Working With a SCI
In my last blog, I talked about looking for a job and trying to navigate how to work and keep my benefits. As a person with a SCI, I rely on my benefits to help me financially and with caregiving hours.
I recently graduated at the end of 2022 with a Masters in Counseling. I felt led to pursue this career path because I want to help others and talking to people is something I can do independently that my injury doesn’t interfere with. It is interesting because I think being a therapist in a wheelchair will actually enhance my ability to inspire and help others. If I was told when I was younger, that I would become a mental health therapist I would have laughed.
The last thing I wanted to do was listen to other people’s problems. Prior to my injury and even a few years after, I never thought I would have ended up in this field. I couldn’t imagine how I could be empathetic and listen to other people’s struggles when I’m living with a SCI. It is funny how God and life works out. Sometimes the very thing we tell ourselves we would or could never do is what we end up doing.
One of the many lessons I have learned over these almost 13 years is to roll with the punches. Life is so much easier when you go with the flow instead of stressing and worrying about how things didn’t go as planned. I know that if my injury never happened, I would not have the education I have achieved and would not be in the field of mental health.
Now, being where I am, I can’t imagine doing anything else. I love what I do and get to inspire and motivate people to overcome the challenges in their life and become the best versions of themselves. I am excited to announce that I recently accepted a part time job position in a private practice.
One of the best things about this job is that it is in the same city as I live so I don’t have to drive far. One of my fears prior to working was having to get up extra early to make sure I got to work on time. Thankfully, this is not an issue I have to worry about because of how close it is.
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Another great thing about working in a private practice is that I’m in charge of making my own schedule. I can plan what time I see my clients and have sessions. I didn’t realize the benefits of being able to make your own schedule. I never planned on starting at a private practice. I figured I would start out at a county job or at an agency where I could make decent money but have great benefits. I was so focused on having the benefits because I figured I would lose the ones I have now because I started working. After doing research and talking with other people, I realized I was wrong.
There are programs out there that can help you keep some of your benefits while you are working. My ultimate goal is to be as independent as possible. When I first broke my neck, I believed my life was over. I thought I would never have a future, never be independent again, never drive, never find true love, never be happy, the list goes on.
Today, I can confidently and proudly say that I have a future, I’m independent, I drive, I found someone who loves me for who I am, and I am happy. Hard work and determination pays off. Never give up, persevere.