In 2019, I was an unemployed autistic adult. The ideal job for me didn't exist. That job is freelance work. I can have my schedule, and own flow, take time off for overstimulation, etc. None of the things I would be able to do on a 9-5 job.
Pre-epidemic, I just had autism/mental health as a roadblock to employment.
I struggle to retain and follow verbal instructions when given all over the place and when there's a lot of info. I can only work slow days/hours. Back in 2017, I joined this job program that I thought would help me seek employment that fit my sensory limitations, with an inclusive employer, etc. Unfortunately, the program was for, an example, if you had to go on an indefinite leave. I wasn't autistic enough for the counselor I was given therefore she didn't believe I was autistic. This caused me to have disdain towards her. Autism is a spectrum for a reason. Just because someone isn't like your friend Billy Bob Joe doesn't mean they're not autistic. Maybe Billy didn't have a good support system while I did. I complimented her before she declared I'm not autistic. So if autistic people want to live normal lives, they're not autistic in her eyes? So she wanted me to insult her then? If a compliment means not autistic?
That ableist pos helped me get a job coach. This coach was terrible with communication with me but was so surprised I wasn't doing anything
I don't think the job coach understood disabled people. When she asked if I applied for a job, I told her the one place I thought about. She proceeded to ask what other places I applied to, she was so surprised that one job was all I could find. Job hunting is harder for a disabled person.
Also, the applicate process weeds out disabled folks. Do those stupid quizzes ring a bell? Those are to weed out neurodiverse people, especially autistic people. Does "Must be able to lift 60 lbs ring a bell?" That weeds out disabled people, if the job itself entails 0 lifting. You see that, you say "welp I can't apply to this job due to my bad back" or you have to take that stupid quiz, couldn't understand the questions and the message says you didn't pass, and you have to pass to be considered for an interview. Those are roadblocks in the application process alone that can make it difficult to apply for jobs. I don't think the coach knows this.
I was there because I needed help finding something. I left the program when I saw it wasn't for me and they don't help you seek employment, just get you ready for interviews.
My folks don't even have patience for me. How can I expect someone I don't know to be patient?
In 2020 I started developing a chronic illness. In 2020 I started having issues breathing and stuff. certain environments affect my flares like heat and strong fragrances which would be hard to avoid in a normal job. I get flares that can last up to 3 weeks. I have to take my meds more, which would require me to leave my post at work several times. I'd be gone for half an hour, maybe longer depending on the case. I have to have control of my surroundings eg a well air-conditioned place. Walking long distances leaves me winded, I need my inhaler after using the stairs, etc.
In 2021 I started having horrible stomach pain that would last for days or weeks at a time. I started the process of seeing a specialist in December of 2021 while my pain started in October. My gut issues intensified. I recall having issues when I got to high school, it wasn't as bad.
With my chest and ibs flares lasting up to 3 weeks, I'd be missing a lot of work. Recovery time is paramount for me. Something a normal job wouldn't give me. Now content creation, I can choose what I do based on my spoon levels/pain levels. If I'm not up for recording or streaming, I can edit. If I'm not up for that, type blog posts
IBS is more than just a shitting disorder. If you know of Chron's disease, IBS is like a fraternal twin to Chron's. Oh yes, that reminds me, they would fire me for having to use the can several times a day. Can't do call centers or cashier (or any position where it would be hard to leave) I also can't do call centers due to my auditory processing issues. When I get my meds at the pharmacy drive-thru, I can barely understand them due to the poor quality. If they talk into the mic the wrong way, it muffles their speech making it impossible to know what they're saying.
I'd work slower, need more breaks, and might have to come in late or leave early. I'd be unreliable. I struggle to understand verbal instructions, I struggle with auditory processing issues. People get annoyed having to repeat themselves.
Content creation or starting my gig/freelance work will provide more flexibility. That's why I started panicking when my blog earnings started dropping. Most of the money I made was from Steemit and Hive just added on to it or I collected Steemit one week and Hive the next etc. This work is the only work at my fingertips when I have time to recover from flares. If I don't know how to do something, I can look up a YouTube tutorial and rewind it if I can't keep up.
Or even the unexpected that costs me spoons like my grandma hurting her knee.
Last Sunday I had this awful stomach bug or flare that had me sick out of both ends. I easily took the day off and didn't post.
It wouldn't be that easy on a normal job. They'd eventually fire me for calling out so many times either during a flare or not having the spoons due to how needy my folks are.
Content creation provides me with what I need. It's hard to get started from the bottom as a small creator. YouTube added new guidelines to monetize back in 2017 and my channel lost monetization as a result. If YouTube never did that, all it took was a video doing better than I thought to help my channel. Folks underestimate how all it takes is one person sharing your video in a Facebook group they're in, a subreddit for it to take off.
Content creation is more accessible, it's meeting the requirements to monetize. One video took off and I met Facebook's monetization, I've had a few Tiktoks blow up and I'm nowhere close to monetization.
`The photo is from one of my cosplays. I will be done helping my grandma with the stupid heating system ( the reason I've been struggling for the past 2 years) I will get back into cosplay.