Can you suggest a job I can do? Health problems = job changes

[BewareTheLibrarians]

I’m currently a teacher, working part time, and I’ve been a teacher for about 20 years. Over the last few years though, I’ve been diagnosed with a chronic pain condition and told that it won’t improve - it will stay the same, or worsen. Which was a bit of a blow, understandably. I’m now a few years on from the diagnosis and it’s clear that it’s getting worse. Ive tried to carry on at work as normal, but I can’t. I was signed off for over a month at the end of term as the pain and other symptoms were through the roof, and I could barely even cope with walking upstairs, let alone working. So a pretty miserable situation.

I’m currently in the middle of tests etc to see if these worse symptoms can be “fixed” so I can go back to work, but I also want to be prepared in case it turns out that I can’t go back to teaching.

I’m an English teacher, and I’ve also taught adults previously. If I did change my job I’d need something either working from home (due to pain issues) although office based would also be fine, part time due to fatigue and pain, and preferably involve not talking for long periods of time as that triggers problems (which knocks my teaching/tutoring online ideas in the head!)

Basically a very still and quiet part time job! Do these things exist? I’m good at creating teaching resources, and I love anything (English) language/linguistics based too. I’m also pretty good at writing fiction but that doesn’t bring in a lot of money!

I’m in a bit of a worry spiral at the moment as this will be a really big change, so any ideas are really appreciated

Are you a high school English teacher??? You haven't actually said.

I'm not exactly in that field, but what about tutoring in your own home/their home?
Teaching English to non-English speakers?

Transcribing might be a good option. There are lots of agencies and there's always demand. You could take on as much or as little as you wanted. You could also look at editing perhaps?

@Eleoura yes, a secondary school English teacher. Sadly can’t do tutoring online as I can’t talk for extended periods of time. That might improve if I get some of these worse health problems under control so I’m keeping that one in mind! It’s just the combination, as a teacher, of having talking a fair amount and move around that is making it impossible. It’s really frustrating.

@Stuffthisstuff Transcribing sounds ideal. I’m quite shit at typing but I guess that’s good motivation to get better!

Editing would also be good. I’m not sure if I have the right qualifications or experience but I probably need to be braver and let the employer decide that!

Have you applied for PIP yet? It's not means tested. It wouldn't solve everything but it would ease some of the financial pressure.

I'm sorry you're going through this. It's a big loss to cope with.

Exam marking well paid but seasonal work.

You can set up as self employed for both transcribing and editing. I'm not sure about transcribing as I tend to use people I know rather than agencies, but I think you do a test for them and then work out what level of difficulty you can do.

For editing, have a look at Reedsy.

Good luck!

How about proofreading?

Teaching really is a unique set of pressures isnt it? So often I click on these threads knowing it will be a teacher :(
I have chronic fatigue and have wondered about library work. You can do cover work so limit how much you do until you see if yiu can cope. I mark distance assessments but Im paid pennies.

I do wish Id qualified in something else that I could do now!

Things like marking (or setting) exams - would they be feasible? It might be that you need a collection of various flexible options rather than one main job.

Or office management or administration might be roles where you could use some of your skills and learn the rest. A good, skilled administrator is a valuable member of any office team.

Also, it might be worth giving thought to the kinds of adjustments that would open up roles to you and enable you to manage symptoms. So dictation software, flexible hours, particular chairs or footrests...

Have you looked at Access to Work or any of Remploy 's resources about managing disability in the workplace and ideas on adjustments?

Have you had an occupational health assessment where you are now? Even if ultimately you can't return to your current role they may still have useful insights and suggestions that you can apply elsewhere.

Occupational therapy may also be able to provide ideas on changes and adjustments. If you have any local disability support organisations you might be able to access that kind of thing through them. Or if there is a charity for your condition they may have resources etc.

A lot of living with disability is learning to be creative so you can find alternative ways to achieve goals!

@user16395699 Thanks for all those ideas Yes, it’s a pretty massive loss. I’d just about got my head around losing the ability to do my hobbies, not being able to be active with the kids, and now it’s my entire career at risk. It’s really really shit.

I haven’t applied for PIP yet, but will wait and see what happens with this current round of tests. I’ve had some occupational health intervention at work and they’ve done their best but unfortunately there’s nothing they can do about the walking and talking part of it. They’ve done everything else they can though. I’ll have a look at all the other resources you’ve posted though, they all look really useful so thank you!

@katcatkat exam marking terrifies me! it is good seasonal money though, so I will bear that in mind as an extra

@Stuffthisstuff Thanks, I’ll have look at Reedsy for editing, and see what options are around locally for transcribing. Thank you for the advice

@cheapskatemum Ooh I would love proofreading. That was one of my absolute favourite parts of my job

@GiantToadstool It really is, isn’t it. I didn’t expect it to be so emotional or so physical! I’ve already planned for my intervention groups for next term and I can’t even imagine not being there to go through it with them, as I’ve been with most of them for at least a couple of years. They’ll be furious if I leave (they’re already worried and have sent lovely emails which makes it harder. If they didn’t like our lessons it would be much easier to leave!)

Not sure about being a librarian. I’ve heard horror stories hence the username Possibly a bookshop, like You’ve Got Mail but without the threat of closure/unexpected Tom Hanks.

I’m sorry to hear about your chronic fatigue. It’s a lot to deal with isn’t it I hope you stay well - or just upright, whichever is easier! I bet you have lots of transferable skills if you ever need a change