If you could do any job regardless of disability

66Mustang

(I made this thread about a year ago but I thought I would do it again as there are a lot of new posters on the coffee lounge and I’m really interested to hear what their answers would be.)

If you could do any job putting aside any limitations caused by your disability, ignoring any qualifications you might need, and regardless of the salary, what would it be?

For me it would be a RAF / army pilot or a scientist. I like the idea of serving in the forces but think I would want to do something more specialised than a squaddie (no disrespect to them at all) and I always loved planes and flying so I would love to be a pilot. To combine the two would be great. Or, I’d love to work on the latest developments in the scientific community, preferably at somewhere like CERN!

I am looking forward to hearing your answers!

leeCal

I’ve been trying to decide which occupation of several I would’ve preferred but I can’t choose from among them. So I’ll list them in no particular order.
comedian, pilot, musician, singer, psychologist, forestry commission. monk. Computer programmer.  There. I’ve actually had a little to do with all of those in my life but never did any as a long term full time job.
please excuse me being vague on this topic.

66Mustang

No excuse needed that’s a really interesting answer.

I’d be interested to hear what you have had to do with being a monk? That sounds intriguing. Actually they all sound very interesting so any stories you have are more than welcome

leeCal

Ah, now being a monk is something I enquired about because I have a religious side to me which is quite strong but I was told that I was too old. That was a Christian denomination and possibly the largest. Since then I’ve become interested in Buddhism but on a practical and philosophical level rather than a religious one. So from time to time I may be found deep in meditation...or asleep...hard to tell I expect! 

I once took flying lessons and flew a piper tomahawk and a cessna, I preferred the tomahawk, but one very windy day I lost my nerve slightly and had to relinquish control back to my trainer and I knew then that I probably shouldn’t continue with training. The idea was to become a pilot and work flying taxi planes in Oz, something I could easily have done if I’d had the nerve for windy days, ha ha.

A hobby of mine is writing jokes, though I haven’t done so for a while lately.

i used to play bass guitar in rock bands and tried it professionally once in a band no one would know in London in the early eighties. I virtually starved that’s how much we were paid!

.i studied psychology at A level in 1991 and continued in to uni as a mature student. I didn’t finish my BA for various reasons, mostly domestic. Having become familiar with computers at uni I began programming in Prolog, an artificial intelligence language and did that exclusively for several years as an amateur.

working for the forestry commission was a pipe dream which for some reason I never realised but I did learn carpentry well enough to work as a carpenter for several years.

i hope I haven’t bored anyone! 🙂 this all looks like my Cv!

janer1967

I have a few 

Lawyer
Counsellor
Food critic
Travel inspector 
Sunbed attendant on tropical beach 

woodbine

DM at the DWP, then I could ok every application for ESA and PIP.

Other than that I always wanted to be a political/economic journalist for a serious newspaper.

And does the ambition to be boss for the day in my own home count as "any job"

janer1967

Good one @woodbine

66Mustang

@leeCal thanks for sharing those stories, they were really interesting to read. Like your pilot training I too have given up on things, after discovering there were hidden challenges I was not quite up to or simply that I was not as good as I thought I was! I often wonder whether it is better to know when to give up or to just persevere regardless. What is the Forestry Commission all about? I have a family member who works as a tree surgeon and is often talking about them.

66Mustang

@janer1967 thank you for posting. They all sound like great choices. a travel inspector sounds cool.

66Mustang

@woodbine thanks for sharing being a DM is a good idea haha but not sure about OKing everyone as there are people who lie to get benefits they don’t need. I agree though that a lot of people do get denied the benefits they need and that is unfair.

A journalist for a serious newspaper sounds interesting too. It is something I have looked into myself albeit not a political journalist.

RAwarrior

@66Mustang

I would have loved to have been an archaeologist or a a museum curator. 

I would also have liked to work with wildlife (no surprise there 🤣)

leeCal

@66Mustang this article explains it well
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forestry_Commission
My main idea was to be out in the forests and woodlands, that’s what I hankered after along with a sense of freedom.

WestHam06

Hi @66Mustang, 
                            Thanks for doing this thread again. I think I may have answered in the previous thread but if it is please ok I would like to answer again. I would have loved to have been in the Army, it is still my passion and even though I know it will not happen, I just can't quite let it go. There is something for me about serving Queen and Country. I know someone who is currently serving and it sounds exactly how I imagine it. It really hurts to know that I was not made for that but I try to tell myself I was put on this earth for another reason, I just haven't quite worked out what that is yet. I'm sorry to have gone a little in depth, thank you for reading. 

janer1967

@WestHam06 The stuff you are doing around educating kids is something to be proud of and in a way serving your country just not in the way you think 

66Mustang

@RAwarrior an archaeologist or museum curator both sound awesome. Haha I guessed you may like to also work with wildlife.

66Mustang

Thanks @leeCal yes my family member who is a tree surgeon is similar to what you describe. He also doesn’t like cutting down trees, that’s his worst job, he prefers looking after them and keeping them in good health.

66Mustang

@WestHam06 thanks for the explanation and I agree that realising you are not going to be able to do what you really wanted to do is something that takes some coming to terms with. I’m also at the same stage as you that I don’t know what I am here to do, or what I want to do that is within my ability! @janer1967 is right that you have something to be proud of though

RAwarrior

@66Mustang

I have always been interested in archaeology and history.

As you know I really love wildlife so as you say, it’s no surprise that I would like to work with wildlife😁

Chloe_Scope

Some great answers!

I would love to be a:

• Photographer
• SENCo
• Occupational therapist
• Author
• Child psychologist 

I appreciate that it's a broad spectrum!   

66Mustang

@RAwarrior Do you have a favourite period of history to look at?

66Mustang

@Chloe_Scope yes very broad but all great ideas! What do you like taking photos of most of all?

RAwarrior

@66Mustang

Yes Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome.😁

janer1967

@RAwarrior Very interesting subjects I have been to Egypt a few times and the history is fascinating, some of the sights make your hair stand on end eg Valley of the Kings

As long as you can get over the beggars and constant harassment

RAwarrior

@janer1967

I have been to Egypt and I understand what you mean about The Valley of the Kings. I was amazed by the sheer size of many of the tombs especially since they were constructed without the machinery we have today. 

Many people think about the tomb of Tutankhamun which is quite small in comparison to the other less known tombs. There are also several tombs which are not usually opened to the public including Seti I and Ramses II which are even larger.

The tomb paintings were also amazing 
😁

I don’t know if you managed to visit The Tombs of the Nobles. I think that these tombs have some of the most beautiful tomb paintings that I have ever seen.

I understand what you mean about the harassment and I found it to be particularly bad at the tourist sites. The people that guard the tombs in my experience were the worst but they are actually paid by the government to do that job so are like civil servants so they are not supposed to harass visitors.

janer1967

Glad you have also had the chance to visit, I didnt go to the tombs you mention. I did however go to a night visit where you sat in an outside theatre and there was a light and sound show with the stories of the old and it was all projected over a lake. Was very surreal and amazing, sorry cant remember the place it was called

RAwarrior

@janer1967

I think you went to Karnak Temple😁

It’s not one temple but it’s made up of a series of temples built by different pharaohs.

If you ever go there again and you need any information about sites to visit, please send me a message😁

There are lots of online videos these days on YouTube which feature Egypt which are very interesting.

If you have the Channel Five catch up channel, there have been several programmes about Egypt recently which might interest you😁

66Mustang

@RAwarrior that’s really cool. I enjoyed reading your Egypt stories. However, I’m especially interested that you like Ancient Rome as the Romans are my favourite people from history. I like how they were so civilised and also that they were forward thinking i.e. women had a lot of rights compared to other civilisations. (Yes I know they made slaves out of their enemies but everyone did back then.) I also like that they had so many good inventions and engineering, some of which once lost weren’t re-invented until as late as 1900 I believe!!

One of my favourite films is Gladiator which is obviously not historically accurate in its story but is quite accurate in how it depicts society, I like it a lot. It is about Ancient Rome if you hadn’t already guessed.

janer1967

I think you are right @RAwarrior about it being Karnak temple. I did a cruise down the Nile from Luxor to Aswan

WestHam06

Thank you so much @66Mustang and @janer1967 for your kind and encouraging words they really mean a lot. @66Mustang I hope that you are able to find something that you enjoy doing, I do believe there is something out there for everyone, it is just finding what that something is. Thank you. 

RAwarrior

@66Mustang

Thank you very much😁

That’s really interesting and you know a lot about Ancient Rome😁

I also like the film Gladiator👍

I have managed to visit several Roman sites both here and in Italy. I think Pompeii and Herculaneum are some probably two of the most amazing places that I have ever visited. 

I have watched lots of television programmes with Andrew Wallace-Hadril who I find explains things really well as although I am really interested in Ancient Rome, I know a lot more about Ancient Egypt. 

Regarding the engineering, I think the drainage system in London was built by the Romans and only replaced by the Victorians but I am not sure.

I also like the programmes with Mary Beard who also explains things really well. 

I don’t know if you ever saw Pompeii Live which was on Channel Five a few years ago which was really interesting. There is also a Pompeii Live video on YouTube featuring the Pompeii exhibition that was held at the British Museum in 2011.

 I also remember a programme with Guy De La Bedoyere about Roman Britain where he went around  Britain on a motorbike visiting Roman sites. You might be able to find clips of it on YouTube.😁

RAwarrior

@janer1967

I bet the Nile cruise was really great because you get to visit so many sites when you go on a cruise. I went on a Nile cruise several years ago.

During my last visits to Egypt I went to the sites independently without being on a tour so I had lots of time at the different sites. I got to visit a lot of the less visited sites. However, I wasn’t as physically disabled as I am now so I don’t think that I could visit all of the sites these days. 

janer1967

@RAwarrior sounds amazing I agree yours are not always best way as they limit time but they do give good info from the guide and also the harassment is less 

I too went when I wasnt disabled dont think I could go now 

66Mustang

@WestHam06 thank you and I agree that everyone has a place in society, and can contribute in some way if they want to, it’s just about finding out what it is that they can do.

@RAwarrior thanks for the reply I have seen some of the programmes you mention and enjoyed them. Also, I think the BBC make some really good educational documentaries, or at least they used to. I don’t really know that much about the Romans, I just enjoy learning about them, hehe! I am sure you know much more than me!

66Mustang

Speaking of “harassment” while travelling...Some family members of mine often go on holiday to Africa and they get a lot of people asking them to buy stuff, or just slightly aggressively asking for money. They learnt a trick which is to wear sunglasses, not make eye contact, and then pretend you are talking on the phone and then people mostly leave you alone.

66Mustang

Another job I wouldn’t mind doing is cellar master for a whisky / cognac / champagne company

Richard_Scope

Travel the world looking for cryptids and shamanic experiences with indigenous tribes and should I survive, write a book about it.

66Mustang

Richard_Scope said:

Travel the world looking for cryptids and shamanic experiences with indigenous tribes and should I survive, write a book about it.

Wow that’s different and it sounds like an awesome thing to do!

janer1967

Thanks for the tips @66Mustang would be wary of having phone taken out of my hands 

Like they do offer to take your photo then you have to pay them to get phone or camera back 

This is so common at the pyramids 

66Mustang

That is a good point that the phone may be snatched. I didn’t think of that.

Oh, that is a clever one, I can imagine it being stressful and taking some of the fun out of the holiday

In Africa there are those who beg for money but they have iPhones and designer clothes! It is very sad though as there are people who are genuinely in need but it is hard to sort them out from the scammers.

leeCal

People do really believe that they’ve seen Bigfoot don’t they @Richard_Scope?
ive seen a bit on the tv about it.

Dragonslayer

Being the scientist that discovered the vaccine for Covid19. 😇

RAwarrior

@janer1967

I suppose you have less time at the sites on a cruise but you do get to visit a lot of places with a guide. 

I already had Osteoarthritis which wasn’t as bad as it is now when I last visited Egypt but I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis now so I don’t know if I could manage to visit all of the sites that I would want to visit.

I also used to tolerate heat very well but since having Rheumatoid I can’t tolerate very hot weather. I must be one of the few people with arthritis who can’t tolerate heat😁

janer1967

@RAwarrior I thought heat was good for your condition but that doesn't make it easy to tolerate it 

I used to be a sun worshipper but now I dont like it must be my age 

Being in a wheelchair makes a lot if the sites not accessible 

Richard_Scope

leeCal said:

People do really believe that they’ve seen Bigfoot don’t they @Richard_Scope?
ive seen a bit on the tv about it.

tens of thousands of people.

RAwarrior

@66Mustang

I think that you probably know more about the Romans that I do, but like you I am really interested in Ancient Rome.

There is a really good video on YouTube called Pompeii 360 Virtual Walk by Prowalk Tours which is really good. There’s no commentary but you really do get a proper look around the site😁 If you can watch it on a computer then you can use the keys to look at particular parts of the site. 

Prowalk Tours is a really good YouTube channel which I came across during the lockdown. 

There are lots of videos from other places including Herculaneum, the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, The Sphinx, The Pyramids, the Roman Forum, the Colosseum to name but a few. Hopefully there is a video that someone will enjoy😁

There are also several Mary Beard programmes on YouTube. 

RAwarrior

@janer1967

I must be in the minority of people with any form of arthritis where the heat actually makes me feel worse. You rightly say that the heat should help, however, in my case it doesn’t as my joints swell and I suffer from fatigue. Most people I know with arthritis can’t tolerate the cold but I am the opposite😁

I used to be able to tolerate very high temperatures especially in Egypt when it was about 115 degrees Fahrenheit😁

I am sorry that you can’t visit places because the sites are not accessible. 

I know many museums in this country are trying to improve access for disabled people and some of them do have disabled parking, however, I know it’s not always possible to visit many places. Although I am not in a wheelchair I would struggle to visit many of the places in Egypt.

janer1967

@RAwarrior the trouble is that lots of the places are so old they are unable to adapt them or by doing so would ruin the authenticity 

More modern places are more user friendly 

Think you need to visit the ice hotel then 

RAwarrior

@janer1967

It’s a really difficult situation because I agree that they can’t alter sites so that it changes the way it would look.

I saw an Ice Hotel in Sweden during Michael Portillo’s Great Continental Railway journeys recently😁 I thought it was an amazing structure.

I know it’s not the same but I posted information about a YouTube channel which has videos about lots of different sites, many of which I haven’t been to so it’s very interesting for me. I really like the videos about the Egyptian Museum in Cairo which I have visited so it’s nice to see.

I am glad that you went on a Nile cruise and as you say with a guide you get a lot of information😁 

janer1967

@RAwarrior Knowing your love of wildlife too have you ever been to centre parcs, mnay not be anaturakl place you woould think of but the wildlife is amazing.

The villas are all hidden in the woodlands and you get all nature of wildlife coming up to the large patio doors. On one visit we had the patio door open and in walked a a duck, had a look around and then went back out

RAwarrior

@janer1967

No I haven't been to Centre Parcs but it sounds really nice. I think that being in a forest is so peaceful.

I have posted more photos recently of my little wildlife friends if you haven't already seen them

Sparklebright62

Hi to all,

Since I was little I always wanted to be a nurse,I used to love going to brownies and always and still do love learning how the body works perhaps its just me but since I have so many Conditions I guess I would make a good one but 2 old at my age but life got in the way and it didn't happen I just wish I had done it when I was younger.
(I do have in the loft a put together body plastic I might add for the grandkids to do but I think I might have to have it brought down and attempt to put it together myself as can't have grandkids at the minuet and need something to do.)
I also have a 3D printer my hubby put together I just need to learn how to use it will be fun.
So if anyone knows how it works I might need some help.

Sparklebright62.

Chloe_Scope

66Mustang said:

@Chloe_Scope yes very broad but all great ideas! What do you like taking photos of most of all?

Yeah, a real mix of jobs.        

I love taking photos of nature or portraits. I love using my macro lens to view nature.   

66Mustang

After reading the various travel threads I would also love to do a job that involves having to travel around the world

Chloe_Scope

That sounds amazing @66Mustang! Where would you go first?

66Mustang

I’m easy - wherever my boss told me to go

I would quite like to see the Middle East though. I find it quite a curious part of the world!

Chloe_Scope

Haha you're already a great employee!

Yeah I imagine it's so interesting.

leeCal

I’d like to live in a yurt in Mongolia for a week and I’d also like to stay in Nepal for a while too as part of a job of course.

Chloe_Scope

Oh of course @leeCal! Sounds great!

roberttaylor570

I used to love travelling but since not being able to work and after going through two redundancies I don't have the cash spare.  If my sight and other problems didn't cause me any difficulties I would love to be a pilot  so I could travel the world.

RAwarrior

@66Mustang

Have you watched Walking Britain’s Roman Roads? It’s on the Five Select Channel and it’s really interesting😁

66Mustang

@RAwarrior no I haven’t watched that, it sounds intriguing though! I like walking.

One thing I think I know about Roman roads is that it’s a myth that they built them straight, am I right or wrong? maybe I will watch it to find out.

RAwarrior

@66Mustang

I think you were will really like the programme because of your interest in Roman history.😁

There are six episodes. 

I think the series was originally on in July and I didn’t know about it but I came across it.

According to the programme they did build the roads straight and they explain how.

I don’t want to spoil it but I really enjoyed watching it and I found it relaxing to watch. 

I have visited some of the places in the series so I really enjoyed it. 

I am familiar with some of the roads in the series but not all of them. 

I hope you like the series and please let me know what you think if that’s okay?

66Mustang

@RAwarrior I will try to watch it over the next few evenings, I like watching stuff in the evening to relax - this sounds like a perfect thing to watch, thanks of course I will let you know what I think of it

RAwarrior

@66Mustang

I also like to watch relaxing programmes in the evening because I have very bad sleeping problems so I try to watch programmes which won’t cause me to have nightmares. 

Unfortunately I am someone who starts worrying in the evening when I need to try to switch off however, anxiety is something which is always worse for me late at night because I find it difficult to stop worrying when I should be relaxing.

 I hope you like the series👍

66Mustang

Sorry to hear about the sleeping problems and yes I understand what you mean completely. I’m sure you also have been told or discovered this already, but the thing with getting to sleep is the more you think you need to get to sleep, the more you will not be able to. Then there is the whole thing with worry where the more you try to not think about something, the more you think about it (i.e. if I say “do not think about a kangaroo” you immediately think about one). Like you I find watching something in the evening is the best way to switch off. I‘m lucky not to have bad sleeping problems or nightmares but do have trouble with obsessive thoughts before going to sleep and find it works for me.

RAwarrior

@66Mustang

Thank you very much for your kind words and support😁

I am just worn out with having to constantly repeat myself because I am not being listened to so I am going round in circles😞

When I have spoken to anyone on the phone recently they have detected the anxiety in my voice straight away, but despite this when I have to deal with work issues, my anxiety levels are ignored. So complete strangers can hear that I am anxious!

66Mustang

Hi @RAwarrior

I hope you are feeling a bit better today.

I watched some of the first episode last night and I liked it, it’s really informative and entertaining. There were lots of things I didn’t know especially that a lot of Roman roads are still roads today!!

RAwarrior

Hi @66Mustang,

I am not great but thank you for asking me😁

I’m glad you liked the programme. I knew about Watling Street.

I thought the Roman road in the basement of the tattoo shop was amazing😁

66Mustang

Sorry you are not feeling too good today @RAwarrior

I’ve been struggling too recently

I am just taking one day at a time at the moment, I don’t know if that would work for you or if you prefer to think about the future?

RAwarrior

@66Mustang

Thank you so much for your support😁

I’m sorry to hear that you also struggling as well😞

I understand about you taking one day at a time, however, I struggle to do that because of my anxiety I constantly speculate about what might or could happen😞 However, to be fair when I have speculated I have usually had good reason to worry.

 I noticed on the Versus Website which is the arthritis charity which I am sure you have heard of that this week is National Inclusion Week. Unfortunately because of my work situation I don’t feel included at all😞

I know it’s wishful thinking but I wish some people would realise the problems they cause disabled people like me when they refuse to follow the Equality Act 2010.

I hope you feel better and please let me know if I can help😁

Eamesy88

I would love to work within the Senco sector. I find parts of it so fasinating

Chloe_Scope

I agree with you there @Eamesy88! Also, welcome to the community.

66Mustang

@RAwarrior

Yes that makes sense about speculating. Sorry to hear about the work situation, I agree that is what the Equality Act is there to stop happening .

I hope it's not long before you reach a solution with your workplace. Have you thought about moving to a more disability friendly workplace? Then again I suppose if you left your current job then it could be seen as letting them win.

Thanks for the support and well wishes, I really appreciate it.

66Mustang

@Eamesy88 I agree that area of work sounds like it can be really interesting at times.

RAwarrior

Hi @66Mustang

The problem is that the Equality Act is being ignored in my case. I am just exhausted from having to repeat myself😞

I have been employed there for a long time and I had managed to do my job despite my physical disabilities. However, the situation deteriorated when my managers allowed me to be bullied and harassed. Unfortunately as I have mentioned before I ended up with mental health issues that I didn’t have before😞

Now they don’t want to support me despite the fact that the problems were caused by them because they allowed the bully to continue bullying and harassing me😞

66Mustang

@RAwarrior I hope the bully and the people who supported them are eventually brought to account. Anything like this is a very long and drawn out process, with a lot of repetition, isn’t it  but I think it is worth seeing it through to the end. I think people want you to give up but you mustn’t, a bit like claiming for PIP I guess?

On a slightly different note I find it bad that the law allows for people to inflict mental illness on someone. If someone hit you and you break a leg they would be prosecuted for physically injuring you but if someone causes genuine mental harm i.e. inflicts mental injury then there is not much that can be done even though mental issues are just as serious as physical ones!

RAwarrior

@66Mustang
Thank you very much for your support.

Unfortunately the bully is teflon coated and his behaviour has been covered up for at least 20 years! He accuses anyone who challenges him of racism when it's not true and he used to make racist remarks all the time. 

The only way he will ever be brought to account of if someone goes to an Employment Tribunal and as I have said previously, I didn't have the physical or mental strength to do that.

What he did to me is actually a disability hate crime but it is very difficult to prove.

Unfortunately I am in this mess because of the fact that I was bullied and harassed for many years. A series of managers covered it up.

I agree that mental issues are just as serious as physical ones and in my case are worse. I know how to manage my Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis but I am struggling to deal with my mental health.  They have done everything they can to help the bully and even felt sorry for him (and had the nerve to tell me). The bully used to manipulate all of the managers so they would feel sorry for him.

66Mustang

@RAwarrior I’m really sorry to hear that and sorry I don’t have anything productive to suggest. Yes that must be very awkward if the bully also has a protected characteristic himself (I’m guessing they do as you mention that he calls racism) and can abuse that to his advantage. The equality laws are meant to be there so we all have an equal chance, it’s sad when people abuse them.

RAwarrior

@66Mustang,

Thank you very much for your support and please don't apologise. The fact that you have taken the trouble to reply and to support me makes a huge difference to me    

I never saw anyone be racist towards him but he accuses anyone who disagrees with him of racism whilst making racist remarks himself. He made nasty remarks about disabled people on a regular basis but management were too scared to challenge him.

Unfortunately he does a disservice to people who are actually victims of racism who may not be believed. Regardless of what the issue was if anyone disagreed with his behaviour including the extremely vulgar comments he used to make (which everyone including me was supposed to laugh at), if you didn't laugh in his eyes it made you a racist. He used to go into the manager's office and complain all the time. Unfortunately there are consequences to workplace bullying and I am proof of that. I need help to recover which I am not getting even though my mental issues were caused at work.

66Mustang

I am glad to have been able to have done something a little bit useful.

I hope you are able to recover in enough time. Your own well-being is more important than taking the fight to the bully but maybe once you have recovered you will feel able to challenge him?