For those of you who have been following my homeless and unemployed saga with interest, you may have been wondering what Ive been up to considering I havent posted any kind of update in a month. Well, Ive been keeping myself physically, spiritually and emotionally focused on the things that are supposed to be moving me forward (aka: out of this financial wasteland). Heres a brief summary: My work with opportunities for people with disabilities continues. I have attended and successfully completed a training class in the latest version of a professional level photo enhancement software program; and I await financial authorizations to clear so I can take an exam for certification as an expert in that program. Training in other professional level software programs have been approved, but not yet arranged. My work with an employment counselor also continues. We have created two very professional looking resumes; one which focuses on my experience with art and graphic design while the other highlights my twenty years experience doing clerical work. The biggest obstacle to attaining graphic design work is my lack of a bachelors degree in that field. So far, I have used the resumes to apply for six different jobs. Three are with state agencies, two are with staffing agencies and one was for a part-time position with Goodwill Industries; no word back from any of them. Yesterday, I attended a job fair for veterans where I handed out two more resumes. I spoke with the only two employers there, both of them staffing agencies, and picked up paperwork to connect with them. One of the agencies focus is mostly on manual labor, which is not medically appropriate for me, so will likely lead to nothing, while the other has significant connections to office work. I will complete their paperwork and schedule an appointment with them next week. This coming Tuesday I will attend another job fair for veterans where thirty employers are slated to set-up and talk to attendees. On the medical front, my doctor sent me for an MRI of my lower spine last week. The MRI will reveal more details of my condition than the round of x-rays that have already been taken. In mid January I am scheduled to meet with a neurologist. The dosage of my blood pressure medicine was increased; and that has proven effective in bringing it down to the high side of normal. An anti-anxiety medication has also proven effective. This medication is actually an antihistamine; and its effectiveness confirms my notion that the majority of my bouts with extreme anxiety have been caused by food sensitivity. After much badgering from my doctor and wife I finally consented to taking pain medication, so I now enjoy a daily dose of prescription strength ibuprofen. I continue to refuse anything stronger. We have new obstacles in and on our horizons. Apart from losing our place to stay in the beginning of January; we are sooner to lose access to a vehicle. One of the people we have been staying with allowed us to use their little truck (whenever we could afford to put gas in it) and they will be leaving for California in a week or so. A bus line is within half-a-mile of our current abode, but we will be hard pressed to afford the $4.00 per day it will take to ride the bus somewhere and back. We are hopeful that Donnas public assistance will soon be approved and that the first payment will allow us to buy a super-cheap automobile; or at least a buss pass so I can make interviews and hopefully start work. The nearest grocery is about one mile away; which is a considerable distance for debilitated people like us to walk while carrying bags of food. Also, in preparation for their move to California, our hosts have had the cable services in the house discontinued in order for to save them money for their impending journey. Although a smart move for them, it is problematic for us. All of my communication with opportunities for people with disabilities and the employment counselor have been handled via the Internet; as well as the majority of applications Ive filed so far. The nearest library is just a little less than one mile away, right near the grocery, and, again, is a considerable distance for people in our situation to walk. Thats about it for now. I would like to express appreciation to our hosts, who have kept us out of this ever cooling weather, and I wish to express my extreme gratitude to the friend who purchased a winter coat for me. God Love Her !!
Posted on: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 17:10:30 +0000
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