennsylVANia Transit Authority) as a 1st Class Welder in the Building & Bridges Dept. I started and worked 11 months in the Track Dept. as a Rail Maintainer (Welder). The money is good and benefits real good and will be better at the 15 month mark. And it's in the same Union (TWU 234)that my grandfather was in 50 years ago!
For those of you still out of work, I feel your pain. But do not EVER give up hope!! I remember a post way back in this thread that advised "expanding your horizons" as far as a job search goes. Please keep this idea in mind. With this new job I drive an average of 50 miles ONE WAY to my job. Some would say I'm crazy but we feel it's worth it since we really like where we live. Keep your chin up, there are jobs out there, they just might not be in your backyard. Good Luck!!

Just started 2nd extension........B a year mid Dec....

Good to hear Buddy! Congrats!

Indeed a sad fact.

They usually are the first to eliminate in this economy. When people are hurting for jobs, the employers can cherry-pick prospects. No one wants to hire a cripple, downie, or a deafie. While I am hearing impaired, I am young still, and can do back-breaking labor all day without complaining. How can I, anyhow? But nobody will hire me because they can't talk to me.

I used to be able to get by when the economy was flourishing, but no longer. I refuse to take handouts.

Only if they give up, then they are SOL....Lots of jobs for all people, just have to be positive, creative and but most of all, never defeat yourself....