I'm curious...

[Pruddock]

Micheal, I don't know you and I am not sure what your disability is, although it sounds like some sort of dystrophy, but if you are into art and design and you have the ability to type and work a forum quite well I would say that web design would probably be one of the most beneficial things you could teach yourself to do. And you can teach yourself to do it. Trust me, I've done it and you seem just as, if not more, technically capable than I am. It's pulling in plenty of money for me as a part time job and I know people who are making damn good money doing it.

*DISCLAIMER* I'm not trying to jump in on this thread from a political standpoint anymore, I've just been reading and thought this sounded like an idea you might want to look into. If you need help or have any questions feel free to pm me. This is for you and Ricky as well as it sounds like the two of you are in the same boat.

PR

 

[TxMomto4]

I'm really not trying to be insensitive in any way, but all disabilities range, and perhaps that is a job that they can handle, and that's why they love it. I feel that I have much more to provide the work force than the limited opportunities my one disability prevents me from doing, and should be compensated equally. If not, than I will stay home and do my artwork, focus on a reptile breeding business, and make money as the opportunities come. It might sound selfish to some, but to me it's life, and I won't deny my own self a quality of life and total equality based on what others consider to be jobs that a handicapped person should readily accept.

Well it is disguised as a job description that the employee must lift a certain weight limit, but I consider that discrimination. If the only task the employee was obliged to do was lift heavy weights, than I would be unreasonably naive to call it discrimination, as I couldn't do the job required. But I feel that there are many other tasks that the store needs done, so to have the weight limit is discriminating in my opinion.

It was cleaning restaurants, not technically janitorial work. I also helped my mother as she needed a ride anyways, and it was a way to make a little money. I did it because she was also there to help, so doing it solo would be highly difficult. We usually finished in two to three hours, and made decent pay based on the job, not hourly wage. Janitorial work would have a meager pay, and would be based on an hourly wage. So my earnings would be stunted by my disability, and inability to work at a quick enough pace, whereas it was unaffected while working with my mother as we alternated tasks, and I was able to clean more efficiently that way.

Some jobs do have lifting requirements. When I was running an Equine breeding and lesson farm, I would have never hired someone who could not lift a minimum of 50 lbs (that is the LEAST of the lifting there and that is only one sack of feed). At 120 lbs with a broken back (came off a OTTB I was retraining), I was lifting 100lbs of feed and if someone couldn't keep up then they would not have been of use to me. Same as when I worked as a stable hand and barn manager... I had to be able to lift 50 lbs and operate machinery AND be able to handle unruly 1500 + lb stud horses. If I was unable, then I should be looking for work in another field.

Have you (you might be... I am new here) thought about going back to college? What about working in a school cafeteria or in the office there? Kids keep you young! (unless they are your's then they make you age! LOL)

 

[Michael823]

Michael, everyone has limits on what job they can do, and most people don't spring out of bed singing 'Hallelujah!' on work days. That's reality.
I could refuse to work unless I can be a classical ballerina. My total lack of coordination, experience, training and physical stature, along with my age would ensure I'd be able to cry 'foul' and stay on state benefits forever.

Definitely not the same! I've had jobs before, it's not like I am oblivious to the disdain people have for waking up early for work. I'm not staying on disability until I get drafted by the Celtics, I am simply not going to be treated as second rate, and be criticized for exercising my right to be equally compensated for a decent job, that's all. I'm also not saying forever either, as clearly some of you do not understand how badly I wish that I could make my own earnings with fair compensation for my skill set. I will waste no more time explaining a situation to those who haven't lived it, and will condemn me regardless.

 

[TxMomto4]

Michael, everyone has limits on what job they can do, and most people don't spring out of bed singing 'Hallelujah!' on work days. That's reality.
I could refuse to work unless I can be a classical ballerina. My total lack of coordination, experience, training and physical stature, along with my age would ensure I'd be able to cry 'foul' and stay on state benefits forever.

OMW!! I almost had soda all over my screen. Sorry, but kudos and I have ALWAYS wanted to be a classical ballarina but trip over my own two feet - that and a jockey, but due to my height, I would have never made it as. I was mad at my mom for YEARS (I was 5'6" when I was 12 and topped out at 5'7") as she was only 5'3" and I wanted to either be VERY SHORT to be a jockey or VERY TALL (5'10") to be a competitive jumper. Stupid genetics....

 

[Michael823]

Micheal, I don't know you and I am not sure what your disability is, although it sounds like some sort of dystrophy, but if you are into art and design and you have the ability to type and work a forum quite well I would say that web design would probably be one of the most beneficial things you could teach yourself to do. And you can teach yourself to do it. Trust me, I've done it and you seem just as, if not more, technically capable than I am. It's pulling in plenty of money for me as a part time job and I know people who are making damn good money doing it.

*DISCLAIMER* I'm not trying to jump in on this thread from a political standpoint anymore, I've just been reading and thought this sounded like an idea you might want to look into. If you need help or have any questions feel free to pm me. This is for you and Ricky as well as it sounds like the two of you are in the same boat.

PR

My brother is actually really astute with learning similar things, and we will "hopefully" be taking our grandparents site over and doing the upkeep, sales, etc... This is the type of thing that would interest me, it's just finding the opportunities.

 

[TxMomto4]

Micheal, I don't know you and I am not sure what your disability is, although it sounds like some sort of dystrophy, but if you are into art and design and you have the ability to type and work a forum quite well I would say that web design would probably be one of the most beneficial things you could teach yourself to do. And you can teach yourself to do it. Trust me, I've done it and you seem just as, if not more, technically capable than I am. It's pulling in plenty of money for me as a part time job and I know people who are making damn good money doing it.

*DISCLAIMER* I'm not trying to jump in on this thread from a political standpoint anymore, I've just been reading and thought this sounded like an idea you might want to look into. If you need help or have any questions feel free to pm me. This is for you and Ricky as well as it sounds like the two of you are in the same boat.

PR

I think that is an excellent idea!

 

[Michael823]

I think that is an excellent idea!

Indeed it is ! It seems like online web design and graphic design are the most logical ways to use creativity and turn it into a career. Although I love drawing, painting, etc... it seems that it has little place financially in this economy, and most deigns are sold via online. I get much more interest in my original artwork, but it hardly ever manifests into a purchase. Right now my only evolution would be web design, graphic design, and selling prints, T-shirts, magnets, etc...

 

[starsevol]

Definitely not the same! I've had jobs before, it's not like I am oblivious to the disdain people have for waking up early for work. I'm not staying on disability until I get drafted by the Celtics, I am simply not going to be treated as second rate, and be criticized for exercising my right to be equally compensated for a decent job, that's all. I'm also not saying forever either, as clearly some of you do not understand how badly I wish that I could make my own earnings with fair compensation for my skill set. I will waste no more time explaining a situation to those who haven't lived it, and will condemn me regardless.

What you fail to realize is, in the economy MANY people are working without fair conpensation for their "skill set". ANY job is better than collecting a check, whether you think it's worth your time or not. How many college graduates are flipping burgers these days because employers in their chosen fields are not hiring?

My husband and I own our own business. We don't take vacations and work 50plus hours a week, 6 days a week. Due to the economy we are now making under 40k a year, and that is BOTH us us together!
Is this "fair compensation for our skill set"??
And yet here we are!!
And in 21 years I have never jumped out of bed cheering because I had to go to work!!

 

[diamondlil]

OMW!! I almost had soda all over my screen. Sorry, but kudos and I have ALWAYS wanted to be a classical ballarina but trip over my own two feet - that and a jockey, but due to my height, I would have never made it as. I was mad at my mom for YEARS (I was 5'6" when I was 12 and topped out at 5'7") as she was only 5'3" and I wanted to either be VERY SHORT to be a jockey or VERY TALL (5'10") to be a competitive jumper. Stupid genetics....

5'2" here, and I lost the guts to pilot a thoroughbred when a hunter bolted with me at 10! And about the lifting requirements on yards, having spent the last year helping my friend at the stables she worked at, no wonder she had to have an osteopath straighten her out every coupe of months.

 

[Pruddock]

My brother is actually really astute with learning similar things, and we will "hopefully" be taking our grandparents site over and doing the upkeep, sales, etc... This is the type of thing that would interest me, it's just finding the opportunities.

No need to FIND the opportunities, create them. Best thing you can do is find a free hosting service (I think the Google empire is doing this now) and buy a few domains AFTER you've learned about the simple things like code, basic design, and SEO (important!!!!). Then, build a few sample site templates and create yourself a website showing your work and getting your name out there. There are also countless sites (99designs.com for one) that allow you to compete in contests for free and get some notoriety and money, and many others that will let you post templates to sell or buy templates from you. The web is a freaking AMAZING place to make a few quick bucks and I promise you you can learn this stuff in a week (not exaggerating I watched tutorials for a Saturday from 7am-2am and then played around for a few days and watched a few more tutorials and now I've created probably 40 sites for people over the past year).

On that note, I'm glad you're looking into this option as I think it is a great one for you and your brother to look into and I always like to see more competition in the industry Needless to say I'm a competitive SOB, so watch out :devil01:

 

[diamondlil]

Definitely not the same! I've had jobs before, it's not like I am oblivious to the disdain people have for waking up early for work. I'm not staying on disability until I get drafted by the Celtics, I am simply not going to be treated as second rate, and be criticized for exercising my right to be equally compensated for a decent job, that's all. I'm also not saying forever either, as clearly some of you do not understand how badly I wish that I could make my own earnings with fair compensation for my skill set. I will waste no more time explaining a situation to those who haven't lived it, and will condemn me regardless.

Hold on, when I was supporting my sons and myself cleaning toilets and packing fruit, I already had my degree and had worked as a residential social worker supporting adults with learning disabilities to live in community housing before i had the boys. I kept getting turned down for jobs because I was overqualified. At no point did I think I was being shortchanged for my skill set, I just needed to put food on the table and keep a roof over our heads.

 

[TxMomto4]

Indeed it is ! It seems like online web design and graphic design are the most logical ways to use creativity and turn it into a career. Although I love drawing, painting, etc... it seems that it has little place financially in this economy, and most deigns are sold via online. I get much more interest in my original artwork, but it hardly ever manifests into a purchase. Right now my only evolution would be web design, graphic design, and selling prints, T-shirts, magnets, etc...

posters sell well too...

 

[TxMomto4]

5'2" here, and I lost the guts to pilot a thoroughbred when a hunter bolted with me at 10! And about the lifting requirements on yards, having spent the last year helping my friend at the stables she worked at, no wonder she had to have an osteopath straighten her out every coupe of months.

Yep, I have had to go to a chiropractor since I was 8 due to my scoliosis. Yes, a run away hunter can be a scary thing! I loved to jump (2 kids ago... haven't since), but I HATE English saddles. HAHA Would rather ride bareback.

 

[Ricky87]

The thing is though, that once you make the decision as a disabled person to get a "meager" job that suits your ability your making a commitment to stall your other talents and abilities for the time being. I'm an artist, not by choice, but by design. I love to create art, and web design is the kind of thing I definitely could do that would bring in money and allow me to build on my creativity. Thank you very much Pruddock, and I appreciate the help!!. I've already built a website for my mom, though she hasn't paid the 15$ for the domain name to launch it yet. I'm supposed to be handling my grandparents website too, but since I have zero experience they're slightly reluctant, even though it's their idea in the first place.

The thing about college too is that I was forced to drop-out of high-school due to me getting sick all the time so college doesn't seem realistic. I had to suffer for years without a clear path forward, because of that decision. Now I'm really focusing on my art and hoping to turn art money into a reptile business along with maybe a small studio, and over time establish a breeding business along with art, designs, shirts, etc; The skies the limit.

I don't think people realize how hard it is in society to be a disabled person, and the way forward isn't nearly as direct as it is with perfectly healthy people. Especially when your born into a poor family. It's SO hard, but to assume we all wallow in the limitations of our disabilities and accept SSI for nothing in return is wrong. No lie, it is very hard and when you aren't selling any artwork it hurts your dreams, but I just try to keep pushing forward. I'm just trying to establish a collection of my art right now so that someday soon I can break through to make a stable income. That's as American as it get's IMO, and it's no different to kids my age on financial aid learning to become professional's of their craft. My way just happens to be unique so automatically it's going to get ridiculed. I can't help that, but I know whats in my best interest in that's all that really matters!.

 

[diamondlil]

Ok, now I'm confused. I thought one of you was training to become a dog trainer and the other wants to be an artist?

 

[Ricky87]

Ok, now I'm confused. I thought one of you was training to become a dog trainer and the other wants to be an artist?

Correction; both of us are artist's, one of us wants to become a dog trainer; That's Micheal. I love dog's and dog training, but it's more just to enjoy the company of my own dog's at this point. I'm not trying to be smug at all so take no offense, but I could show you some of my artwork?. I'm working on one right now actually, and I wouldn't ,mind showing you what I do. It's not all that, but you might like it!.

 

[danielle]

I want to see I don't have an artistic bone in my body!!

 

[Ricky87]

I want to see I don't have an artistic bone in my body!!

Here's on I'm working on right now. I have somebody in California who bought one of my paintings last year, and was looking for one again this year. Unfortunately he wanted one more similar to what he bought last year, so I started in on this one in hopes it can be that piece. It's still very basic, but I'll keep adding new things to it until it's done. BTW, sorry in advance about the quality. No good lighting today, but hopefully your able to see beneath the glare in some places. Here it is;

^^^ This last one is just a sculpture I did a few weeks ago. Nothing serious, just something that was a fun break from canvas painting. At least for a little while!.

 

[TxMomto4]

The thing is though, that once you make the decision as a disabled person to get a "meager" job that suits your ability your making a commitment to stall your other talents and abilities for the time being. I'm an artist, not by choice, but by design. I love to create art, and web design is the kind of thing I definitely could do that would bring in money and allow me to build on my creativity. Thank you very much Pruddock, and I appreciate the help!!. I've already built a website for my mom, though she hasn't paid the 15$ for the domain name to launch it yet. I'm supposed to be handling my grandparents website too, but since I have zero experience they're slightly reluctant, even though it's their idea in the first place.

No offense intended in this at all, but your comment "making a commitment to stall your other talents and abilities for the time being" applies to 90% of society. It's called being an adult and working to pay bills. I think once you start handling your grandparents site that they will see you are able to do it.

The thing about college too is that I was forced to drop-out of high-school due to me getting sick all the time so college doesn't seem realistic. I had to suffer for years without a clear path forward, because of that decision. Now I'm really focusing on my art and hoping to turn art money into a reptile business along with maybe a small studio, and over time establish a breeding business along with art, designs, shirts, etc; The skies the limit.

Again, no offense, but are you aware of the amount of people who had to drop out of HS, but then got their GED (some YEARS later), and then went to college. Colleges no longer discriminate against GEDs. They are treated just like a diploma. You can not use your past as a crutch for your future. I am sorry to hear about how sick you were. I can tell you right now as a past breeder of horses and dogs, that you only make money when there is a market for that animal. Some years you will do GREAT and make money selling your reptiles, and other years, you will be lucky to break even. Breeding (at least with quality horses and dogs) when done right with quality stock is a hobby.

I don't think people realize how hard it is in society to be a disabled person, and the way forward isn't nearly as direct as it is with perfectly healthy people. Especially when your born into a poor family. It's SO hard, but to assume we all wallow in the limitations of our disabilities and accept SSI for nothing in return is wrong. No lie, it is very hard and when you aren't selling any artwork it hurts your dreams, but I just try to keep pushing forward. I'm just trying to establish a collection of my art right now so that someday soon I can break through to make a stable income. That's as American as it get's IMO, and it's no different to kids my age on financial aid learning to become professional's of their craft. My way just happens to be unique so automatically it's going to get ridiculed. I can't help that, but I know whats in my best interest in that's all that really matters!.

Sadly, I am FULLY aware how society treats disabled people. Not everyone in society is that way. That would be like a black person saying they could not go out and get a job because there are still racist people in society, and YES that is the same thing. There will always be racist, discriminatory pricks in the world. Learn to ignore them. They aren't worth your time. LMAO at poor family.... welcome to 80% of American family's who are lucky to make ends meet and be able to feed and cloth their kids. Trust me, my husband is the only one able to work right now and we have FOUR kids. You can not use your past as a crutch.

As for the not selling art, most great artist did not become famous until after their death. I AM NOT SAYING for you to die. That would be terrible and very sad. I am just stating a fact. Look throughout history and you will see I'm telling you the truth. Try collecting as many pieces of your work as you can, and open a gallery or do a..I don't remember what they are called...but one of those things where you have like a week to display and sell your art.

 

[Ricky87]

No offense intended in this at all, but your comment "making a commitment to stall your other talents and abilities for the time being" applies to 90% of society. It's called being an adult and working to pay bills. I think once you start handling your grandparents site that they will see you are able to do it.

Again, no offense, but are you aware of the amount of people who had to drop out of HS, but then got their GED (some YEARS later), and then went to college. Colleges no longer discriminate against GEDs. They are treated just like a diploma. You can not use your past as a crutch for your future. I am sorry to hear about how sick you were. I can tell you right now as a past breeder of horses and dogs, that you only make money when there is a market for that animal. Some years you will do GREAT and make money selling your reptiles, and other years, you will be lucky to break even. Breeding (at least with quality horses and dogs) when done right with quality stock is a hobby.

Sadly, I am FULLY aware how society treats disabled people. Not everyone in society is that way. That would be like a black person saying they could not go out and get a job because there are still racist people in society, and YES that is the same thing. There will always be racist, discriminatory pricks in the world. Learn to ignore them. They aren't worth your time. LMAO at poor family.... welcome to 80% of American family's who are lucky to make ends meet and be able to feed and cloth their kids. Trust me, my husband is the only one able to work right now and we have FOUR kids. You can not use your past as a crutch.

As for the not selling art, most great artist did not become famous until after their death. I AM NOT SAYING for you to die. That would be terrible and very sad. I am just stating a fact. Look throughout history and you will see I'm telling you the truth. Try collecting as many pieces of your work as you can, and open a gallery or do a..I don't remember what they are called...but one of those things where you have like a week to display and sell your art.

I don't make any claims into what decisions make your life so difficult for you. My past is no crutch, and my condition is past, present and future. I don't have four kid's and I don't add that burden on to your life to cause you stress. I commit myself to my future through my art, and through my other ambitions and I do put the work in.

Personally I find your philosophy on art to be ironic too. You put more focus into the money I create than the art, as though money outweighs talent. Why should I waste my talent to make a shallow living. I could be one of the few to really make an impression and, like it or not, that's what I believe. I don't sit up at night asking god why me, because I just don't play that game. Somehow it is the same "Why me?" people who save all their blame for people on government assistance to the point where they actually feel that they suffer more for my disability than I do. That's the crazy part that I don't understand, but I do know that's just some people and I take it for what it is!.