Thankful…Even In The Midst Of…

Welcome or welcome back! As always, we appreciate your visit to our MEO Blog. We can learn so much from each other’s experiences, which makes our pathways a little smoother. I hope you’re able to find something in these blogs that does that for you, before, during or after your quest to find a job that’s a good fit for you, for this moment in time. 

With Thanksgiving approaching, I’ve been reflecting on all that I’m grateful for and I’m sure that you’ve guessed that the Ticket To Work Program (MEO Style) will always be on my list. It is helpful for my heart to acknowledge the positives in my life and this time of year is a special time to reflect on just that. As one with a (dis)ability, if I could change some things, I certainly would. But, I’m very well aware that things could be worse for me and so I’m grateful that they are not. Because tomorrow is not promised, I choose to be grateful today.

I don’t have the words to tell you how devastating it was to be on the opposite side of the table from where I used to be. The shift from the provider side to the client side…was sudden and unbelievable. Although unbelievable, in that moment, the reality was that my life had changed drastically. I didn’t choose my (dis)ability, it chose me. It didn’t consider my feelings or ask my permission. I didn’t have time to adjust…it just became what it was…a new way of life…not one I enjoyed, asked for or would ever have chosen. But there it was…I had a choice to sit with it or try to move with it, tagging along. I did sit with it for a while, but my faith woke me up and so I began to believe that it wasn’t the be-all or end-all…that I could and would Live again. 

I didn’t know what was next, I began to move, scared, but I moved anyway. When you have a (dis)ability there are many things that scare us, spoken and unspoken. Working again…not knowing if you can. SSA benefits…what will happen to them. They took so long to get…will I lose them. What if I try…and it doesn’t work out. Those were questions that I didn’t trust myself or just anybody to answer. That’s where MEO’s Certified Benefit’s Specialist came in like a comforter, blanketed with information that helped me make informed decisions every step of the way.

The thing about trying is that you never know how it’s going to work out. It can result in mission accomplished or pride in the fact that, even with a (dis)ability…you tried or continue to try. Some things come when you least expect them. One day, after a long day on back-to-back calls on my first job back into the working space, as a customer service representative (CSR); I sat back in my chair at the end of my shift, took a deep breath, and said a prayer, because I wasn’t sure how long I could continue the job I’d worked for 2 ½ years while learning how to manage my (dis)ability. I noticed that I had a missed call. I listened to the message, and it was from the MEO Human Resources Representative…now my teammate. 😊2 ½ years is a long time, not to give up on getting back to a job within your career space. So, I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to work in a space where I enjoy working with my teammates and my clients…back on the provider side of the table. Determination and patience, pay off. We just don’t know exactly when. 

What if I didn’t try?? Well, let’s not think about that too much😊…this is a good time to ponder what we are thankful for and any positives in our lives and the lives of those connected to us. Sometimes, it may feel like the positives have escaped us and may be hard to find, depending on what we are going through, but if we look hard enough, we find them.

I am thankful for many things, especially life, my family and friends; but also, for my time as a client and completing the Ticket to Work Program (MEO Style). I am thankful for the CEO of MEO, Paula Vieillet, and her heart for people. Without her vision, her advocacy for people with (dis)abilities, and the caring MEO family that she’s created, we wouldn’t be here. I am thankful for the privilege of working with my manager, teammates and clients. I am, also, thankful for the opportunity to share my story and for you, sharing your time to read our blog. 

We know that the holidays are not easy for everyone, but our hope is that if you have to look for something to be thankful for, you won’t have to look too far. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours…and as always, take good care of you!!

 **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/