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I am currently a client of my state's Vocational Rehabilitation office, but so far this hasn't borne any results. They have me see a person once a week who just sends my resume to places through on-line job sites. The problem with me is that I bomb interviews because I am intimidated that the job is above my head. I just bombed yet another interview this past Wednesday. Despite my high Verbal IQ, I have such strong weaknesses as well that it feels like I can't handle any half-way demanding job. It feels so unfair that a disability totally beyond my control and for which I am not remotely at fault limits me in life so much.

Well, it sounds like your disability isn't what's limiting you; it's your lack of self-confidence!

If you think you can't do it, then it's pretty much guaranteed that you can't. You know? It's a self-fulfilling prophesy.

SOOOO....

What can you do to build your confidence?

Start small,
start with something mangeable (dare I say, "easy")

An internship or volunteer position might be just the thing! That way, there is less pressure.

What kind of volunteer/internship opportunity should you look for? something fun! or something you are really passionate about.

as was suggested before, your college career office should be able to help with this. They will have local information which is best but here are a few websites with nationwide coverage:

http://www.volunteermatch.org/
http://www.ysa.org/Resources/ToolsandWebsites/tabid/285/Default.aspx
http://internships.about.com/
http://www.internzoo.com/

volunteering might be just the thing because your fellow volunteers won't be judging your performance , they will be sharing in your enthusiasm and willingess to help. you can pick up useful skills and even a recommendation or two at the end. win win win!

Asiral. I have been given more than one test. It basically, from what I've figured, boils down to environment during testing. Your 135 is the 99th %le, that is awesome in that the subtest required for those index construct are the most reliable and valid of all the remaining subtests.1

After much reading I found that "labels" can be devastating, but one must remember that the results of ANY tests are TENTATIVE! Keep your head up!

My major in college was Linguistics, but honestly, I hated it and regret choosing it. I did not learn anything in it. The only reason I did not change it was because I chose my major late in my college career to begin with, (at the end of the second year) without having taken classes in it before the end of the second year at all. And since I wanted to graduate on time, I did not change it.

Now as for the degree to which my CP affects me. I have mild to moderate spastic diplegia, meaning that both of my legs are very tight and there is slight spasticity in my arms too (but the main effect is in my legs). I walk on my own two feet without any aids, however I limp and have a characteristic gait. Obviously, I am horrible at sports but I can go about my life relatively normally. As for speech, I have no impairment at all. So, there is just the physical effect and a learning disability.

I don't have a driver's license (and don't know if I'll ever get one since I am not confident in my ability to master driving) but I live in NYC so as long as the job is in the city, I can use public transportation.

I currently volunteer at Cerebral Palsy of NYS (however, I swear my CP had nothing to do with my ending up there.). It's basically an agency that services people with mental retardation and motor impairment through group homes, day centers and clinics. I volunteer in their central office doing menial clerical tasks: filing, alphabetizing, data entry, photocopying and faxing. However, I feel that while I can do this, I don't cognitively master the job as well as I'd like and am thus very discouraged. I also feel like I overstayed my welcome there and people are giving me hints that it's time to move on. Also, there is no chance of my getting a paid job there and I don't feel that's the best place for me to work at. Basically, I need to put my life in some definitive direction, since things are hanging on a limbo. I am being supported by my parents and social security disability but what if my parents are gone prematurely? I am 24 years old and really need some future.

Wow, MON! You should publish that post for all job seekers. LOADS of wisdom there! Just heaps and heaps!



I hope you're taking everything in there, asiral. She's so on the mark! Take it and run with it.