Our New Normal!
“Helping Others Discover and Live an Unlimited Lifestyle.”
Welcome to our new Dankmeyer blog!! My name is Dawn Miranda, and I am a new amputee of only three years (12/2/2016). I hope this blog page will answer your questions, uplift you through education, and inspire hope that we will get to our new normal together.
This month’s topic to talk about is “Returning to Work”.
This is a topic I get a lot of questions about from patients I see at Dankmeyer and fellow amputee sisters and brothers. Returning to work can be done and it is a different process for everyone. No two person’s health, activity level or lifestyle are the same, so you must plan something that works best for you.
There are a lot of resources out there to start with. The first step is to make an honest assessment of how much time you think you can tolerate when first returning to work. Not everyone can jump right into a 40 hour work week. Once you decide on how much time you want to dedicate to working, then we must look into transportation. Do you own a car? Do you have the right equipment and right permits to drive as an amputee? Can you car pool with someone? Can you use public transportation?
Move onto the next step which entails a little research on returning to work with physical limitations. If you have access to the internet, start searching for information on this topic. If you don’t have access to a computer, do you have internet on your phone? Can you get to the library or can someone from maybe a group you belong to (like a limb loss support group) let you ride to the library to research together? Looking for a job needs to feel fun, have an open mind and let’s explore some options together!
One possibility, if transportation is a concern, is the work at home option. This is really where you can think outside of the box!! Ask your friends! They always know of someone who works from home. There are a lot of reputable companies now using a home workforce. There are also a lot of companies that don’t require upfront money to open up a store front on the internet. Some people you know may do work from home businesses because they have small children or just want to make a little extra holiday or vacation money. Be careful, because job hunting services and the internet in general can have scams! If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. When you are doing your research, or a job search, do be careful where you click and always keep your personal information private.
If you have a resume, polish it up! If you don’t, there are plenty of tools on the internet as well as free classes to help you take your life skills and build a resume. Look up your local vocational return to work office. Each state has one and they are there to help individuals retrain to return to work.
Resources for Maryland residents - just click on the link:
Maryland Department of Budget and Management: Job Seekers with Disabilities
Maryland Department of Labor:Information for Individuals with Disabilities
Maryland Division of Rehabilitative Services (DORS)
Talk to someone at your local house of worship, if you attend. Leave no stone unturned!! I think I once read, “It can take a lot of NO’s to succeed, but all it takes is one YES!! to open a door.” Never stop dreaming you can have a life unlimited!
These tips are informed suggestions. If you do not feel comfortable with them, please do not attempt them. Instead as always contact your medical professional or your prosthetist for help and advice.
If you have a question for me about living as an amputee, ask! And if I don’t know the answer, I will find it for you, and I will leave no stone unturned to help you find your own personal new normal. If there is a topic you would like me to feature please let me know! I want us all to grow strong together. Email me at Dawn@dankmeyer.com. This email is not secure, so if you wish to keep any specific health information private, you should call us!
Dawn Miranda recently joined Dankmeyer, Inc. as a Prosthetist Assistant after relocating from San Antonio, TX. To read more about Dawn on our Clinical Staff page, click here.