feel insecure!!

SarahG_3

Hello. I worry about my future prospects constantly. I have spinal bifida and am a wheelchair user. I left school with very few qualifications and decided to attend college for a BTEC Entry level Certificate in Skills for Working Life and to work my way up the courses. I attended a small school for people with difficulties and let a pretty sheltered life. I realized this when I staterd college. Not many able bodied people would talk or interact with me so I hung around with other wheelchair users who were mostly in my study group. I would hear girls saying insulting and humiliating things behind my back and laughing. Referring to embarrassing problems relating to my disability. Anyway I left and started claming Incapacity Benefit topped up with income support and have been doing to for 3 years.

The problem is I feel insecure about my future and worry about losing benefits and having to go into some kind of home. I want a job so I can support myself but I have little conference and am practically a recluse for fear of people embarrassing me in public. What kind of jobs out their are they? Am I alone? Sorry for the eassy.... Sarah

lynzpower

Oh Sarah I am so sorry that youve experienced that for havig different abilities to others. Makes me pretty mad :mad:

I wonder whether it might be a good idea to speak with one of the speciqalist disability workers in the job centre?

Someone else wil be along in the morning to offer more.

Welcome :wave:
lynz

garothb

Hi Sarah, I can't offer any useful advice on the careers aspect and can only echo what others have said about seeking specialist advice, but I would like to reassure you a bit about the future - work is likely to be much less traumatic than you expect! I became something of a recluse myself during/after school due to a speech impediment, but most employers have a strong equal ops policy - and I've found adults to be far more tolerant and less inclined to cruel remarks than children/youths. There are many openminded, sympathetic people out there so please don't let the comments of a few idiots affect your future; they simply aren't worth it.
Chin up!

michaeln2

Hi Sarah, When i hear of experiences that people endure from some "people" who have no difficulties i get REALLY angry.

That experience at college must have been awfull, those girls you mention are not worth giving a damn about & i personally find it hard to class such types as people.

But please try to remember that not everyone is like that. I know it must be hard to realise after what you endured, but there are still a lot of nice caring and considerate people out there..... its the nasty sods that tend to get noticed more. (Maybe thats the only way they can get someones attention?)

As lynz mentioned it may be a good idea to talk to someone in the job centre. I would also tell them of your unpleasant experiences at college.

Its clear from your post that you want to further yourself so you are not having to depend on benefits, that can only be applauded not brought down to the level of some thickskinned arrogant (the list goes on) sods who think they are perfect.... to hell with them its YOU and your needs that count.

And no,, you are not alone. Please try not to let anyone grind you down Sarah, your worth much more than that.

Best regards.

Mick

saintjanet

i can only echo what the other posters say on here.It really is terrible the insensitivity of some people,i wish they would keep their awful comments and opinions to themselves.

i too can not offer you any practical advise i just hope that you find something that you enjoy doing,GOOD LUCK for the future.

elmer

Hi Sarah,

My husband worked(until last week) in an organisatiom called WAys To Work, which is run by our local council with funding from the EU

Its main purpose is to support disabled people into work, my husband would support many people in a working enviroment, ie he would work with someone in a shop or a school or gardening etc, until they had the confidence to do it by themselves, for some people he would pick them up and take them home afterwards as well, really whatever the individual needed to go to work.

If you contacted your local Social work dept, they would be able to put you in touch with your local group, Im sure thats its not just here in Scotland, and hopefully they would be able to find someone to support you in your aspirations

Good Luck

Sarah xx

Fleago

Hi Sarah,

I'm sorry you feel in such a low place just now, but there is definitely light for you at the end of the tunnerl There are many organisations who can provide support and assistance for you to look at your work options or to actually find work, but it will depend on where you are in the country just who is available in your area.

Although your local Social Work department may have valuable advice for you and are a good point of contact I would agree with Lynzpower and suggest the Jobcentre as a good place to start. You can phone up and ask for an appointment with the Disability Employment Advisor, who should have good information about what exactly is available in your particular area and will also give you advice on the possible impact on your Benefits depending on the choices you make. They will also be able to refer you to a suitable provider in your area of appropriate support for you.

Good luck

Fleago