Retraining

[Katiedid]

Hi, I am finding it difficult to carry on working. I used to be a cook, but that got to be too much for me, very physical. Does anyone know if there is help to retrain out there? I'm 52.

[Dinkie]

Depends what field you want to be in. I have a friend who has, at your age, just started an apprenticeship in Accountancy! Apparently the government website (If you are UK) has loads of apprenticeships on it. She typed in her postcode and hundreds came up. Might be worth a look you never know what might be on there in your area.

[Katiedid in reply to Dinkie]

Thank you Dinkie, I'll give that a try.

[Fra22-57]

I used to help a cook in a nursing home for the disabled.I had to eventually leave through ill health which has got worse.Don't know if you are able to train for anything else where you work that is less demanding.Have you thought about not retraining but working in a tea shop that's involved with food and still requires light meals ? You are the same age when poor health hit me so if you can still work you still have the drive to win.I wish you all the best

[Al10]

Thought I would have a look to see what advice you got. Mm not much hey? Notice you didn't lock your post, would that help, or are we all clueless about what fibros can usefully do?

If you have to pay then you need to be careful not to train for something that is going to be too much for you too. You don't need debt to add to your troubles!

I like physical jobs because being sedentary flares my fibro. But now I cant do the physical so it's a bit tricky to know where I fit. I too was a cook for a while and pottering about was good for me. Ugh the heavy pots and chopping and stirring, not so much now!

I'm not much help here, am I?

[Katiedid in reply to Al10]

Thanks for your comments. I want that magical mix of doing something thats neither sitting or standing all day. I've always done a physical job. I'm now a retail assistant which i find both tiring and boring! I'm sure there is something out there i could do. Thanks again.

[Al10 in reply to Katiedid]

Yes exactly. I had jobs like that.

[robpw]

Maybe work for yourself - do the coking for parties etc

[Al10]

Thought I'd come back and see what our members have been suggesting. Disappointing. I'm sad there wasn't more help for you.

I'm fearful thatover time, Fibro does become an issue for work and is not so easily manageable because we do get to the point where recovery is so slow.

We manage pain like troupers. Most of us for a long long time before we can't. It isn't only me that struggles managing the way pain escalates out of control spoiling the day, or week or month or longer? The pain that doesn't respond to a couple of paracetamol and a good nights sleep. That flakiness does not endear us to employers who hope to see us regularly (even daily) being useful.

I don't know what jobs wont spike our pain (because it is so random) or what employers don't give a monkeys whether they see us each day, or not.

Maybe you are still quite fit and coping well. Fewer hours, gentler regime? Don't let Fibro steal your dreams. If you decide to retrain, I hope you find something that inspires you.

I think many people even if they don't work for money, do find ways to be useful, creative, and use their talents. It's sad that only working for money is really valued in our society.