Question:
I guess a hello and who am I would help. Hi <some nervous smile, I’m Robin. That’s not the birth name, but we’re hopeful that will eventually get changed.
Hi, Robin. Welcome to asd. I’m glad that you are here and are posting. It’s always nice to meet new ppl. (: I’m not certain that this is the right forum, but I’m not certain where would be the right place… I’m not done with the therapy and such, but I am to the point I’m trying to start building a life.
I don’t think most of us here are finished with therapy. Ppl here are in various stages on their path to healing. And of course, each of our paths are different. I like that about the group. I’m glad that you are trying to build a new life. That’s hard and you are courageous to do so. My long term goal is to be a High School Math/Computer teacher, but I’m still looking at that as a very ambitious goal.
It is ambitious. It sounds like a good goal. Some Background… In spite of a PTSD, DID and a learning disability, I managed to complete my BS degree in Computer Science and work ten years in the field. In ‘93 the house of cards collapsed and my world slowly crumbled into a series of psychiatric hospitalizations. I wouldn’t claim I’m never going to need to go back, but I’ve managed a slow but steady progress without needing hospitalization for two years.
Congratulations. That’s a major accomplishment. I hope you feel good about it. I’m collecting SSA-Disability and, while it’s not a life of luxury, I’ve got a roof, food, the computer and my car. It’s a real scramble to keep things going, but I can treat myself to an ice-cream or even an occasional paperback book.
I’m glad that you have the material things that you need, including a few luxuries. (: The question is — are there any Federal or California State resources that might help me with college? In particular, assistance with getting back into school. My GPA wasn’t anything all that impressive, the degree is now nearly twenty years old and I’ve got a gap of four year on my resume. Is there someone that can talk about their experence at returning to work after a long ‘outage’?
Not me, but I bet others can. All I know about resources are the usual loans and grants and the Dept. of Rehabilitation. There are several books available on returning to college after a long break. Perhaps one of them would be helpful. You might also try to talk to someone at a college you might want to attend. I’m not sure who the right ppl would be, but maybe the admissions dept. could direct you to the proper dept. Good luck. I do think that those resources are available, but I don’t know what they are. I’m feeling short on the courage part of encouragement and I’m trying to ease my way into something that makes me feel good. Is it wishful thinking, when I say I’d like to be a teacher. Is the psych hospital an automatic down-check for the occupation?
I doubt it, but you might check with the Dept. of Education or a college that trains teachers and ask about credentialing. They should be able to help you with this. I do think it might be a strike against you, so you might not be able to teach in your first choice of schools, but you can always work your way up. Again, talking to someone at a college that trains teachers (and helps place them) could probably help you figure out what your best course of action might be. I think it’s admirable that you want to be a teacher. I think that having been in a psych hospital might actually help you work with lots of kids. And I know that some members of the group teach kids in schools and have been hospitalized. So I think it is possible for you to be a teacher (although credentialing varies from state to state). Again, good luck. I hope that you’ll keep us posted on your progress (and setbacks). Thanks for sharing your background and goals. That was brave. e uncertain Robin Forest
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Response:
I guess a hello and who am I would help. Hi <some nervous smile, I’m Robin. That’s not the birth name, but we’re hopeful that will eventually get changed. I’m not certain that this is the right forum, but I’m not certain where would be the right place… I’m not done with the therapy and such, but I am to the point I’m trying to start building a life. My long term goal is to be a High School Math/Computer teacher, but I’m still looking at that as a very ambitious goal. Some Background… In spite of a PTSD, DID and a learning disability, I managed to complete my BS degree in Computer Science and work ten years in the field. In ‘93 the house of cards collapsed and my world slowly crumbled into a series of psychiatric hospitalizations. I wouldn’t claim I’m never going to need to go back, but I’ve managed a slow but steady progress without needing hospitalization for two years. I’m collecting SSA-Disability and, while it’s not a life of luxury, I’ve got a roof, food, the computer and my car. It’s a real scramble to keep things going, but I can treat myself to an ice-cream or even an occasional paperback book. The question is — are there any Federal or California State resources that might help me with college? In particular, assistance with getting back into school. My GPA wasn’t anything all that impressive, the degree is now nearly twenty years old and I’ve got a gap of four year on my resume. Is there someone that can talk about their experence at returning to work after a long ‘outage’? I’m feeling short on the courage part of encouragement and I’m trying to ease my way into something that makes me feel good. Is it wishful thinking, when I say I’d like to be a teacher. Is the psych hospital an automatic down-check for the occupation? uncertain Robin Forest
Response:
[snipage] – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Not me, but I bet others can. All I know about resources are the usual loans and grants and the Dept. of Rehabilitation. There are several books available on returning to college after a long break. Perhaps one of them would be helpful. You might also try to talk to someone at a college you might want to attend. I’m not sure who the right ppl would be, but maybe the admissions dept. could direct you to the proper dept. Good luck. I do think that those resources are available, but I don’t know what they are. I’m feeling short on the courage part of encouragement and I’m trying to ease my way into something that makes me feel good. Is it wishful thinking, when I say I’d like to be a teacher. Is the psych hospital an automatic down-check for the occupation? I doubt it, but you might check with the Dept. of Education or a college that trains teachers and ask about credentialing. They should be able to help you with this. I do think it might be a strike against you, so you might not be able to teach in your first choice of schools, but you can always work your way up. Again, talking to someone at a college that trains teachers (and helps place them) could probably help you figure out what your best course of action might be. I think it’s admirable that you want to be a teacher. I think that having been in a psych hospital might actually help you work with lots of kids. And I know that some members of the group teach kids in schools and have been hospitalized. So I think it is possible for you to be a teacher (although credentialing varies from state to state). Again, good luck. I hope that you’ll keep us posted on your progress (and setbacks). Thanks for sharing your background and goals. That was brave. e uncertain Robin Forest
I’ve talked with people at the school I’d like to attend. The people in the education department were generally pleased, but the college has a school wide grade-point requirement. Because of the combination of needing to both move finish my original degree quickly and the lack of understanding about my type of learning disability, my GPA isn’t quite up to the standard. So, I’ll be attending a Junior College to start. Aside from the grade point requirement, I’m in great shape for getting in. I past and did well on the CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test)the first time I took it. Something that some teachers have to retake several times. The third requirement is to complete the core courses in my field. In my discussion with the math department, my BS in Computer Science has more than enough math, statistics and computer courses to be prepared. They’d like me to take a couple of courses specifically for teachers. (IE. learn the offical buzz-words, but they are pleased with my GPA in the core courses.) It was a disapointment not to get into the cradential program directly, but I’m trying to look at this as a good reason to learn about teaching disabled children. I’d rather focus on mobility, commuication and perceptually challanged children than ones that aren’t able or willing to progress, but I believe I’d take true pleasure in working to teach computer skills to those that need assistance communicating with others. Computers may, one day, be the great equalizer that allow challenged children to thrive and become contributing members of society. It probably sounds trite, but I had a Geometry teacher in High School that took a street-rat and gave them a sense of worth and possability. It took twenty years for that seed to turn into much in the way of Self-Esteem, but he was one of the very few people that gave me some positive and productive goals. I won’t say that he made it possible for me to go to college, but he was a reason to go to school every day I could and school was the high part of my day. (It was a lot more likely to be survived than being on the streets.) If I can plant even one seed like that, I think I’ll feel pretty good. Can you tell me what you know about the ‘usual loans, grants and Department of Rehabilitation’? I’m truly clueless about what help might be available. I did my BS with no help and no idea that there was anything other than my ‘lazy’ attitude. Now that I understand more about my problem, I’m going to try to get help getting around it. A ‘lazy stupid’ kid doesn’t have a composite score on 1470 on the SAT or get a BS in Computer Science.
Response:
[snipage] [...] I’m feeling short on the courage part of encouragement and I’m trying to ease my way into something that makes me feel good. Is it wishful thinking, when I say I’d like to be a teacher. Is the psych hospital an automatic down-check for the occupation?
nope, don’t think you even have to disclose it most places. don’t think that legally they are allowed to ask about mental or physical conditions without putting the qualifier: …that would prevent you from performing this job, or something like that. which means that you answer: no, there is no condition that would prevent me from performing…. the thing they background check for is criminal records–so if your fingerprints are on file anywhere for criminal violations, they’ll get that. [...] – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve talked with people at the school I’d like to attend. The people in the education department were generally pleased, but the college has a school wide grade-point requirement. Because of the combination of needing to both move finish my original degree quickly and the lack of understanding about my type of learning disability, my GPA isn’t quite up to the standard. So, I’ll be attending a Junior College to start. Aside from the grade point requirement, I’m in great shape for getting in. I past and did well on the CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test)the first time I took it. Something that some teachers have to retake several times. The third requirement is to complete the core courses in my field. In my discussion with the math department, my BS in Computer Science has more than enough math, statistics and computer courses to be prepared. They’d like me to take a couple of courses specifically for teachers. (IE. learn the offical buzz-words, but they are pleased with my GPA in the core courses.)
this is cool 
and the first couple years are general intro courses anyway. the degree will still be from the program, so where you spend the first two years will not matter a bit in the long run. It was a disapointment not to get into the cradential program directly, but I’m trying to look at this as a good reason to learn about teaching disabled children. I’d rather focus on mobility, commuication and perceptually challanged children than ones that aren’t able or willing to progress, but I believe I’d take true pleasure in working to teach computer skills to those that need assistance communicating with others. Computers may, one day, be the great equalizer that allow challenged children to thrive and become contributing members of society.
this sounds really neat! wonder, tho, if teaching is the field that would get you doing this. you might take some time to check out the various support services in schools and rehab hospitals and stuff, cuz this kind of sounds like what an occupational therapist might do, or a speech and language therapist, or communications specialist, or something. there are all sorts of professionals that work in the schools besides the teachers. maybe being in the junior college will give you the opportunity to really explore *which* credentialling program you want to transfer to :) It probably sounds trite, but I had a Geometry teacher in High School that took a street-rat and gave them a sense of worth and possability. It took twenty years for that seed to turn into much in the way of Self-Esteem, but he was one of the very few people that gave me some positive and productive goals. I won’t say that he made it possible for me to go to college, but he was a reason to go to school every day I could and school was the high part of my day. (It was a lot more likely to be survived than being on the streets.) If I can plant even one seed like that, I think I’ll feel pretty good.
not trite at all. that’s the miracle of caring contact. amazing how little it actually takes to have such a powerful impact, sometimes Can you tell me what you know about the ‘usual loans, grants and Department of Rehabilitation’? I’m truly clueless about what help might be available. I did my BS with no help and no idea that there was anything other than my ‘lazy’ attitude. Now that I understand more about my problem, I’m going to try to get help getting around it. A ‘lazy stupid’ kid doesn’t have a composite score on 1470 on the SAT or get a BS in Computer Science.
go to the vocational counseling and the financial aid offices at the junior college. they should have all that information there (or most of it). also check out your state’s dept of rehabilitation, or whatever it is called. and call your local human services referral hotline and tell them what you are looking for and they should be able to give you the places to check. good luck astri #AKA pink bunnies# `o’_* |/(((( |/ All conditions are temporary — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I guess a hello and who am I would help. Hi <some nervous smile, I’m Robin. That’s not the birth name, but we’re hopeful that will eventually get changed. I’m not certain that this is the right forum, but I’m not certain where would be the right place… I’m not done with the therapy and such, but I am to the point I’m trying to start building a life. My long term goal is to be a High School Math/Computer teacher, but I’m still looking at that as a very ambitious goal. Some Background… In spite of a PTSD, DID and a learning disability, I managed to complete my BS degree in Computer Science and work ten years in the field. In ‘93 the house of cards collapsed and my world slowly crumbled into a series of psychiatric hospitalizations. I wouldn’t claim I’m never going to need to go back, but I’ve managed a slow but steady progress without needing hospitalization for two years. I’m collecting SSA-Disability and, while it’s not a life of luxury, I’ve got a roof, food, the computer and my car. It’s a real scramble to keep things going, but I can treat myself to an ice-cream or even an occasional paperback book. The question is — are there any Federal or California State resources that might help me with college? In particular, assistance with getting back into school. My GPA wasn’t anything all that impressive, the degree is now nearly twenty years old and I’ve got a gap of four year on my resume. Is there someone that can talk about their experence at returning to work after a long ‘outage’? I’m feeling short on the courage part of encouragement and I’m trying to ease my way into something that makes me feel good. Is it wishful thinking, when I say I’d like to be a teacher. Is the psych hospital an automatic down-check for the occupation? uncertain Robin Forest
Hi and welcome! As for the psych hospital keeping you from teaching, well it never stopped me! Of course I never told them about it either… At least in IL no one ever asked so I just kept my mouth shut about it. In CO no one seems to care either. All they worry about is that you aren’t an abuser or axe murderer. Assuming you weren’t hospitalized for either of these you should be ok. I’m still in my ‘gap’ so I’m not sure how much help this will be, but I stopped working at my chosen profession (teacher and therapist for kids with severe behavior problems) to work on my healing. Since then I’ve held done afew minor jobs just to keep health insurance and get spending money. For all intents my resume has a gap in it. When someone asks I point to things I’ve done during that time as the reason and, so far, they buy it (I moved from IL to CO, got married and am building my house) even though those aren’t the _real_ reasons I haven’t worked. They don’t need to know it though! Rainbow Colors (Jill) — I choose to post non-anon because my abusers are afraid. They would have to admit something happened in order to confront me; this they will never do. They are the only people who will be upset if they know who I am, and they are too afraid to admit to what they did. Black of Rainbow Colors
Response:
I’ve talked with people at the school I’d like to attend. The people in the education department were generally pleased, but the college has a school wide grade-point requirement. Because of the combination of needing to both move finish my original degree quickly and the lack of understanding about my type of learning disability, my GPA isn’t quite up to the standard. I did my BS with no help and no idea that there was anything other than my ‘lazy’ attitude. Now that I understand more about my problem, I’m going to try to get help getting around it. A ‘lazy stupid’ kid doesn’t have a composite score on 1470 on the SAT or get a BS in Computer Science.
Darn straight! I’m glad you are unlearning those old wrong tapes. Assuming you are in the US (I think no-one else uses SATs, yes?) remember that your learning disability entitles you to protection against discrimination (Americans with Disabilities Act of ????) and also to get whatever special help you need to reasonably accomodate your LD. For example, untimed tests or oral tests, depending on your exact LD. I am speaking off the top of my head on this, so I hope anyone with more precise information can either back me up or correct me. The downside is that you have to be willing to be "public" about your disability (my husband has severe learning disabilities but he is unwilling to let any employer know, so he receives no special assistance – but he did in school, all sorts of accomodations.) It’s possible that, given your later high test scores once your LD was diagnosed, you can get the school to ignore your lower GPA and let you proceed as anyone else would (if that’s what you want.) I think your ambition to be a teacher is great, and I’m glad you had a math teacher who inspired you some in your life…..all the best luck to you! peace, who-am-i — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:
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