Pursuing A Career Regardless Of Disability

Mike Bradley is an employee at the Halfaker & Associates

, a security consulting firm based in Washington. But years ago he wanted to become an emergency medical technician.

His brother-in-law, a medic, told him that by joining the Army he can become one. Unfortunately, his career in the military was cut short when and improvised bomb in Iraq caused him a traumatic brain injury.

His career counselor at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center helped him with his resume. Without a college degree, it was his training in the military that served as his weapon to enter a different industry. He got lucky when he came across Ryan Kules, Wounded Warrior Project Warriors to Work program case manager.

After several weeks, Bradley received a phone call from his friend whom he met at the medical center when he was recovering. The position of the job required him to work a seven-day shift, followed by seven days off.

He was a bit skeptical to accept it because of his former injury which led him to have memory losses at times. But then he took it. Currently, hes the supervisor of Halfaker & Associates.

"I was lucky enough to find an employer who understood the importance of educating themselves on PTSD and TBI," says Bradley. "It has really helped me succeed in my job and succeed in the workplace, because there's an understanding there, where my employer understands me and understands the issues that I have to deal with on a daily basis. It's taken a lot of stress off of me."

Pursuing ones career as a disabled employee

An employee can still work, even if he is disabled. A person is considered disabled if he or she is unable to perform the duties or responsibilities in his job. And sometimes, if there is no reasonable accommodation or the job doesnt fit his capabilities, his disability can be a hindrance to his work.

For example, a surgeon cannot operate his patient because of the damage to his nervous system. His hands are not stable enough to perform a surgery. But he can switch to teaching instead. Thus he can still be paid well.

When it comes to partial disability, it means he can perform half of his duties or responsibilities that come with his job.

Disability policies have waiting or elimination periods before the actual payment happen. It may either be one month, three months, six months, one year or two years. But the longer the waiting period the less the premium cost is.

The benefit period also varies. He can be paid either for two or five years, at age 65 or lifetime. The longer it is, the higher the cost of the policy.

by: Remedios V. Lucio

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