Stepping-Stones…From SSDI…Back To The Working World…

Hello and thank you for joining us, today, as I continue sharing my journey back into the working world!

When you acquire a (dis)ability later in life…there is no road map. Each of our journeys are as different as our (dis)abilities. Even our abilities within similar (dis)abilities have different shades of what we are and aren’t able to do. That’s why self-awareness is a key initial stepping-stone back into the workplace. We have to be honest with ourselves about what we can and cannot do. And for those things that we aren’t quite sure where the line of limitation is, that’s where we need our courage to kick in; the courage to try.

What I found out about the Ticket To Work Program – MEO Style, is that it helped me with the courage to try. If I tried and didn’t make it as far as I thought I could, then at least I would know where my line of limitation was. It would also help me to become aware of any adjustments I needed to make to help expand beyond those limitations, where possible. But, if I didn’t try at all, you wouldn’t be reading this blog, and I would still be existing with the potential simply left inside of me. 

My pathway to living again ran right through the My Employment Options Ticket to Work Program (MEO TTWP). I don’t ignore that some divine intervention may have led me to MEO. I say that because one of the agencies out of the mountainous EN haystack that called me back, wasn’t able to help someone like me who could only work from home. But they referred me to MEO, because they felt like MEO was a better resource for my needs and quest to find a job that was a good fit for me. Before referring me though, they did offer me a job to do what I’m doing now, but I would have to go without pay for 3 months. Is it needless to say that I respectfully declined? 😊

I learned a lot from my first job! It was a good entry job back into the workforce. It was not easy, and hard on me in so many different ways. At the same time, I learned so much about where my line was and what I needed to do to be able to manage my (dis)ability so that I could work. I gained confidence in knowing that I could work again, and that confidence reminded me that this job was not my last stop, but a stepping-stone to the next one.

I use what I learned during that work experience, as a work-from-home customer service rep, to this day in my role as an Employment Counselor at MEO. As I’ve shared, in previous blogs, my mindset was that I would do what I had to do…until I could do what I wanted to do…and here I am. As I remind my clients, the only way we can continue to work is if we learn how to take good care of ourselves and manage our (dis)ability as much as it is possible to do so.

The MEO TTWP provides the support, information and tools we need to make informed decisions about working again and how it will affect our SSA Benefits – whose award process is not an easy one by any stretch of the imagination. So, when something isn’t easy to get…it would not be wise to jeopardize it without researching and asking the questions, “If this…then what? And if it doesn’t work out…then what?” If you are like me, you ask a lot of questions…you need to know before you take that next step so that you know what the safety nets are before you take the leap.

Even on the other side of the table as an Employment Counselor, I highly recommend Benefits Counseling; initially, and periodic check-ins with our Certified Benefits Specialist. She is a thread that you will notice weaves in and out of these blogs, because she was an invaluable resource when I was a client. If you listen to her advice, keep her updated with what she needs so that when you need assistance, she has what she needs to give you guidance; and can advocate on your behalf regarding your SSA Benefits and the TTWP. I consider her a stepping-stone that helps relieve pressure of the unknown when it comes to the crossroads of working, your benefits and the safety nets that are in place to catch you if you need them to, after trying. 

As always, I’ve enjoyed sharing my journey with you and look forward to continuing our journey in the next blog! Until next time…take good care of yourselves…

**If this is your first visit to our blog site, please feel free to visit previous blogs. If you’re interested in more information regarding applying for the MEO Ticket to Work Program…click here: https://myemploymentoptions.com/apply-now/