Job for teenagers?

[Rasdaan]

Shortly before I was diagnosed with crohn's, I worked at a fast food place. Due to the condition, I would run off to the bathroom often, and I would also get really exhausted about an hour after working, and i would get very light headed...so I had to go on a leave of absence for a long time to this day.

I havent been to my work in a long time, and im starting to feel discouraged about ever going back. What exactly should I do about this? Should I just wait to get better, or just get a job that would be less fast paced? And what kind of job is available for a teenager that wouldn't even be like that?

I don't know...I'm open for some advice

 

[DanH104]

I was in that same boat at one point. I would definitely focus on getting better. You have the rest of your life to work.

 

[shamrock15]

My first job was at McD's, and it was while there that my crohn's made its appearance. Cost me my first girlfriend, a year of university and a whole lot of physical conditioning. For me, regular sleep and eating schedules have proven a real key to managing my disease. Chances are just about any job you can get will have some measure of stress, and you need to learn how to deal with that with regards to your particular challenges. Took me about 10 years to realise I just couldn't sit back and watch the world go by. Hope you find your solution a little quicker!

 

[Rasdaan]

My first job was at McD's, and it was while there that my crohn's made its appearance. Cost me my first girlfriend, a year of university and a whole lot of physical conditioning. For me, regular sleep and eating schedules have proven a real key to managing my disease. Chances are just about any job you can get will have some measure of stress, and you need to learn how to deal with that with regards to your particular challenges. Took me about 10 years to realise I just couldn't sit back and watch the world go by. Hope you find your solution a little quicker!

how did you manage yourself at work? I would get light headed and would have to sit down around an hour after my shift. :/

 

[ruhereyet]

I think I would definitely look for something less fast-paced. Does your Crohn's qualify you for disability? If so, ADA should provide you with some assistance in locating work. Maybe something in an office environment (data-entry or answering phones).

See if UT has a Dept of Rehabilitative Services that you may get assistance from.

Good luck!

 

[Trysha]

Hello Rasdaan
Welcome to the forum.
I would suggest a slower paced job as already suggested.
Rehab services sound like a good idea if your government has such a programme.
Feel better soon
Hugs and best wishes
Trysha

 

[shamrock15]

I was very much of the "hockey player" mentality - if you could move, you did. I also had a very high threshold for pain. Not always the best philosophy for life, but it carried me through for a couple years. Rectal pain for me was the worst part, so it gave me a lot of incentive to hold things in. I was in denial for over half a year that there was anything serious. That stopped when I basically fainted when coming out of the bath tub. Then, it was a whole lot of prednisone while it worked for me. That combination worked for about three years, then the wheels fell off the cart for about the next 5-6 years. Without the strong support of family and friends, I am not sure what would have happened. It actually took the invitation for a day's fishing out on a lake away from restrooms to help get my head back in the game. Literally the day before that, I was using the washroom about every 40 minutes. That day on the lake we had one break in the middle of the day for washrooms, otherwise it was almost 12 hours. No accidents.

I think we do condition ourselves to some extent on our need for washrooms and get worried when there is pressure telling us we should be going. Please note that I have had plenty of days where I still exceeded 20 trips daily since then. I honestly believe there is a capability to override some of those urges, it takes a lot of figuring out over time. It comes with accidents (I have discarded many a pair of underwear when getting back into the workforce). Even now, I don't pass gas lightly. It's a tough thing to do when you are young because it can be really embarrassing. Recognize your illness for what it is and learn how to work within what it offers you. Learn to tell the difference between your gas and real needs for movement. Most of all, honestly try to enjoy yourself. It matters.

 

[SWer]

I worked stocking shelves at Walmart for a while. As a woman they even gave me the cosmetics/healthcare section (lots of small items). I worked at my own pace and did not have to deal with impatient customers because I also did the over night shift. Explain to your boss you can't do the detergent sections because your body can't handle lifting heavy objects for long shifts. See if any local markets or department stores are hiring part-time. Ease into work.

 

[jlm]

I'm not sure about now. But long term a good job to do is in advertising/marketing. I'm a marketing coordinator for a large furniture retailer. It's a desk job. No one watches my beaks or bathroom visits. Plus I can work at home if I need to. I book, organize and pay for all of the advertising we do. Which is over a million a year.