Hi everyone,
Just wondered what you think the best jobs/careers to look at are when you have RA? I've tried both teaching and office/computer-based roles and find both tough - particularly sitting at a computer all week and the consequent effect on wrist and back pain. Would love to have a job that has less of an effect on my condition but imagine it may be a difficult ask!
Any thoughts welcome 
Thanks
-notagranny
I've wondered this too
PS Also wonder if working part time helps people? Part time workers I have come across often seem to feel expected to produce the same output as a full-time employee so cause those working part time extra stress!
I cut down to four days but was given exactly same workload as those working five days just meant more stress and working harder
I work part time reduced from 37.5 to 22.5 hours and find I am expected to do the same as my full time colleagues
When I retired after taking redundancy...I went to an agency offering part time careers (I was under 60 & no OAP yet).
Every single interview I attended appeared to expect 40 hrs work for 3 days pay!
I walked away & worked in a call centre ...but doing specialist interviews- not cold calling ....most of my colleagues were uni,students & I was christened Gran...it was one of the most fun jobs I've ever had! Money wasn't bad either. Even drinking cider in the pub with 20 year olds when I was 55 was an experience!
Search outside the box....with summer coming on maybe be working in a NT house...or anything in the tourist business.Look in local papers& if there is a job that interests you....investigate it.....I found common sense wins out over fantastic qualifications doing something you don't want to be doing.
Good Luck !
As a teacher who's off work sick at the moment, I can safely say that maybe it isn't the best job. But to be honest it is my long commute that's causing me issues.
I've been thinking of an ideal job and my mind is at a loss.... 😕
I was a teacher and there is no way I could have continued in that role. However, just before I was diagnosed I had gained a new qualification as a teacher of children with dyslexia. I moved to teaching individuals and small groups which was physically so much easier. Discipline issues vanish, I mostly can teach sitting down, there is much less marking even though there is still plenty of paperwork and planning. It was the best thing I ever did. I finally will retire in July but have been able to go on until 65.
It really depends on the people you work with, I accepted a job a few weeks before I was diagnosed with RA. I work as a Science a Technician in a lab which requires a lot of fine work. Every morning my lab partner checks how I feel and what I feel capable of doing. Based on that we divide up the tasks for the day. If she sees, I'm struggling, she comes over without a word and finishes off and sends me off to do something else. I get a lot of support from everyone and no word is said if I have to take time off for appointments. I am grateful to have this job even though it pays peanuts! So, my answer to your question is really the environment and people rather than the actual job.
I have been diagnosed for RA since i was 21 years while studying. Ive been IT industry for 10 years now with a bad wrist. However maybe because of the medicie , i have not much trouble in doing my job. infact i enjoy doing the job. i only get the pain when trying to write using a pen. so i prefer the computer since its easier for me. But try to to wear a wrist guard and continue
I was dx age 6, so had the disease 10 years before I worked for 22 years doing secretarial. My hands were deformed before I started work but I adapted and managed to keep working. As a secretary, there's bouts of sitting at a PC, answering the phone, walking around seeing to clients, moving around the office to the photocopier, so I wasn't sitting in one place all day long, but long enough to rest my ankles. By the time I retired at 38, my shoulders and elbows were needing replacing, but not sure it was down to the job, probably would have happened anyway.
Hi
I was a secretary for 14 yrs working long days in London moving up career ladder then RA changed everything. Once mtx 20mg took hold I could again walk/drive I spoke to hospital occupational therapist. She mentioned clinic assistant jobs. When I saw my podiatrist at the hosp I told her my concerns she said they were looking for a part time assistant arranging apptments. This gave me confidence the more people I spoke to the more advice I got. I am now a reablement support worker, re-enabling and assessing how people are managing in their own homes after a stay in hospital. Just 16 hrs a week (because of the fatigue). I find the customers understanding of my problems as we usually encounter similar difficulties. I work for excercise more than anything and if I wasnt paid id do it voluntary. Unfortunately it is what it is. Having your career swiped away from you is frightening, no one understands unless theyve been there. Im not the old me. Im the new me (fatigued, scatty, weak) but I have a heart and good work ethic and love to help others. Ask advice everywhere you go. You never know whats round the corner. Good luck
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