Im curious how does one navigate the world of employers work and commuting? I don't drive very much at all. LA traffic with its constant swirling of cars makes it too difficult to safely drive, at least for me. Ive had friends and family tell me to file for disability, but honestly just don't want to do it, the years of paper work only to get constantly denied. I've only been diagnosed with this disease only 6 months, but have had it full time for a year now. I have found new purposes in my life, and am working on other skills, but having no money and watching your wife do all the hard work supporting the family, is tough. Any advice or solutions that have worked for others?
Hallo Hickspanic, when my severe trouble began, I could hardly work.In Germany that doesn't mean, you don't have any money. Our social security system is quite good.) For one and a half year I was ill and desperate. And very lonely. At first I was told I could never work again. But I could, after a lot of physiotherapy, stablizing my balance. Found out what works and what doesn't and going to work again was a victory for me. I had to reduce the time to six and a half hours. I got a 50 percent diability Card which means I can sit in the public traffic and get five days extra vacation. Also better protected against job loss. What I'm trying to say is, give yourself time and try to find out for you what works. Can you get some professional counseling? That also helped me finding my way. Wishing you all the best, Lilja
Applying for disability to sign up for the employment exchange for the disabled is important. Also, I don't know about your country, but here the disabled have tax exemptions and other social and economic aid. Searching for telecommuting can also be an option.
The United States is HORRIBLE with its social security. As a matter of practice they deny everybody who files a first claim, then the appeals, judges, etc. After a few years, they finally admit that you could have a disability, but won't give it to you any way. Its really depressing, how they set this system up.
I just keep working. I do have an unusual situation and my boss is fully aware of my condition. Driving was an issue at times, but I just have to wait it out sometimes. Over the last few years my vertigo attacks has subsided quite a bit. Jim
working no matter the conditions. That's great you can still work! I was used to 13-14 hour days, flying or driving across the county, photographing race events , shleping 40-50 lbs of gear living out of rental cars, forgetting which damm time zone you are in that day. Reality is, there is no way I can go back that. Meniere's then Covid killed all that. Nowadays, I can shoot a day in the studio, or work in my back yard garden, but there is always a physical price to pay. Usually, the next day or two in bed, and by the 4th or 5th day, I go from feeling really shitty to just normal shitty. I've paid my whole like into a system designed to take and not give back. That's the part that worries me.
Hello I have always loved working with animals so when I was diagnosed I had to give up my normal job. But for me it was a blessing as I joined a pet sitting company and now I walk dogs and look after people's animals when they go on holiday. I know you want to help support your family and so find something that you can do that does not require to much stress or strain. Hope this helps.
Hickspanic, there is a company (apologies but I can not locate their contact info) that specializes in winning social security disability claims. You don't pay a penny if denied but if your claim is successful they will partially dock your disability payments for the first year until they receive $6,000. I'm sure a google search will provide contact info. As you stated, you have paid into this system. If you truly cannot hold a steady occupation due to this condition, then you should file for this benefit. Good luck.
Hello everyone! My vertigo has come on, on and off for 20 some years. I continued working as long as I could. My wife kept telling me to put in for Disability. She or my daughter would have to come and get me either along a road somewhere or at work. Well my last bout with this disease was one of the worst. Three or four spells a week, sometimes two or three spells a day. That went on for months. I decided it was time. I got a lawyer and put in for Disability. It was approved in 7 months. My spells haven't been as bad now for a while, but I know they can come on again any time. It's a worrisome process, not knowing if it's going to be approved or not. I'm fixing to be 62 in a couple of months. So early retirement was my next option. I know there are a lot of variables, in the decision for putting in for Disability.
Hickspanic, you are not alone! In fact, I joined this group specifically because I too was wondering what people do for work with Meniere´s. Up until last year I held a FT job my entire adult life, even after leaving a FT job as a meat cutter to go to college full time, the place I left asked me to come back and cover for a guy who quit with no notice. College and 36 hours per week for the next 4 years. (So much for ¨kickin´ back¨ in school!) I worked the last 25 years for an institution in mid-level management (the last 15 of it with Meniere´s and its debilitating effects). After looking at our expenses, assessing our finances, and having one of the most deepest conversations with my wife we have ever had, I gave my notice at work. I left last year and it was the best choice I have ever made. My stress level went down and associated effects of Meniere´s issues also decreased. After being out of work for 10 months or so, living on our savings, my wife´s income, and selling off 30 years of accumulated stuff we didn´t need or use to help build up the ¨rainy day¨ fund, I took a job as a grunt, 32 hours per week, with a big box farm store. I loved it! But the pushing, pulling, and associated bending and lifting sent me into a hit of vertigo that I hadn´t experienced in years. I got into the car and headed home. Rather than making it home by myself, I pulled off the road at a church parking lot, the world spinning, heart rate going wild, sweating gallons, I called the local FD. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital. I quit my job with the farm store because I saw the Meniere´s signs coming back. Even after being gone from there for five weeks the frequency of vertigo over the last three weeks has intensified. Now, I´m stressed and frustrated, I want to work, I hate that my wife is the only one working, it feels like we are hemorrhaging money, and I too do not want to apply for disability, I want to work. After reading the posts on this thread, I too agree, retool, use what you got. (I saw the video clip of shopping, I love it!!!) A pod cast about Meniere´s intermixed with video clips! Call it, ¨The Spin Zone¨. Even if I don´t see the salary I was making two years ago, self employed seems to be the way to go. Living in a rural area in the northeast, I´m looking at jobs from home, elder companion care, and things where I can set my own schedule, maybe even my own wage. Check out a Craig´s List for your area with PT or one time jobs or gigs in your area? A local church with a job board maybe? Joining a church and doing for others has also really boosted my spirits, introduced me to some great people, and honed some tinkering skills that I didn´t know I had. And, as you can see from my few posts, I like to write. I´ve been working on some writing gigs over the last year that are starting to actually pay... stipends, but every little bit helps. - All the best!