Respecialising at 52

NickTheBear
NickTheBear Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
edited June 2020 in Work
My symptoms started in 2014, heart attack in 2015 and in late 2017 I finally was diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis. By this time I had been forced out of my job of 11 years. 

Spinal Stenosis is a debilitating illness, it saps your energy given you are in pain 24/7. Exertion, especially standing and walking, brings tiredness and pain. 

I'm sure that it not news to any fellow sufferers. 

What I would like to know is how many people are continuing to work and what types of work they find capable of doing?

I was a Criminal Lawyer, but racing around from court to court, courtroom to courtroom, standing for hours in trial combat and addressing Magistrates' and Judges, is something I just cannot do anymore. I would like to change specialisms, but trying to find someone to teach me new tricks at the age of 52 is proving very difficult. 

I hope someone can offer some suggestions. Take care everyone.

Comments

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 16,682 Championing
    Hi @NickTheBear - Welcome to the community, & thank you for joining, & sharing about yourself. I'm sorry for the difficulties you're facing; it can't be easy. I know how much daily chronic pain exhausts you, & there will be many others here who understand this.
    It does seem a waste of all your knowledge if this couldn't be carried out in some advisory capacity working from home. If not, I hope you find something else that you might enjoy. :)
  • Ails
    Ails Online Community Member Posts: 2,237 Championing
    Hi @NickTheBear and welcome also from me to the Community.  It's nice to meet you and have you on board.  I'm really sorry to hear of your struggles with pain and the fact that you are no longer able to work in your professionalism.  This must be very frustrating for you, but it is never too late to learn and to go on to other things and I wish you well with doing so if that is what you decide to do.  I look forward to seeing you on here and I hope you enjoy your time with us.  If we can be of any help/support to you then please just let us know.  All the best.  :smile:
  • pollyanna1052
    pollyanna1052 Online Community Member Posts: 2,015 Championing
  • Chloe_Alumni
    Chloe_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 10,506 Championing
    Welcome to the community @NickTheBear!

    I'm sorry to hear you had to end your career. Do you have any areas of interest that you would be interested in specialising in?

    Scope have a Support to Work programme which you might be interesting. I also will forward this to employment advisers to see if they have any further suggestions. :)
  • TomO_Alumni
    TomO_Alumni Scope Posts: 7 Connected
    Hi @NickTheBear,

    With 11 years in the role, you will have gained a wealth of experience and skills - that is valuable and transferable to other roles. It can be worth looking at roles within Law (if you are wanting to remain in that field) that can allow you to work from home or provide you with reasonable adjustments. Looking at the Law Society website, they have various suggestions such as taking part in Returner courses, taking short courses and networking with employers. 

    You can find more information here: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/law-careers/career-options-for-solicitors/changing-career-direction/
    It might be worth getting in touch with them to see if they have any ideas or suggestions for you?

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