Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group rehab counselor

I spoke to the rehab counselor that my disability company referred me to. She was very nice but she was going for the same thing my epidemiologist rhuemy said about considering changing fields. Now I'm certified to teach special education birth to second grade and I have my initial cert, but to get my professional I have to get 2 years of teaching and my masters. She told me I shouldn't go back to school because the positions I'dbe doing are probably too demanding and why spend more money when my condition doesn't make those positions doable. But here's the thing, I have to get an extension on my initial this summer or I'll lose it. I told her that I spent thousands of dollars and almost 10 years in my career and I don't want it all to be for nothing. She's like "just don't think about it like that" like I can just shut it off. I don't know what to do. I understand what she's doing but I also am only 26 and its a pretty bleak existence if I have to throw everything away I've worked for and live my life according to this stupid disease. She's setting up a meeting with a counselor face to face who is supposed to be able to help me to figure it out. I just feel like I'm in limbo and so unsure. Anyone else had similar situations? Advice?

it's your life, so don't let anyone pressure you into anything you don't feel comfortable with.

IMO they are there to help you figure out how to achieve the goals you've set for yourself.

I'm a firm believer in "where there is a will, there's a way", so if you want to do something, you should do it.

just want it, for the right reasons, not the easy reasons.

i'm on the other side of being a student. yes, i have a lot of reading, grading, desk work, but too, I do what i can in my recliner, have a good chair in my office, have a standing desk too, etc. if all the chairs in a classroom are evil, I either move a good chair in, stand, or sit on the floor.

I think people give up too easily, that's what it sounds like they are trying to do to you. But its your life, you are the one who has to live it. Give up when and if you are ready, move on when and if you are ready, not before.

I'm definitely one for finding alternative ways of getting to goals. Think of what you want in the end, then forget the normal route for getting to that goal, and just do whatever works to find another completely different pathway to there. A good counsellor should help you figure that out, not try and convince you to do something different.