THE INVISIBLE JOURNEY TO INDEPENDENCE 5

 

Fall’s almost here!  Feel it in the air?  Smell the leafy cinnamon in the air?  Tick-Tock goes my alarm thingy so let's gets moving!  Hopefully, by now everybody knows what names can be legally used for their business and have checked in with DB.  I promised, or at least said, we would do the ticket-to-work (TTW) for starting a small business, but I decided to wait another week or so to get into that.  I do want to encourage you to visit the Social Security Administration’s website and link to the TTW page.  You will learn that you can use your TTW to obtain help and support to start your own business.  YOU should discuss this thoroughly with your TTW Counselor.  Do NOT be discouraged if you are not ready today to start your own business using the TWW, but at least inform your Counselor of your intentions.  This is because the same rules apply as far as benefit income, Medicare, etc.  You want to be sure that if you are using or applying for the TTW, you are matched with an employer who knows your intentions to own your own business as well.

 

Ok, let me step back for two minutes to talk about my visible days with a mental illness and the TTW program.  It was an excellent program to aide me in re-entering the work force.  There are some confusions that I had to sort out on my own about reporting.  The first thing I had to sort out was that I needed the faith and self-initiative to decide to go another route than the choices presented me.  I still had a Counselor, but I opted for employment that for me was more SUITABLE and personally rewarding.  I believed in all the employment opportunities at that time, it was just not compatible with my goals.  So, do not rush into an opportunity that will not meet your long-term goals.  Now, funny how my first job was supposed to be another volunteer opportunity and I was offered a paid position.  It was hard and boy-o-boy tough!

 

The job was with kids.  I learned on day one that kids are brutally honest and they tend to sling words that are offensive left and right.  So, I was called “Bipolar” all day long.  At first I was insulted and offended and made about three or four trips to the restroom to cry.  Then a co-worker entered the restroom and asked what was wrong.  My response was, “the staff told the kids I was
Bipolar.”  The co-worker laughed and said, “Those kids tell us all we are Bipolar.  They don’t know what they’re talking about.  In their world, all adults are Bi-polar and the funniest thing is they call each other Bi-polar, too.  It’s the new thing.”   I think you get the point.  So, the kids were just being kids and I learned not to wear my feelings (secret) on my sleeve.  Gee whiz …  However, there are lessons to be learned even when we mean very well.  We must be careful who we share information with in the workplace.  Persons with Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart Trouble, pregnancy, divorce, etc. tend to do the same thing.  Now, if we turn that principle around, we likewise need to exercise caution and judgment about sharing personal health information with clients.  I love to show people how I am blessed and then if the opportunity presents itself, they NEED to know so the barriers, stigmas, and stereotypes are eradicated for us all and for those coming up behind us they have hope.

 

(tick-tock)  We also have to be absolutely sure to report income regularly to the Social Security Administration.  If you forget to report information, you stand to lose your monthly benefits, Medicare, and you may be denied reinstatement, etc.  So, whether business owners or TTW employee, make it a point to submit your monthly income/revenues to SSA “YOURSELF!”  Just in case you are caught in the web of reporting violations, you should know that you can appeal the interruption of benefits due to overpayment, apply for a one-time (emergency) benefit of up to $999.00 while you wait for your appeal application to be processed and decided on.  You can also re-apply for benefits if you should have another hospitalization for the same disability.  amen, Amen? AMEN!  So, as part of planning for your small business, research and review all this with the TTW Counselor and keep all relevant informational pamphlets, newsletters, etc. in a handy place with all your important business planning papers.

 

Now, I’m just thinking about having a back-up person to help for those days when darkness is thick.  What can he or she do during your absence that won’t neglect your client’s needs?  Perhaps he/she could catch up on stocking, filing, returning phone calls, scheduling appointments/meetings, or registering you for trade conferences.  (yippee ...NAMI-MD State Conference).  Surely, there might be errands to run, too.  The one thing we do not want to do; however, is hide under blankets and let our business get lost in darkness forever.

 

Walking with purpose requires a lot of meditation.  No matter how small a detail may be to others, you have permission to meditate on it and be sure you make the right choice.  I was thinking a short while ago about what type of fresh brand to launch my business.  All I could think of was to use an alarm clock as my brand with the words inside going around it:  “It’s time!  It’s time!”    Hmmm…. Whatcha think?  Me neither.  I went with visible doves for peace…love…

See ya soon,