First Job

[palmtree]

Times have been getting so tough I figured getting a job would be the most respectable thing to do.

I’ve had a lot of jobs during my 70 years of life but this one feels like the biggest challenge of my life.

I answered an ad in Craigslist for a substitute preschool teacher. To my surprise, I got an immediate response asking for an interview.

I hadn’t driven in 8 years and I got in the car and drove across town, walked on slippery ice and climbed stairs to the interview. I was incredulous when she offered me the job.

She has more faith in me than I have in myself. But I’ve had many dreams that I’ve had an opportunity to work again and I am determined to keep at it. This is the first time in 40 years that I’ve had the opportunity to work for someone. I am going to give this everything I’ve got.

It’s like I have to learn how to be an employee again. I’ve been hiring caregivers since I got diagnosed in 2010 so it’s an awkward change of roles from boss to worker. Thinking about keeping my mind on the job, that my hands can do the job and I don’t do anything too stupid. It is terrifying.

[dm0329]

Congratulations!

I'm so proud of you! I'm only 56 yo with SPMS, was dx way back in 1994, started tx in 1997 which I continue today, but both the fatigue and cognitive dysfunction had me "medically retire" in 2009. I earned my MEd in Higher Education Management/Student Affairs Track. I loved working in student personnel, but the daily commutes, showers, dressing presentable, etc., forced me out of the workforce in my mid-forties.

MS is a progressive lifelong disease. But, I applaud you for going back to work. At times, I think I "should do something" as I have an MEd. But, with Covid, I've been hesitant. I applaud your hutzpah! Again, congratulations and best of luck to you as you begin your new journey!

[REG53]

WOW Palmtree that's great!! You should be very proud of yourself.
I hope you enjoy your job

[KoKo]

Hey palmtree!

Best wishes for you at your new job!

Glad to know that you are doing better.

It is amazing that you were brave enough to drive after 8 years, walk on ice, and climb stairs too!

Keep us posted on how everything goes.

We're rooting for you!

[pennstater]

Wishing you all the best with your new job. Exciting and scary at the same time. I truly hope you enjoy it and it is manageable for you.

[Mamabug]

Oh my goodness; congratulations! I can't imagine applying for a job at this point in my life and my MS.

[Pistachio]

Wow! Congratulations! That's amazing. I applaud you for taking such a big step. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? You'll be great!

[502E79]

I have nothing but admiration for the effort you are about to make.

It's the first time in 40 years, and you'll be working with a room full of preschoolers....

This alone outweighs working for someone.

Give it everything you've got Palmtree, but please recognize and respect your limitations.

[Seasha]

Give it everything you've got Palmtree, but please recognize and respect your limitations.

I agree - you've got to take care of yourself first before you can help take care of others. I hope you enjoy working with pre-schoolers. They are such an innocent, open and delightful age. Congratulations!!

[palmtree]

I have nothing but admiration for the effort you are about to make.

It's the first time in 40 years, and you'll be working with a room full of preschoolers....

This alone outweighs working for someone.

Give it everything you've got Palmtree, but please recognize and respect your limitations.

Thank you everyone for all the encouragement. That’s also good to remember to respect my limitations. I want so badly to succeed at this.

For dm029, you said you retired in 2009, I actually finally retired from trying to do anything i was doing freelance transition at the time) in 2010. I could not ever remember working again. I suppose if this difficult financial situation hadn’t befallen me I would have gone along and been ok, But it has been a wonderful feeling that I could do it “if I really had to”. The truth is that I wanted so much for someone to rescue me but since they didn’t I have to find a way to do this. I am trying to learn to do things systematically and think things out. I have a tendency to want to speed too fast. That’s probably not from MS. But MS is forcing me to do things differently.

[Jules A]

Many congratulations!