I am doing really well after treating for about 2.5 years. I have more energy and very few if any Lyme/babesia symptoms. Most of my symptoms both my llmd and I at this point think is from yeast and that is my treatment right now.
Like many of us, I have struggled financially during this. I have tried to think as I get better how I can go about bringing an income in.
I live by myself. During the 10 years total I was sick and 2.5 years of treatment I struggled with not having someone to talk to who understands what i was going through and also to learn to cook and eat as healthy as possible.
My idea would be to become a kind of support therapist and nutritionist for people with chronic illnesses. People would come to me or I go to them to just listen, offer support, and mainly teach them to shop, cook, and eat the best way to help their bodies regain health.
What do you all think of this idea? Is it something you might use if available to you?
The issues I see are me having the financial backing to go back to school to be able to do this type of thing and also since money is such an issue for people with chronic illness I dont know if people could afford this type of thing.
Just brainstorming ways to bring an income in and also would love to be able to help people.
Thanks
Posted by mom2kids (Member # 31972) on :
I think it would be worth looking into, you never know what may come of it.
Posted by momlyme (Member # 27775) on :
This sounds like a great idea.
I used to work for a non-profit organization in Massachusetts called the Kennedy-Donovan Center.
The department I worked in did what you are saying for adults with developmental disorders. We used to take them shopping (or go shopping for them) help them make meals, help with housework, give rides, help organize tasks, supervise hygiene like showering and toothbrushing if necessary. Needs were based on individuals.
I know its not the chronically ill but what you mentioned reminded me of it.
I think it would have to be funded elsewhere (non-profit) because chronically ill are struggling to pay doctors, supplements, and prescriptions as is!
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
money might be a problem for some but i know of at least one LL person who figured out how to sell herbs and tell ppl what they do and what they interact with etc
she seems to give a personal touch that the online places dont...
shes been doing it for awhile
Posted by Harmony (Member # 32424) on :
maybe you could start out by working in an LLMD clinic
if they would support you and your idea, you could meet patients there and have your card out on the table in the waiting room
also, you would make some immediate income, even if you did a slide-line job in the clinic that does not require back-to-school medical training
so glad to hear you are better and good luck!!
Posted by BleedGreen (Member # 33468) on :
I'm not sure if your financial situation would accommodate this, but I have two suggestions.
1. You may be able to get sufficient amounts of student loans and grants to cover education and your living expenses. Many loans will give you deferred payments if you arrange it with the lender while you're attending school and for a short time after (and I mean existing loans). It may do you good to contact a financial advisor or admissions liason at the school you plan to attend. A possibility would be to take something related to nutrition with a minor is psychology or sociology. You could even possibly make it work by working weekends and summers, or even just going to school part time (most loans do not require payment until a period after your education is completed even for part time).
2. You could, as mentioned above, attempt to secure employment with a medical office/clinic/hospital that would sponsor your education. This does exist, it is very common for nursing students and medical receptionists. It would take some research and some good old callig around. They usually will require you to sign a contract to work exclusively for them for a period of time, attain and maintain above a certain GPA, and/or to work for them while you are attending school in at least a part time capacity.
Congrats on nearing the end of your treatment and good luck in your endeavors!
Posted by n2themystic (Member # 27315) on :
Thanks for the replies. I appreciate all the suggestions.