Finding Employment After SSDI & 17 Years Of Being a Stay At Home Mom in NJ

Bridget_54
Bridget_54 Member Posts: 1
in Long-Term Survivors #1

I am cancer free after being treated for stage 4 colon cancer for many years.  Prior to diagnosis I was, & still am, a stay at home mom.  My life always seems to erupt all at once, so to keep things consistent my marriage of 25 years just ended in divorce this month, my house is about to be sold with very little equity left for me to start over, & I am being discharged from SSDI because I didn't die (one of my few bright spots!).  

I will be 54 this month & have been out of work for 17 years.  I spend my days crying & looking for jobs, but put on my best happy face when my daughter's come home from school. I can't seem to find any resources for someone like me.  I'm too young, or too alive, or have too much money.  Technically I'm not unemployed.  I am not not disabled.  My fear is that I am just no one now.  Just lost in the "other" section.  i keep trying to reach out, but I can't seem to find any help.  I'm desperate for suggestions.  Any ideas are welcome.

 

 

Comments

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,486 Member
    #2
    Bridget, even though you were

    Bridget, even though you were a stay at home mom, there are companies out there who realize that was a full time job.  If you have computer skills that will help, if you don't, then you will need to look for a customer service job.  I can tell you mothers have dealt with so many issues I knew they were good with customer service problems.  They may not be high paying jobs, and you may need to get your foot in the door and work your butt off to show you deserve more.  

    There are company's out there who understand the background but NEVER talk about your cancer.  It is against the law for them to ask if you have any health issues and too often want-to-be-employees tell way too much.  Keep your mouth shut on having had cancer (congratulations on that!)

    Now, put that smiling face on when you go out looking for a job as well as when your daughters come home.   

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #3
    Hi Bridget

     

    Yes is sucks when you don’t die on time, I am blessed to have a wonderful caretaker wife who stood by my side through treatment twice. My doctors gave my 6 months to live back in 2006, I am still here but live with a ton of side effects. I am still working and I thank God everyday for a company that stood with me through all of this. But things are not going so well with the company right now because of the falling price of oil. I am too old and messed up to get another job, who would want someone like me that is nothing but problems. All we can do sometimes is to pray and leave it in God’s hands, it is hard to do at first but the more you do it the easier it becomes. I am praying for you that something good will come your way, God Bless

    Hondo

  • AngelM3
    AngelM3 Member Posts: 3
    #4
    hi

    Hi dear bridget,

    Why can nt you try some volunteer work and find happiness in helping others? Like old aged or disabled or even othet cancer survivors? You can find then that you have lot to do for the society. sometimes you can get experience from there and can even apply for jobs later. Try to join some organisations .  Otherwise you can start up your own business...may be something home-made or something like that. Or you can concentrate on your hobbies about which you were passionate once like drawing or gardening or cooking. Faith is having lots of healing power. You can learn more about religion also if you are interested. Dont cry dear...everything happens for a reason. We may not be able to understand it now. But later everythng will fall into place. Take care. I dont know whether i helped you. These are just suggestions which came to my mind. Take care always. God bless you

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