Employment for those with health issues - looking for ideas

[Molly]

I am looking for some type of part time job, but I have a lot of orthopedic issues. I am a retired librarian with a small pension and need some kind of work to help pay my medical bills.

In spite of healthy living, a trim body and daily exercise, I have developed arthritis and other orthopedic issues. I cannot spend much time at a computer anymore because of disc problems in my neck. Also, I have piriformis syndrome and a pinched nerve in my lower back, so a sitting job is out.

To add insult to injury, I recently hurt my foot and found out I have posterior tibial tendinitis and tarsal tunnel syndrome. So a standing job is out. I had been considering a playground monitor at the local school, but that is two hours on your feet. Plus, it would kill my lower back.

What is left? I'm stumped. I am thinking of looking for a pet sitting job. I had been active in dog sports for years until my many injuries. I've done conformation, obedience and agility. I can't really walk dogs until I get my foot issue resolved, but I can give them mid day potty breaks.

Anyone else have any suggestions? I'm tossing and turning at night trying to figure this out.

[Zoe Girl]

what about a school para with your librarian background? A lot of them doing various tasks for the teacher, read or work with kids, cut out some materials, and have shorter recess supervision times. the work changes so maybe you wouldn't have too long of a time at any one task, and the jobs are usually very part time with school breaks off

[Tammy]

Tutoring children for a few hours at a time after school?

[lessisbest]

You might check with a Temp. Agency and see if they have any jobs that would work for you.

I would also suggest going gluten-free to see if it helps your arthritis. Now 62, I've had arthritis since I was 14, and going gluten-free 2-years ago was the first REAL relief I've ever had.

[Molly]

I started going gluten free two months ago. Haven't noticed a difference yet. How long did it take for you to notice a difference?

[ToomuchStuff]

Seems to me the issue to concentrate on is resolving this, first. Right now your trying to figure out what kind of job to do with both permanent and temporary issues and as someone who hires, I wouldn't be hiring an injured individual (due to liability), nor would I want to hire someone who wasn't capable of doing the job. (seen cases where someone agree's to a job where they have to be able to lift 75lbs and then say they couldn't do that, then your just lying,wasting everyones time)
I don't know of too many jobs that don't require sitting or standing for long periods of time, and only one state do I know it is legal to do a job that involves laying down.:laff: Can't be of help there, but I think your focus needs to be on recovery, currently. Just how I see your post.

[rodeosweetheart]

What about temping as a librarian--seems you could move around and not spend the entire time in one place, in front of the computer screen.

I was putting myself in your place and thinking gee, I would try to be an aquatics rec instructor--all that time in a non-weight bearing medium--but I used to be a swimmer and lifeguard.

[Float On]

I think I'd try and get on the sub list for office and libraries in a school district. Being on a sub list if you are having a bad day you can say "no thanks, I can't today". Subbing for a school district can be a good source of part-time income and involves sitting and standing. Paras, depending on grade, involves sitting, standing, walking. I'm sure substitute paras are needed as well and again could give you the variety you need.

You mentioned dog care - I've noticed one kennel in our area advertises often for a split shift person to come take care of the pets at certain times of day or weekends. Vet offices may need someone as well for weekends.

[lessisbest]

I started going gluten free two months ago. Haven't noticed a difference yet. How long did it take for you to notice a difference?

I first decided to give it 3-months when I started. I didn't think there was all that much difference until I did a "test" after the 3-month trial by eating a hamburger with a bun one day, and the next I ate something on a flour tortilla. My entire body was so full of inflammation with painful swelling in my fingers, knees, hips, shoulders - I was on Ibuprofen for 2 days. I could barely walk - my pains had pains - so I took that as a sign and continued on the gluten-free diet.

By the end of the first year I was knitting hours on end making Christmas gifts. Prior to that I could only knit for 20-30 minutes, and not everyday. I had chronic carpal tunnel and tennis elbow in both arms from years of knitting and crocheting (I was an instructor, and at different times I worked at yarn shops). The unexpected surprise, I was able to walk barefoot without hobbling (something I haven't done in at least a decade) and my plantar fasciitis was gone.

I added deep knee bends and squats to my exercise program, something I'd given up ever being able to do again and I am able to bike for longer periods of time.

My mother had celiac disease, so being gluten sensitive makes sense in our family. Both my sister and her daughter have also resorted to a gluten-free diet after seeing my success. My niece (in her mid-30's) was on powerful anti-inflammatory drugs and was able to get off of them by going gluten-free.

I can only hope you would see positive results, but I don't think you will see all that much after 2-months. I still find new things after 2-years. It's wonderful to get my mobility back.

[Teacher Terry]

You could contact Vocational Rehabilitation to help you get back to work in an appropriate position. It is a state program that is 78% federally funded & is designed to help people with disabilities work. Unless you make a boatload of $ the service is free. You will get vocational counseling to help you choose a goal compatible with your disability & many other services depending on what you need. They also know the local labor market. I spent 24 years working in this program.

[profnot]

I like the pet sitting idea, especially if you board them at your home. Driving to other people's homes a few times a day around their schedule wears out your car and is a pain for planning your daily life.

Perhaps have an after-school service in your home would work for you? Better than a baby sitter for parents who work.

There is a thread on MMM about people making money on side jobs, etc. It's 9 pages and has lots of terrific ideas.

http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask...hare-with-us!/ (http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/who-has-a-side-gigjob-that-brings-in-extra-cash-share-with-us%21/)

[reader99]

Secret shopping could work. It's not a lot of money but it's not a lot of standing or sitting all at once either. www.volition.com has a list of secret shopper companies. they have info on paid to click things too.
I've enjoyed some things on amazon's Mechanical Turk.