I need some advice

[Vidar]

So, since my Injury in 2018 I have had no end to problems. Constant pain, swelling and regular bouts of cellulitis. Significantly reduced mobility and PTSD which I'm finally being treated for and a regular stream of appointments, physio and expected surgery etc, have meant returning to the workforce hasn't been possible yet.

There's zero chance of my returning to a security position, where the vast majority of my work experience is. I can't stand for more than a few minutes, nevermind 6 - 18hrs. And anything more than a few meters and I still need my wheelchair. Sitting at a desk all day is also a complete no go due to the swelling etc and I need to be able to elevate my leg for long periods.

I feel utterly unemployable, I'd probably have less issues if they had just amputated the leg.

I hate it, and I absolutely hate staring at the same 4 walls everyday. I hate being stuck on benefits, even if I've got more coming in now than ever before. I figure if I can't work for someone else maybe I could do my own things? Like start a business. I just don't know where to start.

Could someone recommend a remote beginners business course that's actually any good that I can do at my own pace? Are there any other things people can recommend? It's as much about occupying my time and mind as anything else right now but hoping it will open some doors for me in the future.

I just need to do something.

 

[Vidar]

I'm sorry to hear that you're still having problems.



Really? How about an organising role?



A friend has a similar issue and he has a desk with a raised footrest. Very much like sitting in the bath or one of those racing wheelchairs.

Remind me how old you are. If you're 50+ - maybe 40+ - how about embracing early retirement?



Whatever you choose, the very best of luck to you.

Are you able to provide any details about the desk etc? I'm not sure I've seen the setup and wonder how likely it is any prospective employer would shell out for stuff like that.
I'm only 38, going on 39 later this month. I don't want to stay on my ass staring at walls forever trying to motivate myself to play games or watch something on Netflix. It's not great when that's all you do all the time! I've been without direction for a long time since this.

I've contacted previous employers, one of which is a huge multinational security firm to ask what sort of prospects I may have moving forward. My chances sounded pretty grim given all my experience, bar a couple of years as a casual interviewer for them which doesn't seem to count they didn't seem very enthused given my lack of qualifications.

Thank you for the kind words...

Coincidence but I had a full knee replacement in February that has gone wrong and probably a 1000th of your problems and I was only thinking about you yesterday.
So sad to hear it, at least I can walk for half a mile and stand on stage for 2x 1hr sets, I can't imagine what you're going through.
Before the op I was confined to a wheelchair or sitting down and it was horrible.

Best of luck.

I'd kill for a knee replacement, but I'm continuously being dicked around regarding future surgeries. I see one consultant who sends me for several painful and frustrating tests but saying they will do a knee replacement and remove metal work etc. Months later I'll see another consultant who says, they've waited too long and have to repeat the tests (not going through it again) but that there's no need to remove/replace as it probably won't change anything but.... hey, go for those tests again and then wait too long to see us again and someone will tell your something different. This has happened 5 times now.

I hate my predicament, I want to be able to take my daughter to the park and push her on the swings or go to the beech or walk through the woods again. But, I can't. I need something for me!

Glad to know things have improved for you though, didn't know you where a musician, am I likely to have heard any of your stuff?

 

[Vidar]

I really feel for you



Absolutely not, 52 years playing in cover bands of all sorts.

Thank you mate, it's appreciated.

That's pretty awesome though. I wish I'd learned an instrument in my youth, I love music.

Some areas have free courses on starting your own business available to people on benefits, saw it advertised in the local paper. May have been for those on JSA but still worth a look.

What sort of business would you like to start? A course will help you get going but you still need an idea of what you want to do.

I am starting to look at free courses, on the open university website now. But, I don't know what is worth me doing. Not all courses are created equal.

I've got several ideas for businesses, annoyingly I had an idea for online raffling of new electronic items, like PC's and Iphones etc. Didn't think it was a very good idea and now loads of places seem to be doing it and doing well from it. I've never had the practical skills to take it from a concept to a real thing.

Years ago I looked at starting my own t-shirt and garment printing business, I'd found a pretty interesting niche that got a little exciting. Spoke to the job center and was given assistance by an external agency in setting up a business plan. The guy thought it was a fantastic idea but once we'd completed the business plan he cut me loose. There was no assistance for any of the practicalities like trying to secure financing or anything like that.

I had quite a few people, willing to work with me but yeah it just fell flat.

 

[Vidar]

What did you do prior to your injury? I know you said security but what exactly, what transferrable skills etc?

Mostly door supervision, event security and a spattering of retail security. I've run teams of over 15. In the past I've been told things like it's the wrong type of customer facing/management experience.

 

[Vidar]

Have you maybe considered doing something similar to this initially via a Print on Demand type setup? I don't think this would need much initial funding.

If it takes off, then you can start investing money made in becoming a more self sufficient business.

In the meantime, creating designs etc. would at least keep you occupied with something.

It's something I could potentially consider, the issue with print on demand though is quality. I was very specific about the quality of the garment and additional extras that these services just don't provide. One of the main selling points was the overall quality and unique customer experience. This was a key selling point to the people who's designs and IP I was to use.

The other issue was the designs, other than converting images, I wasn't doing the designs. These where to be done by specific artists from a particular industry or two. I was fortunate enough to have certain contacts through working the doors that would have paid of greatly. One such designer had a fairly popular mobile game several years ago though that wasn't my main focus.

 

[Vidar]

Come on guys - we can do better than this. Great mindset Vidar - half the battle is the fact you WANT to do more...

Vidar - tell us more about what you'd like to do.

You're in OCUK, so assume some sort of technical interest? you're now more limited in movement but the whole UK has just moved to remote work - you thought about learning web coding, development etc ? You could do a conversion course or online training and find yourself in an industry with almost endless demand for work.

Design - thought about online training here, maybe do a few examples to build your portfolio (eg fiverr)

Any other skills/interests that we could riff off?

Honestly, the thing I really want to do long term is property investment and development. I'm absolutely fascinated by it all. I understand though, that given my current circumstances that's not possible right now. I've got zero bad debt, using no more than 5% of my available credit and only use that to maintain my credit rating. I've worked damn hard over the past decade to get myself straight.

What I like to do, that's much harder to answer. It's almost 4 years to the day since my life was changed forever. Virtually everything I used to enjoy doing isn't possible for me now. I love building computers and fixing them, I love tech and am a huge Star Wars fanatic and generally a need. I love movies but am utterly bored of gaming these days.

I don't have any qualifications to speak of, certainly nothing that's still valid. One thing I do have going for me is I love to learn, but I do far better in a structured environment than I do by myself.

Design type stuff, I'm willing to give it a try but honestly I don't feel like a creative person these days.

Considering potential business ideas, I can pretty much rule out anything with a physical product. While able bodied I had tried flipping charity shop flipping and boot sales on Ebay and had some limited success for example. It's just not suitable now though.

 

[Vidar]

I'm going to throw a boring option in the ring here, what about getting some book keeping certificates such as Xero or Quickbooks and taking on a small handful of local businesses to do their finances and credit control?

You could also take the opportunity to learn investment techniques. I'm not talking sign up for a get rich quick course, get a couple of books and learn how to analyse companies then invest in long term portfolio development.

Property isn't my area so I can't help with that.

I wish you the best of luck though, Vidar. Reach out to me if you need any marketing type help in future, I work with directors on a daily basis on how to grow their sales.

Thank you, so much for your kind offer. I hope at some point in the future to be able to take you up on that.

I'm actually reading, rather I should say persevering with "The Intelligent Investor" as it's come highly recommended by people in the investment sector etc. I'm finding it a chore more down to the writing style than anything but it's very heavy to a complete beginner. Still I'm picking some things up. I'm told I'll need to read it a few times to get it, and it gets easier with each pass.

Honestly, while it might be a boring suggestion it's one I was sort of considering. I just wasn't sure where to begin. But it was a skill I wanted to pick up, if for no other reason than if I do successfully start my own business I would have a basic understanding of that side of things.

thank you, again.

Is there anything 'around' property development that you could do that works with your physical limitations?

Eg could do an architecture design course, learn archiCAD online, etc?

Shifty's ideas are sound on the other side - ie learn a bit about the 'investment' side of property investment too.

Connected are there any remote-first jobs that you could do - even really simple ones to immerse you in this sort of world - eg mortgage sellers for Banks are now heavily remote based, so could suit you well.

Thank you, Honestly I'm also looking at learning project management which if can be done remotely would be something. Have never really considered architecture though if I'm honest. Mortgage selling might also be very interesting.