I'd Rather Be Working [Paperback]

Gayle Backstrom (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0814471153 | ISBN-13: 978-0814471159 | Edition: 1

"Those living with chronic illness face many unique challenges, and among the most daunting can be the search for meaningful, well-paying employment and the challenge of providing for oneself. This first-of-its-kind guide helps readers evaluate their own abilities and limitations, set financial goals, conduct effective job searches, and identify and utilize government and other resources. A refreshing, constructive look at professional and personal issues, this book is a use-it-now resource to put the reader on the road to financial stability and genuine accomplishment, featuring invaluable sections on: * Setting goals to meet abilities and limitations * Self-assessment and career guidance * Training, vocational rehabilitation, and long distance learning -- and the potential earnings payoff * The Americans with Disabilities Act, recent Supreme Court decisions, and the latest developments in assistive technologies." "Those living with chronic illness face many unique challenges, and among the most daunting can be the search for meaningful, well-paying employment and the challenge of providing for oneself. This first-of-its-kind guide helps readers evaluate their own abilities and limitations, set financial goals, conduct effective job searches, and identify and utilize government and other resources. A refreshing, constructive look at professional and personal issues, this book is a use-it-now resource to put the reader on the road to financial stability and genuine accomplishment, featuring invaluable sections on: * Setting goals to meet abilities and limitations * Self-assessment and career guidance * Training, vocational rehabilitation, and long distance learning -- and the potential earnings payoff * The Americans with Disabilities Act, recent Supreme Court decisions, and the latest developments in assistive technologies."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A straight-talking guide by a Texan who has continued to work despite battling fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome most of her life." -- Joyce Lain Kennedy, syndicated columnist

"Gayle Backstrom brings a depth of understanding to the workplace challenges facing the physically disadvantaged." -- Ft.Worth Star-Telegram

"Outstanding book...." -- CF Alliance Newsletter

"refreshing,constructive...[a] resource to put the reader on the road to financial stability and genuine accomplishment." -- FM Online Newsletter

"this unique book is a good addition to the literature helping those with employment handicaps." -- Career Opportunity News

Real-life stories of people whose illnesses affected their ability to work, get work & how they dealt with their situation. -- Morning Star- Ft.Worth TX Sept 9, 2002

useful tool for those ... physical change in their lives ... roles in the workplace changing because of illness or disability complications -- Quest, November 2002

Review

Career Opportunity News: "This inspirational book encourages people with disabilities to prepare for and enter the workplace...this unique book is a good addition to the literature helping those with employment handicaps."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 17 and up
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM; 1 edition (July 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814471153
• ISBN-13: 978-0814471159
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #326,923 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wouldn't we all rather be working? A great resource!, February 16, 2003

By 

sdewayne (Walla Walla, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I'd Rather Be Working (Paperback)

Here is the resource you need to help you rebuild your self confidence and your life. Read this book first if you're chronically ill and trying to keep your job, looking to go back to work or if you need to change jobs to accommodate your illness.

It is so easy to give up when you're diagnosed with a chronic illness. Ask me. I know from experience. When we are not working we often lose self confidence, money, benefits and companionship. Honestly, I'm sure the majority of us would rather be working. Right? I can't think that any of us who would rather not have money for food, housing, insurance and possibly even extras.

Not everyone with a chronic illness can work but if you can, Miss Backstrom will get you thinking by offering thought provoking questions on what your physical, mental, and emotional limitations are, show you where to look, what the laws are, and remind you that you aren't alone.

There are several helpful resources. If one doesn't have the help you're looking for, keep going through the list. There seems to be something for everybody here.

Most of all, this book offers hope and guidance to get you back to work so you will again feel like a productive member of society.

Gayle Backstrom is an author who's "Been there. Done that." She has a smooth flowing conversational style that makes you feel like she's in the room with you.

I highly recommend this book.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Sell Us Short!, March 30, 2003

By 

Patricia B. Volz, Ph. D. (Rancho Cordova, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I'd Rather Be Working (Paperback)

Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover, as in the case of Gayle Backstrom's recent release, "I'd Rather Be Working: A Step-by-Step Guide to Financial Self-Support for People With Chronic Illness." The clever cover graphics set the tone for this compact but enormously instructive manual. Aimed primarily at the audience of current or prospective workers who have chronic disabilities, this book encourages readers to keep a personal notebook with job-related information that will enhance and sustain their employability.

Relevant personal experiences of the author and other workers with Chronic Illnesses (CIs), such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, chronic back conditions,asthma, and immunosuppressant illnesses, are included throughout the book. "I'd Rather Be Working" also provides timely information and guidance to supervisory personnel and co-workers about some poorly understood chronic conditions and the challenges they present and how CIs cope with them on a daily basis or during flare-ups.

Chapter Nine, 'Finding That Job,' offers recommendations for both job-seeker and staff for gaining greater understanding of the attitudinal and physical barriers that may exist in the workplace. Many practical suggestions are provided for prospective workers with CIs that will assist them in presenting accurate portrayals of their capabilities and limitations to interviewers.

Advice for discussing necessary accommodations and assistive devices is also provided. Interwoven with this advice to workers, Ms. Backstrom offers real-life examples of how accommodations in keeping with the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA)can be made without undue cost or disruption in the workplace. Blatant or veiled discrimination against workers with CIs and other disabilities, unfortunately, can also be a problem. The material cited in "I'd Rather Be Working" is a gold mine for staff development in this area.

CIs with mental impairments or illnesses are often the target of rampant stigmatization in the workplace. Some developmental disabilities limit certain aspects of cognition, but not the ability or willingness to perform skill-appropriate tasks with competence and pride. Individuals diagnosed with mental illnesses, such as major depression, bipolar disorder, panic/anxiety disorders, and personality disorders, have also been shunned because of others' fears and overgeneralizations.

Even CIs with so-called "invisible symptoms" may react with anxiety, fatigue or flare-ups if they become a target of co-workers' antipathy. Despite adequate accommodations and medical management, rumors and charges of malingering and 'favoritism' in the form of specialized equipment or rest breaks may undermine the employability of eager and well-qualified workers.

"I'd Rather Be Working" includes numerous sidebars, self-assessment tools, statistics and other resources. The book provides an abundance of references from the private sector as well as from government agencies.

Overall, the book is an excellent source for finding and keeping a job as well as for creating a work environment that is CI-friendly. In these days of downsizing and economic fluctuation, I would recommend this book not only to prospective workers with CIs, but also to personnel staff members and to the universe of employees who share the designation, CJSA, that is, Chronic Job Security Anxiety!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I'd Rather Be Working, March 15, 2003

By 

P. Payne "romancefirst" (Wills Point, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I'd Rather Be Working (Paperback)

Ms. Backstrom herself suffers from fibromyalgia, so she understands the trials and struggles of living and trying to work with chronic pain. This book is full of advice, exercises, and practical knowledge to help those with disabilities find work they can do and the help that's available. With testimonials by others who've found a way to deal with their pain and still work, I'D RATHER BE WORKING is a must have for those who need to support themselves while dealing with illness or pain.

Ms. Backstrom takes you through the process of discovering marketable skills, dealing with government agencies, prejudice in the workplace, and laws governing employees with disabilities. If you are suffering from unfair treatment in the workplace, or find yourself unable to continue at your present job and need to discover new options, this is a book you won't want to miss. The book is loaded with resources, from education to job-training to self-tests to jump start the process of returning to work--for yourself or for someone else.

As a sufferer of chronic pain, I found the book to be a great resource as well as a source of encouragement and hope.