What can I accomplish with my life now that I'm living on SSDI?

Question

I'm used to working for a living, but I have schizophrenia and can't work because my medication costs $2300 a month. The meds work great but my office skills are going to waste and I don't feel like I'm accomplishing anything. I live out in the country in Tennessee and would appreciate any thoughts on this or at least some good nonfiction books to read. I'm bored.

Answer 1

You write well. Why not write a memoir on you life? You have an interesting story that could sell, whether you realize it or not. Write about what it is to be a fully functioning mentally ill person capable of holding employment and participating in society that the health care system forces onto SSDI. Schizophrenia fascinates people. Many don't actually know what it is, and many more do not know that there are schizos on meds who are just like everyone else. Seriously, it has potential. Of course, balance that with some outdoor activities, some volunteer work, and some fun. Life is all about balance and staying social is very important for all of us crazies.

PS - if a publisher picks it up, you could work something so that proceed go to you if sufficient to cover your living costs, and go to charity if it's only enough to put you in a bind with SSDI.

Answer 2

Been there, done that, I have an idea of how you feel.

I have been disabled for a long time and trying to find a way to earn a little extra money at home has been difficult. I have spent a lot of time here on Yahoo Answers and that has kept my typing skills up. I never give the simple answer.

In my research for other people I have learned a few new things and I have kept my Internet skills pretty high.

I have a disease called Fibromyalgia that makes things like a daily commute to work too much for me to handle. I get tired, in pain and suffer from insomnia; a condition that causes depression that runs in increasing cycles. It gets to the point where I can't show up to work and if I do then I make stupid mistakes and I am not worth having around. It is horrible when you can't trust your own brain. Yet if you read my answers for a wide range of questions then you see that I am far from an idiot and considering that I have gotten to almost level 7 in less than 18 months (after weathering 3 computer failures) it shows that I am serious about contributing.

Personally I am looking at becoming a writer, using the skills I have worked on here. The problem is that with out a literary agent you can't sell anything; the slush piles are too high.

I have gone the survey route and found it a long slow way to earn money. It is about the only legitimate work at home job I have found, except for working as a seller on eBay. The problem that is that you get paid pennies per hour for your labor; it is easy to do; just fill out some questionnaires and there are hundreds of programs out there; but as a get rich quick scheme the TV commercials lie.

I am middle aged and I feel that I still want to make a contribution to society my disability is not my fault, or caused by a failing on my part. I honestly worked hard to try and get well and to try and work my way around the illness. But, after going bankrupt, becoming homeless and a string of failures I have to admit that I can’t work at a normal job. It is so frustrating!

I was trained as a draftsperson; an AutoCAD technician. The work is requires computer skill and intimate knowledge of an expensive computer program ($1,000 at least). So how do I keep up with a constantly evolving work place? Every year a new program is written and I can’t afford to keep up. I have an old version that I can still handle, but I only have a vague idea of the improvements made.

I have kept up on MS Office 2003 buying new versions of the program are not that expensive and I can afford a few hundred dollars. I find things to do like make a Power Point Presentation to explain how to use some software for a friend. But, if I tried to do that professionally then I couldn’t keep up with the real companies. I have found that I am a good teacher, and I have tried to use this forum to educate and help people. But, I have no other outlet to work in.

I am adding your question to my watchlist so I can see if you get any good responses, but believe me you are not alone. I few other people like you and me hang out here.

No I don't want any of the pity party either, I can still make a difference; even if it is a tiny one here.

Volunteering sounds nice until you remember that when you do people expect you on a regular schedule and I can't handle that well. If I have a bad night then I am no good to anyone the next day. Just getting to sleep each night is a struggle. So go exercise they say; that's when the chronic pain sets in. The last time I had an exercise program I got so stupid I overdosed on a medication. I am so sick that I didn't notice any problems until I ended up fainting in public and at the hospital. I have been afraid to do any exercise program since then.

There are no easy answers, maybe you can make a go of it at eBay, I tried twice and couldn’t get anyone to buy my stuff. I don’t want to enter an expensive partnership with a wholesaler who would be selling the stuff themselves if they didn’t make more money having other people try and do it for them.

Answer 3

You could try taking some college classes. And I didn't say this, but maybe you could work p/t off the books. You could look into volunteer work that interests you.

The cost of meds is so out of hand. I've read that it is disturbingly not terribly uncommon for parents of mentally ill children to have to go so far as giving up custody to the state in order for them to get help because the parents can not afford the medical bills (because they work and make too much for medicaid). How wrong is that!?

Do you know anything about the ticket-to-work program that social security has? I'm not sure exactly how it works, but there are ways to work some and keep benefits when you are considered disabled. There should be more detailed info on their wesbite (I think socialsecurity.gov).

Answer 4

There are places the need people in volunteer organizations.
I knew a man who was on disability and he sold popcorn in the hospital lobby. The hospital had a nice vending machine and needed volunteers to operate it.

Volunteer at the public library.

Volunteer at a organization like NAMI that will work on making things like annual medication cost $27, 600 a thing of the past.

I've driven through Tennessee many times driving from Texas to New York City and Tennessee is beautiful.

I want to visit where Andrew Jackson was born.

Answer 5

Go to your library. Even small towns have libraries and you can find non-fiction to your heart's delight! Choose your favorite category. Biographies are great inspirational and often comical books that get your mind off of your own problems. Start with Dolly Parton's bio; she's so positive and so honest, you can't help but get inspired.

Try writing your own book. Share books with a good friend. Sell Avon or Mary Kay; like the guy above me said, start an ebay store and clear out your excess stuff. Take up painting or sketching.

But most of all, keep busy. It's a blessing to be able to still "do." Find something you really like, and even if you have to start with baby steps, "do." And like the other person said, be sure to always pray. I wish you well.

Answer 6

I receive SSI (I'm assuming it's the same as SSDI, I receive it from Social Security Administration). If you still would like to work, you can attempt at finding a job that pays under the table, that way they won't take your check away. If I work, SSA takes .50 out of every $1.00 I'd make.

What do I do? I take care of my daughter all day, and go to my appointments (I have so many). If I get a chance, I read, watch movies, get online. If I didn't have children (I'm expecting #2) I would like to take some college courses, not to get a job, but to learn about something I'm interested in. I have a YMCA membership that I don't use that much. Other than that, I don't do much.

Have you tried getting a Community Support Worker / Case Manager? You can find out how to get one through your local mental health. Not only can they come and visit you and give you company if your bored, but they can get you involved in the community (find things for you to do) and advocate on your behalf. Mine have advocated for me for soooo many things and have gotten me so many resourses that I other wise wouldn't have been able to get myself. Mine has also made me feel like I actually have friends (because other than them, I don't have any). They can help out with all kinds of things.

Answer 7

Well, are you interested in animals. Maybe you could start breeding dogs, not too many, and have a nice, humane kennel. That would keep you busy from the first light of the day until dark. How about horses or cattle. You'd need money to construct the right kind of buildings/barn, facilities. How about writing a novel or taking an art class and start painting. I wish you well with your health and life.

Answer 8

Ok, I'll give you some advice but first no pity parties because no one will accept the invitations; they've got their own concerns.
Now then, how about becoming the best darn volunteer your town has ever seen. Find something you're interested in and get involved. You can meet some really cool people and remain active.
Also, if you don't feel up to being around a lot of people, why not start a garden, they can be indoor or outdoor spaces.
And, walking in addition to being good excercise is mentally stimulating as well.
Is there a support group for people with schizophrenia in your area, get out there and benefit from any information they may share. Search for groups on the NAMI web-site.
Also, there are needs for volunteers at your local library, nursing home and pet shelters. You can be a busy body easily and the rewards are great! How about people smiling every time they see you coming their way as you represent a helping hand.
The thing I really love about volunteering is the ability to work my own schedule out. Remember that for every raindrop, a flower grows.
Enjoy your can-do's, work within your personal parameters, respect your abilities and accept that which you cannot change while using the wisdom you clearly possess and can share with others.
Your office skills can be applied in so many situations besides the traditional office.
One word of caution, do not get burned out. Some organizations may want you to come in every day, you owe it to yourself and to the organization, if you chose to volunteer to be realistic about your scheduling time and energy levels.
One thing I ask myself daily, is what have I done good for another person today?
Here's a list of some of the things I've contributed socially since becoming unable to work in the traditional sense of the word.
First, I started a group for senior citizens to get out and socialize. There's a joy in working with seniors and also with children. For the reward, I am asked by local politicians and clergy to contribute ideas in my community to add to their think tanks on how best to meet the needs of my senior pals. I'm not in an office, I'm with the group of seniors, I know what they think because I'm with them once a week and I ask them what their needs are.
From that, I was invited to cohost a radio program designed to reach seniors and to discuss their issues. Pretty cool, huh?
Then, I started writing a tiny column in my local newspaper. All voluntary. Let the paid writers sweat. Who, me? I'm just a volunteer.
Recently, I have started working with youth, disadvantaged youth. I have told them that just because you come from a family that doesn't have alot of money, doesn't mean you stop trying and settle. Actually, you use what you see, poverty, crime...to motivate you to do better. One of the kids just returned to college, his mother wrote me a lovely letter thanking me for motivating him. The other young man will return to work soon.
Honey, I'm up to my eyeballs in helping others, it's my calling so to speak. When I need a break, I take one and I tell people I need time to rewind and get my head together.
There will always be opportunities, our mission becomes to help others if we let ourselves contribute.
Please be motivated, your skills are needed in the volunteer trenches. There are not enough hands.
In closing, I will tell you that I recently returned from Washington, it was a good trip, spent the night in a hotel and had a nice dinner while there discussing Katrina.
Yup, as a volunteer.
I would encourage you and others to get involved. And remember, no pity parties. Life is for living!

Answer 9

There are always people here asking about work-at-home jobs using the Internet - in fact the question right above yours when I looked at the main page was about that:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArLrqS5XrDMuIpYiZ67UTqpJxQt.;_ylv=3?qid=20070911190729AAqYFQE

Maybe you could do one of those? Or even start a blog about that topic, since there is so much interest. If having a job would violate income guidelines for you, see if a charity group could use some administrative help - for example I wrote the Salvation Army a question and it took them 6 months to get back to me.

Answer 10

You can put your office skills to good use by making creative contributions on-line. Write about your experiences in a way that will help and inform others facing similar challenges.
Maybe a Blog as was suggested before or join an on-line volunteer group...