hey

[Kenny]

I'm not really sure what to say. I'm 30. I was discovered to have Dyspraxia (and ADHD) when I was 24. I struggle to find and keep work, so I have done many jobs but none for longer than a few months.

I went to university twice, wherE I made lots of friends and joined several societies, but neither time did I get a degee. Since university I have been mostly volunteering, and doing smaller qualifications with little to no paperwork involved, now I realise I struggle with reading.

So I'm left with lots of varuied qualifications and bits of work experience here and there. I was wondering if anyone had similar experiences and how they managed to find and keep work?

I have had advise and help from Job Brokers, Work and Educational Psychologists, Counsellors, Employment Advisers, my GP and Disability Employment Advisors. I am generally happy with my life, I have plenty of friends, and consider myslef well-loved, but I would like to able to earn enough money to get off benefits.

I just feel lost in a world where everyone reads, types and fills in bloody forms better than I so, so I feel I get looked over. Does anyone have anything positive and constructive to help me get along with?

Kenny, frustrated in Lancaster

[Kenny]

Make sure you talk to Learning Support early, the think i regret most about university is not getting help when I needed it, earlier than I did (which was near the end of my stay there)

Good luck at uni

[ajimmyadams]

This is my first post and i am dedicating this to the Introduction Forum as per the forum rules. Before introducing myself,i would just like to thank the Administrator of this forum for giving me opportunity to join this community.Now, let me take the opportunity to introduce myself.This is jimmy Adams.I'm positively looking forward to the forum and its members, hope all will guide, share and help me to increase my knowledge.

[Shadwell]

Welcome to the forum Kenny

[Kenny]

Thanks Shadwell

[Tim G]

Hi Kenny welcome to the forum.

Sounds like your dyslexic as well as you struggle with reading that is clearly somthing that is holding you back, i am dyslexic as well but can read but I do understand how much this can affect you.
Have you tryed contacting local organisations such as CAB, dyslexicia assosations about finding ways and oppertunities which could help you learn or read better.

I guess you do a lot of practial work and volentery work - have a look at this and see if this can be taken further and possablie into some kind of paid work.

What do you struggle with keeping a job down - are there speficic reasons?

Also for form filling etc try contacting your local advocasy - they can help you with filling out forms and paperwork etc.

[Kenny]

Hi Tim

Yes, I was told I may be dyslexic by a Educational Psychologist. It's not that I can't read, it's that I find it slow and frustrating.

In my last job I struggled to work hard or fast enough for my boss, and made mistakes in the other side of the job forgetting to lock doors so reducing security. In previous jobs I've been told I work hard, so I don't think it's necessarily that. I find I don't always understand instructions and find it hard to keep asking for clarification.

My current work placement (garden maintencance) is with a friend who is very patient. Not sure it will turn into a job anytime soon though. I enjoy the fact it's outdoors and practical, but find I get exhausted so much quicker than my boss. I guess I'll find it easier over time.

I'm not sure why I struggle to keep work, maybe I've just not found the right employer.

Just had a look for Lancaster based advocacy groups, can only see one aimed at people with "complex learning disbilities" which I don't think is me. Will Dyslexic associations understand dyspraxia and ADHD?

Kenny

[Clare]

Hi Kenny from another 30 year old!