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[log in to unmask] wrote: > I'm also 52 with PD. Two years ago I was cut from the company I worked for > as a Quality Engineer, due to corporate cut backs. I was with the company > for eight years. They said that they eliminated my position for financial > reasons, but they had to hire someone to fill my position within one month after > I left the company. I know that the main reason I was let go was, that my > boss was uncomfortable being around me. His father passed away with > parkinsons. For months he would ask if I ever thought of trying to get disability. > during the exit meeting with the plant manager, HR, and Quality manager I asked > if the main reason they laid me off was because I had PD? They all denied > that they knew that I had PD. They lied, they knew that I had PD for years. > > Well any way, I interviewed with a company and they were impressed with my > resume but were reluctant to hire me because they were not sure that I would be > physically able to perform the job requirements. Did they say that ?? > I convinced them that I > was the person that they needed. I made a deal to contract my services to > this company on a temporary basis, and if they liked my performance they could > hire me direct within six months to a year, I have just been hired in as a > Program Manager after working as my own contractor for 19 months. > > Sometimes you have to prove yourself to a prospective employer when you have > PD. When job hunting you have to sell yourself extra hard. I sent my resume > to several companies and there were several I interviewed with that did not > ask me in for a second interview. I learned from each interview and sold my > self harder. I know it is depressing when you get rejected at each interview, > I've been there. I have learned that you need to make the best with the > hand that you have been dealt. PD is going to be with you for the rest of your > life. > > With the job market in the dumper the way it is now, it is even harder to > compete for jobs. They are not as plentiful as they used to be. One thing I > found is, you need to keep your sense of humor or you will go nuts. Good luck > in your job search Amanda. One thing you might want to try is don't mention > that you have PD over the phone to the employment agent wait until the > interview. > > Hang in there, good things come to those who wait. > > Keith > > > In a message dated 10/3/2008 2:02:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > [log in to unmask] writes: > > I just got made redundant due to the "credit crunch" - > any ideas how to stop employers heading for the horizon > when they find out I'm a 52-year-old with PD ? > > Yes, my left side shakes, so I walk with a stick & my typing > speed isn't what it was, but I can think, talk and fix software - now > how do I convince some wizzy 25-year-old employment agent of that, > one such couldn't hang up the phone fast enough just now (ass!). > > Amanda > (aging but still kicking) > > > > I hear many older people say that about the younger employers. I also hear the 20's somethings say that the "old" people dont' listen to them or think that they (20's) aren't responsible. I am beginning to realize that it isn't really what disease or illness you have it is all percerption of oneself and how others perceive you. Find a vocational rehab specialist. Your doctor may know of such a person. Do not tell ur employer you have PD. Just b/c someone has tremors doesn't mean they have PD or MS. If asked legally you do not have to tell anyone! Why don't u take ur old employer's customers?? You could probabally make more consulting than as a employee? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn