I have thought about getting a teaching certification, I thought teaching High school chemistry or math might be somethign I could do that fit a lot of those criteria. I already have a master's degree in engineering, so that makes it a pretty easy transition, adn i'd likely have an easy-ish time getting a job because it's math/science and because of the 10yrs industry experience. I also think I could probably work part time if i needed, as I know several techers in our district who do. It would be a pay cut even at full time, and I am not sure if my disability insurance would make up some of the difference or not. Of course, I have never taught before so maybe these are rose colored glasses, but I think you'd be able to control if you were sitting or standing, you'd be able to put notes together in whatever way was easiest for you, adn big kids don't require lifting You'd get warm summers off to concentrate on intensive rejuventative training/exercises or PT, I mean, I think it would be good.

I could also go back to my company and probably work in the lab doing some sort of hands on work, but once again, i haven't actually been IN the lab for about 4 years....so it would be a transition. Even with lab work, everything we do is pretty computer intensive, we are government contractor and a semiconductor foundry for chips that go into space...so there is LOADS of electronic paperwork to track EVERYTHING and MORE but if I was doing analysis or several tasks, i could probably break the computer work into small bits. Unfortuantely many of our lab jobs will require me to work full time again, and that might be a big problem. We do semiconductor analysis and crystal growth, a lot of which would probably work for me, if I can get my hands to remain steady enough to handle wafers

Counseling is the other career I keep coming back to-either for chronic pain patients or ADD patient (or both!) as I have so much of my own personal experience with health problems adn how they can affect a family. My daughter's therapist has a copy of the "level system" adn shares it with her other clients. It is a behavioral management system we designed for my daughter when she hit her wall in 7th grade (and was consequently dx'ed ADD). That would require at least one more masters degree though, and I am not sure if I could get through that or not. I think it would be harder for me than teacher credentialing.

I might also enjoy teaching yoga for people with limitations and disabilties or getting certified in Feldenkrais and teaching that. I thought about trying to convince my company to pay to train ME so I could hold classes for our employees. I doubt they's go for that, but who knows? I am pretty close with the health and safety dept, and I know all the ergo policy folks on a first name basis.

I liked the suggestion of adult night school like university of phoenix. Meet once a week then have the rest of the week to do all the HW at your own pace. That is a good way for a TOSSER to go to school, I think. Also to rememebr that if you go to school you can get accomodations for your disability like oral testing if neccessary or copies of notes or whatever.

In any case, I make the assmuption that I will have to take pain meds either way. Fortunately, On my baseline dose I am still pretty alert, nothing i have in my possession makes me so knocked out that I can't function. Plus, my current job is only 1 mile from my house and my hubby works at the same place...so, lots of backup coverage there if I DID need to knock myself out.

I was so bummed and feeling lousy for so much of Oct, but somehow November has brought me 11 days of feeling pretty good (It must have been victoria bringing me good vibes from Canada?) so that I can actually imagine getting back to work.

Maybe next week I won't be so cheery about it, but this is how i feel today.

love to you all,
Johanna

I didn't have surgery, but employment options run thru my mind once in awhile.

For me it would most likely be just a job and most likely
- part time
- close to home or easy highway access
- variety of movements and self paced

Or self employed / freelance type of work

Things I could do-

get serious about producing more arts & crafts
be a gal Friday in a small /casual office
run errands for or drive elderly or disabled to appts.
be a handy gal - instead of handyman
teach basic personal computer use -one on one & /or do in home pc repair
home organizing service
bake breads or rolls for a local cafe
cook casseroles/easy meals for shut ins
pet sit/vacation pet care

making a list is a good thing

Thanx for chiming in guys...I am going to start a thread about possible career choices...hopefully we all can chime in and get a list going.

Johanna...I too have thought about teaching. I taught college courses for a bit over the past few years and that may be an option. There was a course I was going to look into on that.

I really want to be involved with people. I miss interacting with people every day (I did software support) and just the constant learning. I feel sort of "lost" these days, I need something to keep me busy but just busy enough that I am not ending up in a flare.

Hopefully after I meet with the doc next week I will have a better idea of where I stand on the employment front. It's frustrating losing part of your life to pain

I do understand the frustration but mine is alittle different. We own our own business and I feel pressure to ge back. I know alot of you are mothers, or fathers, which take up alot of time. Add in the pain, doctor's appointments and stress and it is hard to fit everything in. My husband if VERY helpful but doesn't always get why I am not in the office from 9-5. It just isn't possible.

I am REALLY intersted in Photography and hope some day that will be my career. Right now I need to concenrate to family business. Good luck guys!

Linda

Biofeedback practitioner would be a possibility. And something like counseling that would help people like ourselves. I don't think I could become a counselor as I don't think my TOS... would allow what's needed education and training wise. In Voc Rehab they make sure that you can tolerate the schooling needed as well as what's needed in the career.

I was told to stay away from teaching as you have to be on when the students are present; no waking up and saying I feel flared today, I think I'll stay home. But Jokat's notion of teaching a weekly class for something like Pheonix seems promising. And connecting oline during the week w/students seems maybe possible w/Dragon.

Another career that was popular in the past was training people using Voice Activated software.