28 Yearold Disabled In Need of Advice

[allen_72289]

Hi, I am 28 and struggling with the idea of joining the rat race. My finances are well in order, but I find myself battling boredom on disability. I am considering being a school counselor at community college one day, but I do not need money unless I get married. 

Part of me just wants to travel and take life easy on social security.

The other part wants to work and make difference in lives of others. 

However, the latter comes with many challenges. 

What would you do? Wing it on disability or stay in school?

 

[John61CT]

Do everything possible to be as independent as possible, in every way.

You're starting very late, but it's never too late to start. Pretend you were born into a very poor family a hundred years ago, or today in a less fortunate society.

Take on ever greater challenges, welcome adversity, in order to develop maximum resilience, resourcefulness and perseverance.

Money is not the point, even "happiness" is just a by-product. Your capacity to define and achieve your goals is what matters.

 

[allen_72289]

I have 36 credit hours so far, so it is not as not as late. My developmental math is done too.

 

[John61CT]

I meant in becoming independent, not your education. Never stop learning your whole life, nothing to do with formal qualifications.

IMO the best professions in America are not those dependent on the whims of government funding. And academia has become as turbulent, insecure and labor-exploitative an industry as journalism.

Data analytics, neural networks machine learning and artificial intelligence, robotics, anything furthering automation, or at least not threatened by it.

 

[DannyB1954]

If you want to take a break from studies, there are many volunteer positions open to RV'ers. Most are not paid but give you a parking space and electricity. Since they are not paid positions I don't believe it would interfere with your disability. You could do things like be a camp host, or tour guide. Just today someone is looking for help at the visitors center in Goldfield Nv. https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=30711 There are probably things like that in your area.

 

[allen_72289]

Most people advise me not work because I will lose my benefits... this is what it is I guess.

 

[John61CT]

While you are in your intensive learning phase work for free for organizations and on projects that interest you.

Then start job hunting, the disability income gives you the luxury of waiting until a really good offer comes along that makes it worth your while.

Save the freelancing model for later, maybe starting with side gigs once you have a good full-time job with benefits.

Within a few years you'll look back with scorn at your current situation.

But try not to let your living expenses blow out, save save save for retirement, maybe 30-40%, ideally have the option of getting out of the rat race early.

Do not take on debt for tuition or even "necessary" living expenses, only for high-potential business opportunities.

 

[Headache]

Most people advise me not work because I will lose my benefits... this is what it is I guess.

Then they gave you poor advice.  I'm also on disability.  You have to meet the criteria for 3 years in order to "lose" your disability funds.  Look it up on the SS website for yourself.  I have a friend that has worked quite a bit but not enough to qualify.  They set up the criteria to separate those who were able to find work arounds and became gainfully employed from those of us who can't hold jobs.  I think you'll find the info under Ticket to Work.

 

[Ticklebellly]

Two perspectives come to mind. Others, seeing you work/volunteer, will likely see you as giving back something to the society that provides the SS. How will you view yourself, in self esteem terms, after following either of the paths you are considering in a binary kind of way? A person's opinion of themselves is usually the important perspective.

Staying mentally active and with mentally challenging learning going on as well, is recently reported to be a protective element against depression and cognitive decline.

 

[DLTooley]

Challenging yourself is important, challenging yourself in something that YOU want to challenge yourself on. That could be lots of things. Volunteering for events can be fun, you get to enjoy the energy of the happening, and then it is over, a quick easy accomplishment.

Taking some risks is good, don't sweat the failures that's part of life - or negative people - they are just projecting their own problems on you.

 

[MaryGrace]

Most people advise me not work because I will lose my benefits... this is what it is I guess.

You should look into that further. SSDI will allow people to work part time. There is a earnings limit after which your benefit will be reduced but it is still worth it to work part time on SSDI if you are able. They also have incentives for you to try full time employment without losing benefits. Please contact your local Vocational Rehabilitation Office which you can find on the Department of Education website. They can help you with job searching or even training in some cases. Good Luck

 

[Rabbit]

I learned at age 54 that I should've been considered (physically) disabled from birth. Somehow, I managed to put in 30 years in an auto plant and retire anyway. (It wasn't easy; I'd always suspected that I had to struggle harder than others, but never guessed why.) While not everyone is in a position to "tough it out" regardless, all I can say is that I personally don't regret it. Here's the question I'd ask myself if I were you; it's pretty much my ultimate guide to tough decisions. "Someday, I'll be old and looking at dying very soon. On that day, will I regret my life-choices regarding Subject X?" It's something I've asked myself at least once a month or so about this or that since I was younger than you are, and it's served me well.

 

[allen_72289]

I will look into the Ticket to Work program under the SSI guidelines. I am smart and will work toward a nutritionist degree. My bigggest fear is scraping by in my old age

 

[morongobill]

Check out the YouTuber, Will Prowse.

 

[bullfrog]

Do the best you can with what you have.

 

[Canine]

It's nice to kick back and accept the benefits, but there is more reward working for a living while contributing to society.

 

[Mandolyn]

Hmmm...

I'm also on disability. Someone crashed into the back of my truck. Hit and run. So now I'm trying to get healthy enough for back surgery. Not fun, but good for me in the long run.

Thing is, people on disability are not a drain on society. The amount you receive each month is totally dependent on the amount of money you paid in during your working lifetime. If you do not pay in, you are not eligible for benefits. I believe minors are the exception to this. Anyhow. So. You receive your monthly disbursement.  What's the first thing you do? Yup. Pay your bills. Buy your groceries. You spend the money that you have earned. As such, you are a contributing member of society. Spending money employs others, who who also take their earnings and pay their bills, also contributing to society.

As for keeping mentally active, I've always said that my only regret about dying is that I won't have time to read ALL the books, so I'm working on this. Since I have a bit of time I'm pecking away at writing my own. Also, not being in a hurry, I have time to pay it forward. Really listen and respond to the older lady in front of me at the checkout line. Take time to enjoy my time outside. Smile at people and wish them a good day.  

So. That's my take on disability. Make of it what you will.