where to go next

[JessW]

Here's a stumper that has kept me awake for the last week or two.

Can anyone out there tell me what a secretary/pa/ea et al does when s/he can no longer type (but can do everything else besides)?  I ask this as I am in the process of looking for a new specialist in London to 'advise' on my RSI.  It is getting to the point where I either stop work, stop typing and/or 'have the operation' (nnnnnnnnoooooooooooo!).  This has naturally engendered the thought that I might need to consider upping my career agenda by one or two levels to accommodate the necessary changes.

Any suggestions?  Where do I go from here?

Jess (very much still in London as the Client in Cork is too much of a skinflint!)

[bethalize]

Can you use a computer at all? How much can you use your hands?

A customer-facing role might be a way to go. Or being an 'administrator'. It's difficult to say without knowing what quality of work you would be looking for. I'm thinking about roles that need a lot of people contact.

Bethalize
Peer Moderator

[juspeachy]

This sounds like a work related disability and your organization should accommodate you by providing voice recognition software.  That way you could just dictate to the computer what you would normally type.

Just my thoughts on the subject.

JusPeachy

[JessW]

Part of my job is as a divisional administrator but this involved about 48% typing, plus like a lot of people on DD I also do a few other roles (paralegal, legal secretary, nappy changer) which also includes medium to high levels of typing.

JusPeachy, As for the voice recognition software this would be lovely if a) I didn't work in such a noisy environment and b) bossie and budget holders were not such misers (will have to buy it myself).

I have had a thought about looking into the private household type of PA work but don't know how much typing realistically this type of role demands and, of course, how to get into it without having had previous direct experience at same.  Is there anyone out there who has/does this?

Thanks for the ideas.  I guess I will have to think long and hard while I wait in A&E tonight!.

Jess

[bethalize]

Jess, you're in the UK aren't you? Then your employer HAS to accomodate you - unless I am very much mistaken.

Bethalize
Peer Moderator

[sobriquetnic]

Hi Jess

I'm afraid that I'm am unable to offer any practical suggestions to help you out here but I just wanted to say that I am sorry that it has come to this stage for you and wanted to wish you all the best with your treatment for this.

Nicola.

[JessW]

Nicola

Thanks for your words of support - now all I need is some good support on my hands, a good bottle of wine, a soppy movie watched from an extra soft sofa with plenty of tissues and I am away!!

No, just kidding.  Am in work at least which cannot be a bad thing in this day and age.

Jess

[lella]

Hi Jess,

Don't know what type of operation you require, but I have just (February 04) had my carpal tunnels decompressed in BOTH hands at the same time!!! and I have to tell you that I have 99.9% improvement.  I had chronic pins & needles in both hands and my hands would constantly go numb when typing, on telephone, when holding my son, when driving, etc - every day.  I now have NONE of these symptoms and the operation was done under LOCAL aneasthetic.  I took painkillers exactly twice after the op and I had no lingering pain at all.  Obviously it was very painfull trying to use your hands but you learnt how to use your hands so as not to initiate the pain.  If there are other reasons why you don't want to have the op, OK, but please don't let fear of the unknown stop you from having a comfortable, pain/discomfort free existence.  Hope this helps.  Regards, Celeste