I am fun, and always try to have a positive attitude, no matter what life throws at me. I am in a wheelchair and was diagnosed with SMA type 1 (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) which is a form of muscular dystrophy at the age of 18 months old. I was told I wouldn't live past the age of 4 years old, but here I am now 34 years old. I do not let my condition get me down, I wouldn't be here today if I didn't have a very positive attitude and a strong support system with a great mom and dad, three younger brothers, and great friends as well.I am a hard worker, and I choose to be independant and work despite my disability. I am not the type to say "I can't work"... ALMOST everyone in America can work someway or another! Being disabled is no excuse! I have worked a menagerie of jobs. My first job at 16 years old was in customer service at Bealle's with was totally just a "hired me to say they hired a disabled person" as they never gave me a set schedule, told me to just come in whenever, and never had anything for me to do. Then I worked at Garden Ridge Pottery as a sales representative in the craft department and then moved on to the back office answering phones. I had a quick stint as a telemarketer for MCI (long distance telephone service) doing outbound cold calling. It was horrific and they were shady as all get out! I quit after 3mos. when they tried to get me to switch service on an elderly lady that had no clue what she even had to begin with (which it told on my screen it wasn't MCI) and tried to get me to tell her we were just going to upgrade her service! I didn't, and never came back to work after that. Then I had a great job for almost 4 years working for a VERY small durable medical equipment company that we primarily sold power wheelchairs and scooters through Medicare. It was just the boss, and I handled all the paperwork, front office duties, and managed the place as I was there by myself most of the time. In later years, he hired my brother, James (Jamie) to do repairs and deliveries. The business went under after a bunch of Medicare stings that hurt the small business owner and one day he told me to not come in to work because he couldn't afford me. He never asked me back. I was so sad to lose that job. I didn't get another job for a few years. I found a part-time job (which all my jobs were part-time) working for Dell in sales. I really didn't want to go back in to sales because of my bad experience with MCI. But, this was different. It was all inbound and they trained us quite well on how to sale and know the "ins and outs" of computers. I worked there for 3 years and did very well at my job! I was top ranking salesperson enterprise wide numerous times, even comparing to full time people. I quit, even after avoiding two huge layoff's because I was first of all, SO burned out, and also I had some pretty significant issues with a manager and human resources on basically violating the American Disability Act, taking away extra breaks I was hired with and had for nearly three years, and overall making my job very difficult for me. I had a backup plan before I quit, and I began working with DARS (Department of Assistive and Rehabilitation Services) and I lucked out getting an EXCELLENT case worker. I went to medical transcription school and did it all from home. DARS took care of everything! The expense of my online classes and books, a very expensive electronic adjustable height desk, a new suped up computer to handle all the workload of transcription, a printer, a printer stand, Dragon Medical voice recognition software (which was $1900), and a hand pedal to use for stopping and starting dictations and more. Everything I needed for me, with my condition to be able to succeed at the career. My goal was to from here on out, if employed, only work from home because I would get sick so often when working in an office setting. My hopes were also to be able to work full time (since I would be at home, mom could care for me still and take me to the bathroom and such) and hopes were to get on with a national transcription company to be able to draw benefits. All of this to be able to be self-sufficient financially, and not have to depend on Social Security Disability or their insurance any longer. Well, it took me a year and a half to finish school. I finished with a 3.9 GPA. By the time I got done, I actually had decided I did not want to pursue the career. Over my time in school, I learned a lot more about the career, even though I had researched it extensively over a year before starting. I learned that the career was DYING... literally. All medical transcription work was being outsourced overseas for the most part, the pay scale for US based workers was getting lower and lower, MTs were losing jobs left and right, and EMR (electronic medical records) were taking over and eliminating the need for doctors to dictate even at all any more. The ones that WERE still working, even for large hospitals, were pulling 12+ hr. shifts in order just to make minimum wage! MOST were not drawing benefits either. I knew I could not do this. So, literally the day I graduated officially, that night I got on my iPhone to look (once again) for LEGITIMATE work from home jobs. One of the first things I pulled up, Apple was looking for full-time home based Mac Experts! The requirements were 2-3 years of sales experience and/or call center experience. That was ME! I applied immediately. I got a phone interview in two days, then a week later had two in person interviews. I was told only one, but then right after that, they asked if I could stay for a 2nd one, which was with the hiring managers... although they didn't disclose that, but I assumed. I waited a long long time after that because it fell during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years holidays. During this time they did background check. I got my official verbal offer on my birthday! January 11! Then I went in the following week to do written offer. The orientation and training started on January 31. So I got my dream job, working from home for a wonderful company, full-time, with full benefits! I have been there about 1.5 years as of right now. I have been able to help mom and dad out so much and do things I have always wanted to do, but never had the money, like remodeling my room, etc.
Every day is a struggle, but God doesn't give you more than you can handle and everything in life is a lesson and happens for a reason.
I have been very lucky in life, and have such great supporting friends and family. I wouldn't be here if it were not for the love and guidance of my parents. They sacrifice every day for me, and would do anything to help me and achieve my dreams and goals. I could never be one of those "poor pitiful me" type people... when life throws you a lemon, you make lemonade!
