What job can I do?

[Stacey1992]

I had my left arm amputated 4 years ago and since then I have just had a few temporary jobs and this is my first week since I’ve finished my last one. I am really wanting to look for a permanent job now but I struggle in most things and was just wondering if anyone has any ideas as to what I could do?

Also, I was just wondering if anyone else has a physical disability what job they do and what reasonable adjustments they had when they went into that job? Thank you

What did you before you had your arm amputated? Sorry that you’re struggling to find permanent work.

I lost the use of my left arm 9 years ago, and was able to continue in my job. I type on a small keyboard as I can reach over it much more effectively, and use the sticky keys tool in Windows accessibility. I was offered speech recognition software, but find typing easier.
My car is adapted, so once I got an automatic, that was easy to fix. I get a pass on carrying stuff around, but use things like a wheely box to move things around when in the office.

What qualifications do you have OP? And what’s your financial/domestic situation? Are you able to consider new areas of work, requiring study or training? Or would that be difficult because of other responsibilities?

@Whitewinespritzer thank you for your reply! I worked in a lettings agency (admin) for 5 years before it happened. I originally planned on going back but really struggled to adjust so I left

@CMOTDibbler thank you for your reply! That’s really encouraging to hear that you were able to continue doing your job! It really inspires me when people in the same situations to me are able to live life normally. I didn’t even know you could get speech recognition software!

@QuaterMiss thank you for your reply! I have A levels but no degree and a few admin qualifications (touch typing etc- obviously can’t do that properly now though!, and an admin nvq). I live with my parents (no children) so I suppose that probably does give me more flexibility to do more training- I’m just not sure what in though!

What are you interested in? What would be your dream job (bearing in mind talent and ability)?

And is there any reason why a degree wouldn’t be the best place to start?

A people job, where relationships are more important that what you physically need to do, sounds feasible.

Do you like any groups of people to work with? I was wondering about preschoolers.

Hello OP
Am well done for wanting to work still. I am humbled .
In my job (self employed) I reconcile invoices, its all online, and i seem to only use my right hand and the mouse for my keyboard.
my maths has improved well beyond my low grade GCSE !
I also presume your voice works just fine as well, not that I’ve ever worked in one but a call centre springs to mind.
Good luck job hunting..

If you live within a commutable distance of an Ikea store I would seriously consider applying for a position with them. They are a fantastically inclusive and accomodating employer with a very progressive attitude. They would both value you and your skills and work hard to make everything as good for you as they could.

@MashedTaters Thank you so much for your reply! Yes, quite a lot of people have recommended Ikea to me over the years. A new store opened very close to me about a year ago and I've applied for 3 different jobs there but unfortunately didn't get them- I still check back regularly though to see if anything's come up- although I haven't had any retail experience though and also it was in the local news at the time that an enormous amount of people applied for jobs there when it first opened- so that's possibly why I haven't been getting them

@QuaterMiss thank you so much for your replies! When I first lost my arm so many people suggested that I go to university and study as my life was obviously going to take quite a dramatic turn. I did order a few prospectuses a few years ago but never found anything that I thought I could really see myself doing. In my local area, about 2 years ago, I got put on a government funded scheme for people who'd had accidents/illnesses where their physical circumstances were changed dramatically (like mine) and you went on placements at different jobs to see what you could physically do. One of the placements I did was reception work in a gp surgery. I really loved that and found that it wasn't impossible to do with only one hand. After that I then got a temporary contract with another surgery (it was 10 weeks to cover an existing employees sick leave) but I've never been able to get another job like that since. So I suppose for my circumstances and qualification levels that would probably be my dream job at the moment (it's not very exciting, I know!). Once again, thank you so much for taking the time to reply!

You seem to have answered your own question!

By the way, there is absolutely no need to thank every poster individually. (No one else ever does ...)

@QuaterMiss sorry! I hadn’t taken any notice of that!

Op this sounds like the kind of disability that could be adapted to in the workplace. Just get applying for jobs? Have you applied for many?

To start working back in the business, I wish to start with a leadership and management course. preferably looking for some online courses in the same field that can help me get a recognized qualification.
I came across this online course providing organization www.theccm.co.uk/. Anyone else doing something similar?