Lost my job today kind of bummed out

[Arcanetrance]

Some here may know im losing my vision and while normally it doesn't give me problems with my job as a chef. Today we had a new guy start and he came into my blind spot carrying a hot pan without announcing himself. I turned and ran into him and hot food went everywhere. The chef after having a talk with me said with vision loss I'm a liability in the kitchen. So now I'm jobless and left wondering about life.

[magical thyme]

1. ...

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. I would be bummed too.

You got any good connections for another job?

( No, NSA, the word "connections" used here does not mean anything illegal............. )

[Arcanetrance]

5. Sort of I have an always open offer if I move back to NYC to take my old job back.

The problem is I'm not sure if my step mom can take care of my dad by herself the reason I moved to Houston was to help her take care of my dad after he had his stroke. He still hasn't really recovered well and most of the time I was off from work was basically her time to do stuff like go shopping and such.

[SammyWinstonJack]

3. So very sorry.

[rug]

4. Geez. Apply for unemployment.

Then check out your state to see if it has programs for the visually impaired.

Try not to stay down.

[Trajan]

6. I don't know what your income requirements are ...

As with me, it's probably 'as much as possible' ...

Houston has LOTS of food establishments ... from high end restaurants to lowly food carts ... surely you can find a niche somewhere that can accommodate your needs ...

Don't give up .. you are not beaten yet ...

[LiberalEsto]

7. Oh that is awful

I saw from your profile that you're in Texas

Here's a link for services for blind and visually impaired people in Texas.
http://www.dars.state.tx.us/dbs/index.shtml

Maybe they have some kind of program that can help you. Maybe they have resources for finding jobs. Good luck.

Also I see you're from New Brunswick, NJ. I went to Rutgers and lived in and around New Brunswick for many years. It's a shame how many good places have been wiped out by redevelopment there.

[Arcanetrance]

8. I'm thinking on leaving Texas back for NYC I have a job

That's open there for me. Plus the transit here in Houston sucks. Redevelopment pisses me off in ways that'll make me get on a soap box and not get off for a long time.

Btw if you're ever back in new Brunswick they just opened a place called white rose system. I used to go to the one in roselle Park and get the double cheeseburger with with pork roll on it. Delicious perfectly greasy the whole nine

[LiberalEsto]

12. I could rant about New Brunswick's redevelopment for hours, but I won't

I had a front-row seat to it in the 1970s and 1980s. New Brunswick is the parking deck capital of the world, and those parking decks replaced a lot of good neighborhoods, restaurants and bars.

Best of luck with making the move to NYC!

[MH1]

9. Very sorry to hear this. Maybe a dumb question, but are you

eligible for any kind of disability insurance? I know it's a pain to apply and takes a while to come through, but the gist is supposed to be that if you can't continue working in your normal occupation due to physical disability, you might be able to get some kind of help. Sounds like your eyesight might qualify you, especially if you just got fired for something that happened due to an eyesight problem.

On the other hand, employers are supposed to make "reasonable accommodations" for employees with physical handicaps. Maybe run that one by a lawyer.

Meanwhile get unemployment at least.

Good luck. Hope things work out ok.

[Arcanetrance]

13. That was suggested to me since I'd definitely qualify for disability

My eye sight with glasses is 20/800 and 20/600

[Chan790]

14. "'reasonable accommodations' for employees with physical handicaps."

This. Really, as a disabled person who has worked in a restaurant kitchen, it's not hard to make those kinds of reasonable accommodations. (My partial disability is auditory where his is visual but the accommodations are often the same.)

The easiest one is to train staff to supplement the verbal "behind-you" with a shoulder touch. Then you know if someone is behind you or about to walk behind you. There's also accommodations relying on positioning, both slight movements of furniture to eliminate blind-spots and the addition of mirrors in corners so you can see behind you. Lastly, they have to attempt to accommodate disabilities where possible by finding other jobs/positions where the disability is a non-factor.

[Scruffy Rumbler]

16. ^^^THIS^^^

[Chan790]

10. I have some ideas for you.

Can you bake? I know a lot of chefs can't or won't bake, but TX is one of growing number of states where it is legal to run a cottage food-industry business out of one's kitchen with a reasonable amount of regulation. Both in terms of regulation and ease of startup, it seems baking is the way to go in that industry according to people that have done it. Catering is a bit harder to get past regulations but is also a possibility. The fact that you'd be working alone mitigates the eyesight issue to an extent. (I understand. I'm hard-of-hearing with a balance impairment; my cooking partner is my kid brother because after 20 years we have a natural synchronicity...and he knows to touch my shoulder before walking behind me. He's ended up wearing a 6qt. dutch oven's worth of soup before with a broken foot.)

Here's a link to a TX cottage food resource website: http://www.texascottagefoodlaw.com/

Have you done any food-writing? I got the link this morning, one of the larger culinary blogs on the internet is hiring per-piece culinary writers. One of the areas they listed as desirable was TX. I know you've written here before about food but I don't recall if there was enough to put together a portfolio. They also have an interest in promoting the blogs of their writers especially where that can bring something unique to their offerings...perhaps you might try/offer to write about "cooking and disability"...I know I'd be interested in that and it's an uncovered niche AFAIK.

http://www.thekitchn.com/want-to-write-for-us-the-kitchn-is-hiring-199631

[Arcanetrance]

11. Actually I'm really good at baking I love doing it.

I've thought about doing writing I've always had issues exposing my writing to the world

[Yavin4]

15. I don't think that your boss can fire you. See the Americans with Disability Act.

He cannot fire you if you have a disability. I may be wrong.

You should consult a lawyer.

[DebJ]

28. This only applies if the employer knew of the disabililty at the time of hire,

I am fairly sure. This came up frequently with my son who has bipolar disorder,
not something one wants to reveal in the hiring process.

[Scruffy Rumbler]

17. The best of luck to you Arcanetrance!

So many people have given you great ideas! I hope something opens up for you soon.

If I may be so bold...give yourself a day or two to process your change of circumstance, but then get working on a plan!

This thread is a great resource for a multi prong approach.
1. Contact your Employment office and get that working.
2. Contact services for blind and visually impaired people in Texas. http://www.dars.state.tx.us/dbs/index.shtml * LiberalEsto
3. Investigate disability. With your increasing loss of vision, if you don't qualify now, you may in the future.

And again, if I may offer this suggestion...acquire a 3 ring binder with dividers that have pockets. One sleeve for each area of your life. When I went through this, I used this tool. It helped me to feel in control of my life when everything and everyone seemed to be telling me differently!
1. Last job: I had as much paperwork from my last job(pay stubs, letters of reference's, contact info).
2. Unemployment.
3. one for each utilizes, CC,
you get the idea.

Be easy on yourself....

The best of luck to you Arcanetrance!

[Arcanetrance]

19. I'm definitely going to take a few days I have a lot to evaluate

I did investigate disability I do qualify you have to have atleast 20/200 vision in both eyes with correction to qualify for disability as legally blind and I'm 20/800 and 20/600 in my eyes with correction If I do stay in Texas and not move back home I'll definitely set up an appointment with the division for the blind here.

[adirondacker]

22. I think the DUer Underpants works for the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Perhaps you can PM him and get some advice. If you're in NY, then I may be able to contact an old friend that works with the association in NYC.

[Arcanetrance]

24. If I do end up moving back I'll definitely message him and let you know

[adirondacker]

26. I think he's in the DC area, but may give you some perspective.

I have a good friend that is well connected with the association (she has worked there for over 25 years). She is in Minnesota, but keeps up with someone I have met and works for the association in NYC. PM me if you return to NY! In the meantime, keep your chin up and know that better things can and will happen.

[Scruffy Rumbler]

23. You mentioned you are assisting with your father's care, I am with my mother's.

Moved back to NY from Oregon to give her a home, which led to two years of unemployment and a year of underemployment. Its been a rough few years and not looking to get much easier anytime soon.

My heart goes out to you as you face the challenges you've been dealt. Had to deal with the realization that I have been losing my hearing. Caused some issues at my last job leading to a hearing test. Life can deal us some sh*t!

Peace,
Scruffy

[Arcanetrance]

25. I'm sorry about your hearing loss I hope the situation with your mother improves as well

Life does like to screw with us at times. Do you know what is causing your hearing loss.

[Scruffy Rumbler]

30. Age! LOL

And as a teen, I had a job in a very loud kitchen with no hearing protection. Never was one for loud concerts and such. My mother has hearing aides and both her parents had hearing loss as they aged. I am at the point where they thought I could use them but at my age I wouldn't! lol

[adirondacker]

29. Caretaking is one of the most difficult circumstances to deal with in this day and age.

I did it for 7 years and I finally broke. It cost me a lot physically, emotionally and financially. I hope you are getting some assistance from the Office for the Aging.

Much sympathy and respect.

[Scruffy Rumbler]

31. adirondacker! That's my neck of the woods!

My sister and I are starting our third year together as guardians for our mother. I have a family member that runs a company that provides service coordinators. She hooked me up with Southern Adirondack Independent Living. They helped me enroll mom in several social programs that make it possible.

My partner bought us a two family home in GF. Sis and Mom live downstairs, we live upstairs. Thankfully, Between SS, retirement and the programs she qualifies for, all her needs are covered including in home care! Thank you Democrats and progressives! I manage her business and offer support to sis as she manages mom's care. Alzheimer's sucks big time!

Thanks for the words of support!

[adirondacker]

32. You're welcome!

I have a good friend that's in a similar situation as yourself. Dementia is a tough illness to deal with on a constant basis.
I was doing it solo after having lost my sister to cancer. Fortunately I had friends to reach out to for support. The OFA gave me 20 hrs a week and provided meals for my mother, Her retirement pension and SS were 1000.00 a month. Enough to pay rent and utilities and nothing more.

GF! I'm on the other side (SW)I loved the Thai restaurant, bakery and the brewery there! Seems like a nice community. ( I worked on the GE PCB cleanup during the first phase)

Take Care!

[Hula Popper]

18. Sorry about your situation

Please be careful about filing a complaint about this employer. I was let go after refusing to counterfeit and sign a letter stipulating environmental compliance. That was in '98. I never received a reply to a job want ad again.
The sole purpose of business is to stay in business! There is no empathy regarding their employees.
PM me if you need full explanation.
Dennis

[applegrove]

20. So sorry.

[adirondacker]

21. I'm so sorry to hear this.

I hope this situation turns to be a better one Soon!

I lost, what I thought was going to be a career position, this last July due to monetary cutbacks. I ended up with a better position 7 months later, but that 7 months was a wicked stressful and depressing time.
Make sure you keep your friends close!

[PumpkinAle]

27. So sorry