United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Did anyone else have to leave there job, to take care of there child who was born with BPI? I left my job, so I could take care of my kids and am now having hard time finding a new one, my husband thinks its all my fault that we are falling behind on our bills, because I did not go back to work right away after our child started to recover from his surgery over a year ago. I have been depressed and afraid of loseing our home and not being able to take care of my children. Confused and starting to feel like this is all my fault.

Sorry, I know how you feel. I did not go back to work either with going to therapy twice a week and Thomas was not a happpy baby. I did go back to work when he was about 2 1/2. I know how hard it is to make ends meet. Just hang in thier and know we are thinking of you. You are the only one who knows your child and trust me its hard but Thomas is turning five in May and he has amazed me every day.
Take care any time you need to chat let me know.

I FEEL YOU ALSO. HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE GAP IN EMPLOYMENT! I APPLAUDE ALL WORKING BPI MOMS!!!! GOOD LUCK

I do not want to make assumptions, but I am guessing that you are writing superifically -- not sharing all the details. I am wondering if you know that a marriage should be free from threats against you and your children. My sense is that you should seek help in your marriage and prehaps that same person to mediate your decisions for your children.

My husband lost his job over my son's BPI !!! My son was injured by my husbands employer at the time. While he stayed home to play Mr. Mom he writes on his resume.....stayed home to take care of Child with SPECIAL NEEDS !!! Gayle

I'm so glad that I made the decision to stay home with Joshua before he was injured. I can only imagine what it is like to be forced into that decision by this injury.

As for "how do I explain the gap in employment"... I will put these years on my resume! I am doing the most important job possible, and I wouldn't want to work for anyone who didn't "get" that.

Kate

I was in school full time to be a certified medical assistant when I got pregnant with Jody. He will be two in May and I have never worked as one. I am currently applying and interviewing and I include a detailed description as to why I haven't worked in about 3 years. Fortunately, my husband and I don't have any big debts like mortgage or car payments, so my time at home has not been financially stressful. I feel as though any employer who can't understand or sympathize with my decision to stay at home isn't an employer I would want anyway.

MArlyn

Marlyn,
That is exactly how I feel too. If they cannot understand then I do not need them. Gayle

My experience with my son's surgeries(13 of 'em before age 18, NON-BPI) is that children heal and have better outcomes when Moms and/or Dads, are there to do as much "hands on" stuff as possible. I saw the difference with other children who roomed in with us each time.I know my son Scott would not be the man he is today if I did not make the sacrifices that I did.
Then when he was able to speak up & advocate for himself it made me a better & free-er Mom and employee also when I was able to get back in the work force.
Hugs,
Carolyn J

In the first six months of my job search, I explained my job hiatus with "providing urgent family care" and I got nowhere. Then I revised my resume with simply: "glad to discuss interruptions in employment during in an interview with XXX company" and I got many, many more calls. I have found that it is much easier to evaluate the value system of a company in an interview, rather than to let them mysteriously ignore one's resume because you admit to care that they do not understand.

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