[Galaxy1012]

Have any of you forgone good job opportunity because of PCS? I am recently getting a few phone calls from HR departments of major listed corporate giants to appear for their interviews. I live in a big metro and it takes a lot of time to commute and at present I have severe head sensitivity to road bumps and I don't want to risk my health anymore.

It's heart crushing to let go of these opportunities and I feel so odd in this weird situation and seeing others jumping from one company to other and making most of the opportunities. Its so unfair to be stuck in this unexplainable and odd situation I feel frustrated that I can't even do a simple activity like just commute and go somewhere at least. I am denying that something major had happened with me and why can't I still go anywhere and be independent and support myself! I am sure I won't be able to commute for 5 hours daily in this situation and I will get panic attacks daily and those bumps will give me a good beating while commuting. Anyone in the same dilemma ?

[EsthersDoll]

I had to turn down a job (not just an interview) with a 20% increase in pay that was offered to me within the first week after the accident I was in over 4 years ago.

My career was an a steep incline at the time. I would be making even more now if I had been able to accept that offer.

It's a good thing I stuck with the employer I had/have though, because they have fought to keep me past the 12 weeks of FMLA as it turned out I wasn't able to work for over a year after the accident I was in. AND because of that I kept my health insurance throughout.

It makes me angry sometimes to consider would "would have been"... and the position was more prestigious than the one I hold now too.

But, I feel very loyal to the people who stuck it out with me.

And money doesn't buy happiness.

I recommend letting all the opportunities pass you by until you're better. There will be more opportunities in time when you can accept them.

[lyndianne]

That has been one of the most difficult parts of my "new" life. Financially independent special education teacher with Master degree turned poor unemployed putterer. Loved the work I did,

now trying to find new meaning in other pursuits. Luckily I am older and own my own home. I

kept working for two years after my multiple concussions before I gave up. It really is heart crushing, but I do believe my health is more important and I keep working at choosing to be

happy in spite of it all. Getting cool job offers I can't take though is tough :-(

[Hockey]

Aside from being how we pay the bills, work is just such a big part of our lives and sense of identity.

After I got hurt, the editor of a magazine, where I'd published previously, actually asked me to write a holiday themed story. They get hundreds on unsolicited manuscripts every month. OMG, nobodies like me don't get commissioned for work. I was crushed to have to decline.

[Mark in Idaho]

I was very successfully self-employed. I was working one week out of 6. I would commute to San Jose Calif from Idaho and work for a week or so. I made a good living doing this 8 times a year. I could make up to $300 per hour. Then, I needed my wife to start coming with me to drive me from customer to customer. I used to be able to drive, listen to the radio and look at a map at the same time. Now, she has to pull over and turn the A/C and radio off so I can try to read the map. Eventually, the job started causing her back trouble as she waited for me, usually in the truck.

It was a hard decision. My income dropped at least 80%. We used up all our savings while waiting for SSDI to get approved.

It has been tough but it is our life now. My wife had to find a job so we could make ends meet. Tough to do when you are over 50. Everybody wants youngsters with fresh computer skills. She had not worked since before we got married in 1980.

We keep trying to find ways to make some money but none have panned out.

It is the life we have and complaining does not help.

My best to you all.

[Mokey]

Yes....so tough. Have turned down so many opportunities and feel stuck.

But at least I have a job. Thank god for great human rights legislation in Canada which makes it hard for employers to dump disabled workers. They need to accommodate to the point of undue hardship, which means do what is necessary unless they can prove it will bankrupt them or cause them considerable harm.

I am trying to count my blessings and see progress. I am grateful for what I have, but since I love my work and love doing my best and growing and taking on challenges, it does hurt immensely to have it all go out the window.

I did a radio interview as an expert in my field today. I wanted to refuse as I feel I sound stupid and have trouble finding words and it was in not in my mother tongue! But I agreed....did it, and dis not make a complete fool of myself. That is my new standard of success...that I take a chance and do it.

Take care!!! New things will come along

[Hockey]

Originally Posted by Mokey

I did a radio interview as an expert in my field today. I wanted to refuse as I feel I sound stupid and have trouble finding words and it was in not in my mother tongue! But I agreed....did it, and dis not make a complete fool of myself. That is my new standard of success...that I take a chance and do it.

Take care!!! New things will come along

Oh, very well done. Under pressure - and in a second language. Congratulations.

Other than a few nouns and verbs, I lost my french with the accident. I'd lived abroad for years and had little opportunity to use it, so it wasn't one of my post TBI "hold skills." I'm trying to relearn it, but it's slow going.

[sciencetoy]

I'm on SSDI and not allowed to make any money. I could very easily be bringing in a nice amount, but any income gets deducted from SSDI, and I need all of that.

I lost the ability to understand and write computer code, but I didn't lose the ability to design code - as long as someone else actually writes the code, I'm fine.. I've done a lot of volunteer work and it's very satisfying.

[Mark in Idaho]

sciencetoy,

SSDI does not prevent you from making money. You can make $1070 per month without jeopardizing your SSDI benefits. $1070 can go a long way when one is only receiving SSDI payments.

[sciencetoy]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

sciencetoy,

SSDI does not prevent you from making money. You can make $1070 per month without jeopardizing your SSDI benefits. $1070 can go a long way when one is only receiving SSDI payments.

Nope not here in NJ. It varies by location. Maybe I should move. How's Idaho?