I am A disabled Vet that is going to need knee surgury through the VA. How do you tell an employer that without scaring them to death? I can go up and down ladders and walk all day at work but at interviews I am worried that I will be looked over due to service injuries.
I was born w/o my leg or hip. By law you never have to answer that question, it is illegal. When I am ready to discuss it, I let them know the truth very matter of factly and tell them that I know what my limiations are and that I can handle what the job entails.
If you act nervous, you will make them nervous! You can't grow anew limb to make them comfortable with who you are. Trust I have tried, and you can't cover it up. So just be who you are, learn to have a sence of humor and realize there is always someone worse off than you!
So put you one and only best foot forward and good luck!
Shelly
Dear Shelly,
What a great response! You are absolutely right, and have you thought about becoming a career counselor, or a job coach!
We are thrilled to have you here at our forum, and everyone else too!
Sometimes, we people with disabilities find our best support, certainly our most empathetic support, from other people in our community.
Sincerely,BusyBee
Dear Busy Bee,
I would love to do that but I am not sure how to go about finding that kind of job! After I left Shriner's in 1988 I was left to figure things out and adapted myself to the world instead of the other way around. So here I am 20+ years later learning.
I think a job like that work would not only educate myself but empower me to educate others so they don't go thru what I have. We should work together so no one is left behind! If you have any advice, please let me know.
Vocational Rehabilitation counselors now need a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling to pursue a career in counseling. There are a number of graduate school programs across the country. An excellent one with which I am familiar is at George Washington University in Washington, DC. Often one can obtain the degree via distance (online) graduate school programs with a requirement for practicums in local agencies to supplement the online/distance-ed. Programs. The good news is that there is often grant funding available for people who wish to obtain a master's degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling and related fields. You may want to check out the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) web site, http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/index.html for information about these grants and other financial aid for students interested in similar careers.
Another good place to do some searches for help is in the service provider search which could help you find some schools or people who could help you reach your goal.
Good luck, and do let us know what you learn and what kinds of decisions you reach about your own career goals.
Sincerely,
BusyBee
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