Morning everyone!

Yesterday I had a trial at a cafe as the dishwasher and have been offered the job. I completely underestimated this job and the popularity of the cafe (mind you it is in the center of the city)... it is probably the hardest work I have ever done in my life. It was crazy, I didn't even have time to get a glass of water in 2 hours. There is only one dishwasher in the cafe and it is packed full of people during the lunch shift which is what I would be doing.

I want to give it a shot but I did find it quite difficult with my AS. I'm thinking that if I could hang in there for a couple of months or so, I would be doing something easier than washing dishes or get a kinder shift.

Any thoughts?

cheers,
Seb

I would give it a shot Seb. Worst thing that can happen is that you can't continue - best thing, you get a kinder shift sooner rather than later or another position opens up that is better suited!

Good luck!
mig

I think it is best to get a job where you can alternate sitting and standing throughout the day. However, if you can go home and rest after working, you may be ble to do it. It is worth a try.

If you decide to take it, try to rest one foot up on a step stool to lessen the strain on your back when you are standing.

Shari

I think you should give it a try...what's the worst thing that can happen? Maybe have to quit? That was my first job at age 15 and I got paid a whopping $1.65 an hour lol I actually loved it! Keep us updated on what you decide.

Hugs!

I, too, would give it a shot. As Lisa said, the worst thing that can happen is that you would have to quit. There is always the possibility that they will see what a hard worker you are and that you want to be there and will move you to an easier job.
I had an employer once as I got sicker, do everything in the world to make it work for me. There are some really caring people in this world.

Best wishes.
Possi

as the others said.....

and often there are little things that can be done by an employer to accommodate someone with disabilities. in the U.S. there are laws requiring employers to make reasonable accommodations.

for example: if you have to stand in one place to wash the dishes, is there a rubber mat in that space. that would be an easy fix for someone like me, who can't stand for long on a hard surface, but can stand much longer (in my kitchen or lab for example) with a kneeling pad that i bought in the garden center. its meant for kneeling, but works great for standing.

for you, this may not be your issue, but think like this. what simple changes would make the job easier for you? then gently suggest them to your boss. if he/she is against those things, that tells you a lot about that person. but most people are nice and would accommodate if they knew how, if it didn't cost too much, and it was a simple fix.

good luck! and have fun with it!

Give it a try, but just remember if it gets too hard that there are an awful lot of other different types of jobs that will be a lot easier on your body. Make sure you wear shoes that have really good cushioned soles (gel insole trainers, etc), change your position and stretch loads, shift the weight, etc, and try and organise how you work ergonomically - so you aren't bending and stretching awkwardly to get at things. A two hour shift should be manageable, but you might end up having to do stuff like take a dose of NSAID an hour before you start the shift, or put a heat pad or ice pack on your back at the end of it. Doing a good set of stretches before you start could help too.

I'm not sure what they could do to accommodate disability in that kind of job, but it might be worth telling the boss that you do have AS, and you want to really give it a go, but if it doesn't work for you, are there any other different jobs that might be coming up that you could transfer to?

How is the humira going? Do you think you have noticed a difference yet? Sounds like things must have got better if you are thinking about this kind of job.