When it rains, it pours...

I was so happy that I got my nice little job at the library, that I was completely freaked out about the phone call I received the night of my last post. The head of the history department of one of the local community colleges wants me to teach a couple of classes this upcoming semester. I had applied to teach there last semester but I had received a "thanks, but no thanks" letter from them. So this phone call came completely out of the blue.

At the time, I figured I would teach one class and work less hours at the library. There was no way I was going to give up my library gig since the people there are great and the hours are short. I wasn't going to give up an opportunity to teach either. I figured this would work out ok and not really screw up my disability 'cause adjuncts get paid %$@#. Hehe. Well, not at this college. I hope my jaw drop wasn't too obvious when the guy told me the rate of pay. It was double that of my last teaching gig. This is a big problem because if I worked both jobs like I planned, I would lose my disability.

After much thinking, crying, and enduring panic attacks, I made a decision. Because the government really wants to help disabled people get back to work, they have a safety net in plan. If I do go back to work and stop receiving my benefits I have a five year period where I can be reinstated if my disability stops me from working at any time during that period. So, I'm going back to work. I'm going to be teaching two classes and work at the library. It isn't much money overall, but it is more than my disability benefits and this will give me a chance to try to get back into the "real world." To say I'm scared is an understatement, but I feel like I have to try.

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