Disabled Online Users Association - DOUA
When I became seriously ill about 4 years ago I was unable to work any longer. I tried to by first giving up one part time job, then the other. Both of these were in my given field which was Social Work in a health care environment.
I held onto my full time job as long as I could. It was a telecommuting job as a Customer Service Rep. I ended up really enjoying it plus the perks were out of this world. I could work basically any hours (I did have to make phone calls to retail stores during normal business hours, but the other time was my own to decide when to use it), I could nurse my infant, not put her in daycare, be home when my older daughter came home from school and go to school events. I also didn’t need to drive anywhere, saving gas money, didn’t need a work wardrobe, saving lots of money and didn’t need to eat lunch out as I often did when I worked away from home.
My supervisors were very understanding when I got the diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis. They allowed me more time off for doctor’s appointments, understood if I didn’t get something accomplished on time like I normally would and just “got it”.
But as my muscular weakness progressed, I had issues talking on the phone. I had store managers think I was drunk due to my slurred speech, the employees and even my supervisors couldn’t understand me. I became so fatigued that I made errors and lots of them.
I worked and then slept. That was my day. Nothing else was done. I could barely care for my then toddler. I ended up having to have a caregiver come to our home to watch her. The stress was making the disease worse.
I’ve often heard it said that men identify themselves by their work. But I did too. When I realized I couldn’t work any more, it was one of the hardest decisions to make. I felt like a nothing. I remember going to a counselor and telling her that I viewed myself as a “slob”.
About 6 months later I found DOUA. This is a non-profit group that helps people with any type of disABILITY to learn how to sell online. I just wanted to do something, anything that felt like work! I joined and sold some things from around my house.
I loved this place. It’s not only a teaching site, but a support group too. The little I learned started to help me gain back some of my confidence. I became a grad student after selling 5 items on eBay. Then I was asked to be a mentor. This was such a shock to me!
I still had the mindset that I couldn’t learn so how could I teach. Marjie Smith, the founder and Executive Director, told me that I could help people by being like a cheerleader for them. Giving them a push to strive for more.
I’m happy to say that although it’s taken me years, I’ve kinda sorta got a feel for html. I helped make my own website. I have an eBay store and two blogs. I can get around the internet and join message boards and places like Stumble Upon, Mosaic, My Space, etc.
DOUA gets the job done. It is my favorite non-profit organization because it gives “a hand up not a hand out”.
