Advice needed, please...

bump

I’ll be brutally honest with you.
What does your current living situation actually look like? I assume you’re still living with your parents and they’re mostly supporting you. That can’t go on forever, though; eventually, you’re going to be left to fend for yourself... sorry if that sounds a bit morbid.
Looking further down the road, you should also keep in mind that here in the States, we really can't count on Social Security providing much in our old age. Relying on it is practically impossible, so even those $767 aren't exactly guaranteed..

If you take that benefit now and spend a few years learning a skill that makes you employable, could you eventually regain your status as an able-bodied worker? Maybe check that out on the Law subforum, or consult with someone who knows the ropes.
The situation doesn't have to be black and white. Making a choice like this might not be a life sentence; it could just be a temporary measure until you get your footing.

Thirdly, how much does your vision loss actually impact your ability to work?
Did you bold your post because your eyesight isn't great, or was there some other reason? Even with that kind of struggle, there might still be jobs out there for you.
I’m thinking of things like customer support, sales, and so on—the list goes on. For instance, I know about freelance gigs in translation or subtitling movies. There are plenty of freelance sites with a huge variety of options. There is a massive range of things you could do to earn a living or specialize in; they just aren't the "classic" jobs that immediately come to mind. You have to find them through research and a little bit of luck.

I realize all of this is pretty demotivating, especially since you've found yourself in such a rough spot at such a young age, but hang in there. Eventually, a good combination of circumstances will probably surface. I hope you get some more ideas and suggestions here.

Greetings. I was actually thinking about posting something quite similar to what William Sanders6 suggested... essentially, you really ought to seek out perspectives from every possible angle—consult with attorneys, talk to medical professionals and social workers, reach out to organizations like the American Foundation for the Blind, check in with your insurance provider, and various other agencies. Take at least a full week to go through all those channels before you make any final decisions.
Personally, I would lean toward accepting that offer, simply because it provides a certain level of lifelong security regarding your basic needs... it ensures you won't be left struggling just to eat, while still allowing you to pursue further education or focus on private ventures that they can't interfere with. Of course, it might seem like a modest amount when you consider the skyrocketing costs of healthcare in this country, but it’s certainly better than dragging yourself through a grueling legal battle only to end up with nothing in the end. In the meantime, you should probably start looking into how you want to navigate your future based on your current physical capacity... perhaps a massage therapy certification, or maybe something in property rentals or another field that doesn't place undue strain on your vision or your spine. When life hands you lemons, you just have to make lemonade, I suppose... Don't let this get you down; just stay informed.

William Sanders6 said:I’ll be brutally honest with you.
What does your current living situation actually look like? I assume you’re still living with your parents and they’re mostly supporting you. That can’t go on forever, though; eventually, you’re going to be left to fend for yourself... sorry if that sounds a bit morbid.
Looking further down the road, you should also keep in mind that here in the States, we really can't count on Social Security providing much in our old age. Relying on it is practically impossible, so even those $767 aren't exactly guaranteed..

If you take that benefit now and spend a few years learning a skill that makes you employable, could you eventually regain your status as an able-bodied worker? Maybe check that out on the Law subforum, or consult with someone who knows the ropes.
The situation doesn't have to be black and white. Making a choice like this might not be a life sentence; it could just be a temporary measure until you get your footing.

Thirdly, how much does your vision loss actually impact your ability to work?
Did you bold your post because your eyesight isn't great, or was there some other reason? Even with that kind of struggle, there might still be jobs out there for you.
I’m thinking of things like customer support, sales, and so on—the list goes on. For instance, I know about freelance gigs in translation or subtitling movies. There are plenty of freelance sites with a huge variety of options. There is a massive range of things you could do to earn a living or specialize in; they just aren't the "classic" jobs that immediately come to mind. You have to find them through research and a little bit of luck.

I realize all of this is pretty demotivating, especially since you've found yourself in such a rough spot at such a young age, but hang in there. Eventually, a good combination of circumstances will probably surface. I hope you get some more ideas and suggestions here.

Yeah, I'm living with my parents right now.
As for the vision loss, I've lost sight on the right side of both eyes; I can see maybe a little more than half the picture...
Whatever, I'll just have to deal with it and figure it out.
Thanks. 🙂

William Chavez5 said:Greetings. I was actually thinking about posting something quite similar to what William Sanders6 suggested... essentially, you really ought to seek out perspectives from every possible angle—consult with attorneys, talk to medical professionals and social workers, reach out to organizations like the American Foundation for the Blind, check in with your insurance provider, and various other agencies. Take at least a full week to go through all those channels before you make any final decisions.
Personally, I would lean toward accepting that offer, simply because it provides a certain level of lifelong security regarding your basic needs... it ensures you won't be left struggling just to eat, while still allowing you to pursue further education or focus on private ventures that they can't interfere with. Of course, it might seem like a modest amount when you consider the skyrocketing costs of healthcare in this country, but it’s certainly better than dragging yourself through a grueling legal battle only to end up with nothing in the end. In the meantime, you should probably start looking into how you want to navigate your future based on your current physical capacity... perhaps a massage therapy certification, or maybe something in property rentals or another field that doesn't place undue strain on your vision or your spine. When life hands you lemons, you just have to make lemonade, I suppose... Don't let this get you down; just stay informed.

Thanks.
That's the plan. 🙂

bump

How much vision do you actually have left in that other eye? And realistically, could you pick up a skill like coding and pull off some remote work?

bluebadger21 said:Hey everyone.
I need some advice, and please, let's keep it smart.
I’m 22 years old. When I was 16, I was in a massive car accident that left me blind on my right side and caused a serious spinal injury—specifically a fracture in my third vertebra. Because of this, nobody wants to hire me. I’ve reached out to plenty of people and companies, but I just keep getting passed over...
Here’s the situation: I have the option to take a disability settlement, basically a lifelong monthly payment, but the amount is tiny—only about $767 per month. And there's a catch: it comes with zero benefits. No right to part-time work, no accommodations, nothing.
So, I’m looking for some perspective. Do I take the deal? Or do I keep fighting in court, knowing it could drag on for years with endless medical evaluations and legal battles? If I take the settlement, I can't see myself surviving on $767 a month. It’s absolute garbage...
What would you do if you were in my shoes?
Thanks to anyone who sticks with me until the end. :=)

What is your field of expertise?

There are plenty of jobs available online or working from home. Programming, online tutoring, digital marketing, e-commerce, remote task management, web design, or graphic design. These fields pay well.

As other members have mentioned, utilize every single benefit and accommodation you are entitled to based on your disability status.

Mental fortitude is the most important factor. Persistence is key. 👍

I wish you the best of luck. 🙂

quietpilot87 said:How much vision do you actually have left in that other eye? And realistically, could you pick up a skill like coding and pull off some remote work?

My vision is fine in both eyes—crystal clear. The issue is a nerve problem in my head that creates a blind spot on my right side.

I'll give it a shot, but I'm a carpenter by trade. Coding isn't exactly my bread and butter...

James Miller2 said:What is your field of expertise?

There are plenty of jobs available online or working from home. Programming, online tutoring, digital marketing, e-commerce, remote task management, web design, or graphic design. These fields pay well.

As other members have mentioned, utilize every single benefit and accommodation you are entitled to based on your disability status.

Mental fortitude is the most important factor. Persistence is key. 👍

I wish you the best of luck. 🙂

Thanks a lot. 🙂

I've heard that those online tutoring gigs don't pay all that much. My trade is carpentry, but I don't do that anymore. I didn't go to a tech school either, so programming isn't really my lane.

Thanks again. 😉

bluebadger21 said:Thanks a lot. 🙂

I've heard that those online tutoring gigs don't pay all that much. My trade is carpentry, but I don't do that anymore. I didn't go to a tech school either, so programming isn't really my lane.

Thanks again. 😉

It seems to me that carpenters are in high demand right now. It is a deficit profession.
But if you can't work in your field due to your own shortcomings, you can adapt to the market. 😉

There exist various retraining programs. You can also learn a lot on your own at home.
(for example, programming, Excel, learning foreign languages, solving problems, culinary arts, IT technology)

Or if you are truly interested in carpentry, you can improve your skills via the internet (pick up new tricks or trends).
Start by making something for yourself at home (like a wardrobe). Then offer your services to relatives. If you do a good job, people will start recommending you. A good craftsman earns a reputation quickly. Eventually, people will start calling you directly. 😁
If electronics interests you, you could start repairing appliances for people (ovens, light fixtures, etc.). There are ways.
You simply have to decide what interests you.

There is plenty of content on YouTube and Google. If you know English, it is even better. 👍

bluebadger21 said:bump

What exactly does "bump" signify?

Honestly, if I were you, I’d just take the severance pay, enroll in a coding bootcamp, and call it a day because you'll actually be able to find work once you're trained. Right now, there are at least thirty job postings out there with starting salaries hovering around $75,000 or $80,000, so I guess you should probably weigh that against whether it's even worth staying in carpentry.

Peter Doyle4 said:Honestly, if I were you, I’d just take the severance pay, enroll in a coding bootcamp, and call it a day because you'll actually be able to find work once you're trained. Right now, there are at least thirty job postings out there with starting salaries hovering around $75,000 or $80,000, so I guess you should probably weigh that against whether it's even worth staying in carpentry.

Spot on.
I’m going to get some more training under my belt just so I have another degree to show for it.

James Miller2 said:It seems to me that carpenters are in high demand right now. It is a deficit profession.
But if you can't work in your field due to your own shortcomings, you can adapt to the market. 😉

There exist various retraining programs. You can also learn a lot on your own at home.
(for example, programming, Excel, learning foreign languages, solving problems, culinary arts, IT technology)

Or if you are truly interested in carpentry, you can improve your skills via the internet (pick up new tricks or trends).
Start by making something for yourself at home (like a wardrobe). Then offer your services to relatives. If you do a good job, people will start recommending you. A good craftsman earns a reputation quickly. Eventually, people will start calling you directly. 😁
If electronics interests you, you could start repairing appliances for people (ovens, light fixtures, etc.). There are ways.
You simply have to decide what interests you.

There is plenty of content on YouTube and Google. If you know English, it is even better. 👍

😉 Solid advice...🙂