Work stuff - Being realistic

Earlier today, I met with a case worker, who works for an employment agency, for a follow-up about the placement and to discuss changes in what I'm looking for, employment-wise.

Rather than sticking to writing, advocacy, and other paths which, even though I'm good at them, aren't exactly leading me to any kind of employment, I flat-out decided I just want a part-time job. Something a couple days a week that will supplement the disability pension I'm getting, get me work experience, and allow me to get out of the house and maintain a routine.

With my experience, the case worker suggested something in admin or data entry. She recommended taking an online typing test to check my speed, and said she had a few admin positions within the agency's networks, so that's okay for now. However, I've been with this agency for about a year and a half now, and the biggest opportunity to come from them so far has been the placement which was great, but never actually lead to real employment. With this in mind, I've decided to give the folks helping me now until Christmas to come up with something, even if it's just an interview. If nothing happens, I'm thinking about speaking with someone from the employment centre I did my placement with. They know me, a few of them already have my resume and know what I'm looking for, and I know them and the centre's success rate, so why not?

Another option I'm finally starting to consider for more reasons than just employment, is outright moving to a smaller city. My parents have been thinking about it for some time now, and moving to somewhere smaller just might mean less competition for a job.

Whatever works, I guess.

Anyway, enough of these work and adult-ish things, I've got a night of comics and Chinese food ahead of me!

Cheers

Frustration (and Coping with It)

A lot of people think that nothing tends to bother me. That's not entirely true. Yes I can be pretty chill, but things do still frustrate me. And when this happens, I can sometimes fly off the handle. I've been told that I yell at myself, "zone out" (like, losing focus), and occasionally even hit myself.

I know to distance myself whenever this happens, and my family is good at cluing me back in, but it is scary to think that someday, this could happen when I'm out in public. That's why I've started looking into ways of dealing with this.

Frustration, I've learnt, is common in people with Joubert syndrome so a parents group was the first place I looked for advice. Suggestions ranged from behavioural therapy and talking to a specialist to writing and finding something to occupy my time. I don't think I'm at the point where I need to seek professional help, though it is good to know for if/when things get to that point.

Finding something to occupy my time seems to make the most sense, as the placement I did has been over for a month and I'm currently looking for new work (or even volunteering) opportunities. Actually, I think work, and seeking independence in general, plays a huge part in my current frustrations.

But, I'm dealing with it, talking about it and, as one of the parents in the Joubert group mentioned, that could help parents understand what frustrates their children, and figure out ways to help them.

And just doing that makes me a lot happier.

Cheers!

What's Been Up Lately

Photo from a recent trip to the Museum of Nature

I was reading the blog the other day and realized that over the last few months, I've written almost exclusively about my placement, but nothing else.

So, aside from the placement, the last month or so has been pretty interesting, and I did a few (to me, anyway) major new things.

From the end of July until the second week in August, I stayed home alone while my family was down east. Between the placement, saving for next summer's Joubert conference in Phoenix, and a few other things I had going on, I just thought a staycation would be more convenient.

However, unlike other solo staycation's I've had, I wasn't just lounging around the house for a week doing nothing.

That first weekend, I went to see the latest Star Trek movie with a new group of people I had met on a group for single/social nerds of Ottawa-Gatineau. Yes, you read that correctly, I joined a singles group. I had been on the group a few days earlier, and had seen a discussion between several members living in my part of the city. A few said they were seeing a movie over the weekend and asked if anyone wanted to join them. After what seemed to be a long while of nervousness and hesitation, I said I'd like to go, and I did. It was a pretty big step, and I look forward to similar activities in the future, if they happen.

That Monday was a holiday but Employment Services was open, so I decided to go in to make up some hours and keep to a routine. There were only three other people there, so it was pretty relaxed and I got to leave a bit early.

Later in the week, I had a meeting with folks from Abilities First Ottawa, a local organization that helps people with disabilities become more independent, to go over plans for their annual barbeque fundraiser in September. I had been given info about them during a networking workshop for my placement, and contacted them shortly after. The woman I contacted, who's the group's executive director, was very interested in my speaking and writing, and encouraged me to participate.

The meeting went well. The fundraiser seems like it will be a great event. The people involved are pretty nice too, and immediately welcomed me into the "family" with a late dinner at East Side Mario's (Italian restaurant)! Was initially hesitant to go to dinner but, like with the movie, I sucked it up and had fun.

Along with all this, the universe had another new experience in store for me! Near the end of the week, I had and interview with a woman from Citizen Advocacy, another Ottawa-based disability organization. The week before, I had sent an email asking for information about a job posting. Unfortunately, I didn't meet the exact qualifications for the position. Fortunately though, the woman who replied was very interested in my speaking, writing, and workshops, and wanted to meet to talk about it!

During the interview, I was told that my advocacy background would be a perfect fit for an transitioning event Citizen Advocacy has coming up, and the woman who met with me wanted me to send her more information on the topics I've covered in the past to present me as a speaker to some of her co-workers. Best of all, she thinks this could maybe (knock on wood) lead to paid work with the organization! Still waiting on this, so fingers crossed.

And, that's about it. Like I said in my last post, no paid work yet, but stuff's certainly starting to happen!

Cheers

Placement Wrap-up

Last Wednesday was the final day of my placement with Pinecrest Queensway's Employment Services, and it was a pretty good day. Everyone there was super-nice and appreciative of the work I did over the three-month period. Some of them even offered to keep an eye out for any jobs that might interest me. I also got a nice thank-you card and cookies before I left!

This placement was my first experience working somewhere for more than one day a week, and I learnt a lot. The biggest experience was obviously the opportunity to research, create, and present a professional workshop.

Even though it would have been great to have been able to present more, the important thing is I did it. I got some excellent feedback, and my skills as a presenter even got me an interview with a local disability organization, who think I'd be a good speaker for an upcoming event (more on this in a later post)!

The second big thing I was tasked with, was maintaining the center's Twitter page. Before this placement, I had only used Twitter once before, a few years ago for a one-month online course and even then I never really used it often. So, I was very surprised by how quickly I took to it.

Before actually posting anything, I had been asked to develop a social media plan in order to update the center's account. I came up with ideas to post things like daily motivational quotes, sayings, and photos, usually related to employment, links to local employment and networking events, tips and lists, and success stories. It wound up being kind of fun, and everyone at the center immediately recognized and praised my efforts!

#SoAmIATwitNow?

 Along with the work itself, I had to participate in bi-weekly peer support meetings. These gave participants the opportunity to share what everyone was doing and engage in workshops about topics like interviews, dealing with stress, and networking. The networking workshop was incredibly useful, and led to both an interview and volunteer opportunities with a local disability organization.

In the abstract sense, the entire placement experience was also a motivator. I don't do well without some kind of routine, and the placement allowed me to get into a pretty good one. Four hours for three days a week, up early, bus there and back (Para Transpo was almost always on time, too!), all for three whole months.

Now that it's done, I'm trying to ride this routine, and the burst of productivity it's given me, for as long as I can!

I don't have any paid work yet, but I do feel I'm a couple steps closer to finding it. At the very least, this placement has helped me to zero in on what I really want to do and go from there.

Overall, it was a really good experience, and I would definitely recommend this type of program to anyone with a disability looking for a job, or even just experience.

Cheers!

One Workshop Done, Another To Go

This past Monday, I presented my first Public Speaking Skills workshop at the placement I'm doing.

Despite nervousness which, ironically, I was speaking about, and fewer attendees than I had expected, it turned out pretty nicely. I got some good feedback from both participants and my mentor in regards to areas like audience participation, maintaining eye contact (another point I brought up - so much irony!), and including more about myself.

And, I will be able to work on all of this sooner rather than later because they want me to do another workshop on August 8th, just before my placement's finished!

Fingers crossed that the next one gets even more attendees.

Cheers!

Placement, Advocacy, and Work Maybe??

Well, I've been pretty busy lately, especially this week. In the home stretch of my placement with Pinecrest Queensway, and my public speaking workshop is officially a go for this Monday afternoon! Unfortunately, there are no work positions within Employment Services similar to what I'm looking for, but I did get pointed in the direction of another department within the organization, and they offered to help me out if I ever do find anything.

Along with the placement, I've really been looking into work and advocacy lately. A few weeks ago, I attended a presentation by a local networking group for participants of the placement program. The presenter asked people what they were doing and what kind of work they were interested in, to which I said disability advocacy. After the presentation, the presenter gave me his card and asked me to email him. I did, and he replied with contact info for a couple local disability organizations.

I eventually emailed both places, mainly looking for employment, but also possible advocacy opportunities. One place got back to me within a day, and this week I had an interview with Rise Asset Development, an organization that helps people with mental health and addiction issues get funding for entrepreneurial efforts. The interview went well, but didn't yield anything. However, that afternoon, I chose to follow up with the other organization I had contacted, Abilities First Ottawa. Nothing in terms of employment, but they were impressed enough with my background that they want me to sit on the committee for a barbeque fundraiser in September. Not quite what I was expecting, but it's a foot in the door!

I'm also sent some stuff off to The War Amps, and am waiting to hear back, so fingers crossed there.

Cheers

Over a month since my last post? Really??

Wow, time sure flies when you're doing stuff! And by stuff, I mostly mean my placement.


And speaking of the placement, it's now officially past the half way point and going pretty well. The people at the employment centre are friendly, the work, despite one or two setbacks, is good, and Para Transpo actually arrives on time most times!

I started off almost solely focused on developing a workshop on public speaking skills for interviews, with a focus on staying confident. The presentation touches on overcoming nervousness, how to prepare and present an elevator speech, and taking things one step at a time. The first date was scheduled for last Monday but, unfortunately, the workshop was cancelled due to lack of registration. I was a little bummed at first, but was told that these things are common this time of the year, with graduations and other end-of-school events going on. At least I'm well prepared for the next one scheduled for later in July!

In the meantime, I've been pretty busy coming up with ideas of how to improve the employment centre's social media presence then implementing them. It's actually kind of fun. I'm updating their Twitter page (I can hashtag now!) with postings, tips, and inspirational stories and images. Soon, I'll be on Instagram (which'll be completely new to me), writing "stories" based on what goes on at the centre.

All this plus progress meetings every two weeks, leads on some potential work/advocacy opportunities, and a family vacation, and the rest of the summer's going to be busy too. And, I'm actually okay with that.

Cheers!