Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group

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Community Leadermujicaptsd
mujicaptsd

I'm tired but proud of myself for not giving up because things aren't perfect at my community college any more than they are on DS with its tech glitches these days.  If I can't get a better job so be it,  but I think my PTSD recovery is such that I might be able to go back up to the university level where I used to teach back in the 1990s. 


That was  before a PTSD crash put me in the hospital and I lost a university job with tenure back then and my marriage fell apart and I lost my house and went bankrupt.  You know the drill.  This time I'll be trying a come back using my experience as a hospital chaplain and community college since and the amount of PTSD recovery I've built up slowly over these past years here.  


Maybe not, it's humbling to start over with PTSD even 18 years later, but I'm giving it a shot, so I sent out job applications to universities this week. I'm 59 now, so I asked an old classmate for a letter of recommendation.  He's the most successful guy from my grad school class years ago, he's a university president now.  I figured rather than envy him, though, or be ashamed I'm just a community college instructor, I'd ask him for a recommendation instead.


He emailed back that he is on a plane to China (!) and can't do it right away, but he'll get to it on his return.  Ok by me!


arfie
arfie
If absolutely nothing else, it hits my radar as rather spectacular that you are attempting to reconnect with an old classmate. Being able to brave such a thing is pretty high on my personal wish list. Reconnecting with people from my past remains an impossible dream in my personal psychosis.

A brain fart which blew in while I read your post is of how you have talked about wanting to retire in a Spanish speaking country. I believe San Cristobal de las Casas was your last speculation down that road? ?Estas buscando <<ofertas de empleo>>? Just wondering. . .

Continued support, whichever way you take it.
Community LeaderLeo
Leo
Much support....
JeanCarlin
JeanCarlin
Best of luck, it takes courage to want to start over aand help yourself rather than give up, :-) Hugs
Muskoka007
Muskoka007
Look at how well you are doing by reaching out. That takes courage and strength...nothing more to be said
lilmissy7
lilmissy7
Sending much support your way Mujica. You are strong & kind (two very admirable qualities). I hope everything works out exactly as it's supposed to be in a very good way. I hope that made sense.
We're here for you
((((((Healing hugs)))))))
Community Leadermujicaptsd
mujicaptsd
Thanks. When he answered me from that flight to China he said his letter of recommendation might have to wait until the end of November and if that was too late to get someone else to do it. At first I was inclined to back off and say "ok, I'll get somebody else."

But then I said to myself, "hey, take him at his word." So I emailed the college that was to receive his letter, and asked for an extension. They fired back a "yes" immediately, which made me feel better than anything else has all year because I took it to mean they wanted a full look at my application materials.

arfie, I'm going to San Cristobal in a month again, yes, and I just bought my ticket to go there again Spring Break. I'm applying to other jobs so I can make it to retirement at all without going on disability. At my community college I teach 6 courses per semester, at a university I taught half of that, 3. Plus I made more money. So that's the plan.

I appreciate your supporting me in this. It may be folly, I know, but it's boosting my self esteem in the short term. And you never know, I might get lucky and it might pay off with an opportunity opening up for the long term. Already, as arfie said, it got me reconnected with this old friend of mine, right?
LillyPotter
LillyPotter
oh!!!!!!!!! this is the happiest of news :O) what a wonderful plan, Muji! i see it for you and it looks just right.

it makes sense that in his world, his 'normal' and what he will assume is a normal that you would recognize, the timing will make sense. i'm smiling so huge right now for you : ) rolling with it is just perfect response to this. your emailing them was just right. oh man oh man!!!!!!!

to the comfort of the less classes and an environment you will feel better in - be treated better in. xo
KneeDeep
KneeDeep
Good for you mujicaptsd! Your ideas/plans sound good and I wish you much good luck. It might not happen,but then again it just might! Reminds me of a saying Its not the destination its the journey.
jennyoo7
jennyoo7
Sounds like a cool second chance at doing something you're clearly passionate for. The university would be lucky to have you, keep at er.
Community Leadermujicaptsd
mujicaptsd
Thanks for the support, y'all. One of you sent me a question via private message that I'd like to open up to everybody here. It was, "if your old friend is now a university president, why not ask him for a job at his university?"

I thought of that, but it took a lot for me to just to ask him for a letter of recommendation. There are no jobs in my field listed as open on the Human Resources site at his university's website, but should I ask him for a job? If so, how?
jewells1
jewells1
Muji, in your letter of thank you to him for his written recommendation include something like this.
"Even though this opportunity is desirable I am open to other comparable options where my skills would be effective that you may be aware of"

I hope this helps.
jewells1
jewells1
It's common to promote from within, before open posting of jobs. So there may be openings expected but not posted as of yet. Why post for a job early? Most organizations will open applications to current employees just because of familiarity with work performance and skills. But they would also hire outside to fill a niche if they are aware of a candidate that is looking for a venue change.. So don't rule out an un-posted job.
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