Re: Being a Valuable Employee

[Guest guest]

Kay, fwiw, I've found that volunteer work (mine was in a bookstore) can be that

rich reward for many reasons. I can't work long enough each day to make it

worthwhile either, but I only have to volunteer a lot fewer hours, which I can

handle. In addition, there's no stress of being fired if your health goes bad.

What I also found was by volunteering I learned just how much I could handle on

a real job....which helped me make the final decision to stop trying, at least

for now. I'm about 53, and have not been able to work full time since '89...I

did enjoy some time working part time for a while, and was hoping to be able to

get back to it once my son was grown and those pressures were gone. Sometimes I

only volunteer a couple hours a week, but it's good to get out, feel human and

meet people, and I also got some exercise;o)

Susie

[Guest guest]

You are right Susie, volunteer work can be gratifying. However, I would like to

bring in more income than my disability payments.

Kay

[Guest guest]

Just a short note Kay.

I also feel that I still have something to add to the world in some way yet

am hesitant though at this point I don't have financial reasons per se for

not going back to work.

I don't know your prior profession, but is volunteering in some way to see

if you have the stamina or the skills to do your chosen work a realistic way

to see if you are ready to re enter the work place? Maybe that wouldn't

jeopardize your disability in any way.

Hope you are able to find a way to do some things that have been put on the

back burner for a while. Right now my hands are full with dealing with the

disease as well as my dad's estate problems and mother's care. Maybe later

for me...

[Guest guest]

Thanks, ,

I think volunteering for awhile would be a good idea. I was a Special Ed.

Teacher. A lot of cuts have been made here in Michigan in supportive services.

No Child Left Behind has resulted in a major dilemma because increasing demands

have been made on schools without adequate funding. The times are not great for

returning to teaching. I do think volunteer work would show that I still have

an interest in teaching and give me some involvement in schools. Perhaps it

could lead to a paid position. It probably is a good place to start.

Kay