I have just finished my A levels, and am now wondering what to do next. Throughout my A levels I got told I may get kicked out due to the amount of days I had off due to pain etc. I am very stressed at the moment because I do not know what to do next. I am not going to uni as I thought it would be a nightmare if I missed as much uni as I did school. I need to start earning money however I don’t know if I’m able to have a job at the moment due to pain days etc. I am currently waiting on my first laparoscopy.
I was just wondering if anyone had any advice on having a job with endometriosis or any financial help I am able to have. Thanks!
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I'm doing university with The Open University it's all totally from home and they are super flexible, tutors are amazing and everyone is so supportive. It is a fab idea if you think a typical bricks and mortar university would be too difficult. But, often unis want you to be able to attend and will make adjustments so you can be supported fully. Many do have the option of doing some bits from home and limiting time spent in the uni itself. It is always worth popping in or calling student recruitment to see what support they could offer someone like you with additional needs. You may need proof of your disability, so a letter from your gyne or GP would be a good idea. I know that if you decided to use The Open University then to apply for a maintenance loan you would need to prove that you do distance learning due to a mental or physical disability, they require evidence from a doctor for this so please be prepared. You can still get the tuition loan (the loan for the course) but the maintenance loan (paid to you) you need evidence for. There is also disability grants where you can get equipment and support, you'll need a disability assessment and to provide evidence again. But they are fantastic, I got a chair and a laptop plus a fantastic support session once a week for my emotional wellbeing. Please don't give up on further education! I did and I massively regret it, now I'm in my 30s doing my degree lol.
Benefits wise there is PIP, but again you'll need to provide proof of how your disability affects you. It isn't based on the condition alone, you'll need to show how it affects your life and limits you. Please please get advice BEFORE applying, there are so many people who end up filling the forms in wrong and they get turned down. Sometimes the wording is the key! There is also means tested Benefits but they are dependent on household income, anyone you live with would have an impact on these. You can work and claim pip, it isn't income based, but you can't work and claim the other benefits because they are income related.
I've been considering working from home recently, it would give me the ability to earn money but also allow me to be home. Is there anything you think you could do from home? Like a call center job or customer support over the phone etc? Always worth googling "remote working call centre" and seeing if there's anything you could do if not though please do reach out for some help claiming the benefits you're entitled to! If you're in a different part of the UK then these benefits may be different, I'm in England so I'm unsure what the rules are for Scotland, Wales and N.Ireland.
I work in education and since the pandemic many universities are now doing a large proportion of their lectures and seminars online and you only attend workshops.
This obviously varies with the course and the university but if it's what you want to do, look at the different ones and start to ask them what they put in place for absences explaining what are you going through.
If you aren't going this year it's maybe something you can spend time doing over the course of the year or some courses have January starts.
Hi Sky, I've myself quit my latest job after I've been humilated a couple of times at work due to my6 conditon. I am by now not able to work, heavily medicated every day. And have difficulties sitting for long periods. I would recommend you to apply for jobs that you can do remotely. So you might can have pain relief during breaks etc. Endometriosis UK is fighting for years so Endometriosis can be added to the disability list. I have stage four for years now, and caused me underlying conditions such as IBS (part of my bowels have been removed), grade 2/3 spondylolisthesis and osteopenia. Using a walking aig. I am 37 (today is my Bday)I am on Universal Credit and PIP.
I am so sorry you had to quit your job!! So sad! Thank you for your help and advise I will look into jobs that I can work remotely!! Also happy birthday💗
I can't offer advice about university, however if it's something that you want to do there will be a way. There should be support out there and they should help you make a plan to work around the condition.
I am 35 and was on the pill until I was 30. I did go to university and I've been a teacher for 10 years. I didnt know I had endometriosis until I came off the pill. My workplace have been very supportive and I can have working from home days when I am too ill to go in. It's also an idea to speak to a union if you join one as they are also very helpful if your workplace isn't.
I am back on the pill now as that helps me manage my symptoms and I only have a period once every 3months.
What I'm basically trying to say is, it's possible to have endo and have a job/career. Don't be disheartened.
What I would say first is that things can get better. So don't be thinking at 18 that you're totally screwed! I'm 28 and have had a few horrible years sickness and absence wise but am now, after 6 months in a less stressful job, doing much better.
I think it's really good that you are being realistic with yourself and work. I would suggest getting a role that has minimal stress but pushes you enough to distract you and make you want to work. Or another possibility, with maybe taking on the suggestions of open university, is to get some volunteering in a charity or something similar. Be open with them and suggest working front of house on the till a few hours a couple of times a week.
Don’t let go of your dreams is my watchword on these debates. Find a way and you’ll have countless ways to be able express your talents and still take care of your health. Open uni or a more online based course gives you more options and most universities are much better placed to extend or defer if you need. It’s not the same as the college or school sausage factory. You can take a break for a year and go for something flexi or home based while you think things through and check your options out.
I totally feel you! I am about to go into my final year of uni, so I'm in a slightly different position. But I am so stressed about getting a job. It is so tough, I wish there was some kind of young adult endo support group? I would say though, if you want to go to uni, definitely go. A lot of lecturers record lectures, and you can get the PowerPoint etc. When I am in too much pain I don't go in, but you can apply for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). I'm currently in the process of that. If you decide to go to uni, apply for the DSA asap because it can take 14 weeks to process. And then you still need a study needs assessment (not sure what happens after that because I haven't booked my assessment yet!).
Getting a working-from-home job would obviously be ideal, I'm going to have a look too. It's only a small amount but if you start uni or a course etc. you can use YouGov and Prolific to earn money taking surveys I hope this is somewhat useful to you! Always happy to chat x
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it's all totally from home and they are super flexible, tutors are amazing and everyone is so supportive. It is a fab idea if you think a typical bricks and mortar university would be too difficult. But, often unis want you to be able to attend and will make adjustments so you can be supported fully. Many do have the option of doing some bits from home and limiting time spent in the uni itself. It is always worth popping in or calling student recruitment to see what support they could offer someone like you with additional needs. You may need proof of your disability, so a letter from your gyne or GP would be a good idea. I know that if you decided to use The Open University then to apply for a maintenance loan you would need to prove that you do distance learning due to a mental or physical disability, they require evidence from a doctor for this so please be prepared. You can still get the tuition loan (the loan for the course) but the maintenance loan (paid to you) you need evidence for. There is also disability grants where you can get equipment and support, you'll need a disability assessment and to provide evidence again. But they are fantastic, I got a chair and a laptop plus a fantastic support session once a week for my emotional wellbeing. Please don't give up on further education! I did and I massively regret it, now I'm in my 30s doing my degree lol. 
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