Future employment

Going back to work may seem like an impossible task in the early days after the onset of an SCI.

The potential loss of an existing job can be a devastating blow, not only to the injured person’s identity but also to their sense of worth and self-respect. 

• • It may be that you are the main bread winner for your family and your job has been compromised by the impact of your relative’s SCI on your working life.
  • Having to take long periods of time off work may become complicated, especially if your colleagues are carrying your workload or your employer is not sympathetic to your situation.
  • In addition, there is the potential loss of a close working relationship with colleagues in the workplace.

Until the full extent of the injury is known and hospital rehabilitation has come to an end, it will be difficult to make concrete plans for a return to work.

• • But employers can do a great deal to encourage and reassure your or your relative that they have a future in employment.
  • Your role may be to make an initial approach to the employer and open up a dialogue about the future.
  • Many people do go back to work at a later stage, either to the same work or to another job within the company, or they might have a career change or become self-employed.
  • Having an SCI definitely doesn’t mean that a person will not be able to work again, but they may find that they need to go back to college to learn other skills.

Alternative options

Alternatively you may not be working, either because you have retired or because you have chosen to stay at home to bring up a young family.

If for financial reasons you have to return to work, you may feel resentful and also extremely anxious, especially if you have been out of the workplace for a long time. For some people it requires courage to go back into a working environment after a long time away, having to adjust to new technology, meeting different people and relearning forgotten skills.

Your children may also find it very difficult not having their mum or dad at home as before and will need help adjusting to a new routine which could include child care outside normal school hours.

As a way of supporting each other during this period, and if you have older children, it may help to talk together as a family about the forthcoming changes in routine.

This will enable everyone to express their views and could leave you feeling more united and having more of an insight into how each other feels. It might also help you to decide on what is your best course of action for the future, both in terms of employment and roles within your home.

Support from SIA

The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) aims to provide spinal cord injured people with the information, support and encouragement needed when considering returning to work, education or volunteering after injury.

The support they offer includes:

• Advice for you and your employer on returning to your previous employment post injury
• Helping you to consider new options on returning to work if you can’t return to your previous employment
• Information on colleges that offer vocational retraining
• Contact details for further education
• Opportunities and assistance finding voluntary work Information about Employment Support Allowance including assistance in completing the Capacity to Work form.

They also offer training, such as Master Classes in various aspects of life and work, and Employment Clinics.

A personal story

My husband’s injury was incomplete and he was able to walk on crutches. He could only work part-time and our income suffered as a consequence.

I decided to go back to work after my husband’s SCI. Our youngest child was in his early 20s, had a girlfriend and was talking about moving out to share a flat with friends.

I hadn’t worked since having the children and at first I was incredibly nervous about going back into a working environment. I had to do a refresher course and learn about the latest office equipment and eventually went to work as a secretary in a firm of Estate Agents.

At first I found it exhausting and felt really resentful about the whole situation, although I wouldn’t have dreamt of telling my husband how I felt. It is now four years since his accident and I am actually really enjoying my job. I now work in Lettings and my salary has increased which helps with the household bills.

I don’t think it helped my husband’s self esteem to begin with. He realises now that it actually was a good thing, as I needed to get out of a rut and get some confidence back. My husband now works more from home which he enjoys, although I think he would still like to be able to get out and about a bit more.”

The following link will take you to more personal stories