| Ongoing health issues not only damage quality of life; | | | | you find yourself raving about particular products or |
| they can also wreak havoc on finances. Fortunately, if | | | | services, find out if the company will compensate you |
| your old ways of earning a living become impossible, | | | | for referrals. |
| you need not despair. You can take positive steps to | | | | 5. Get creative. Some of our greatest artists and |
| improve your cash flow: | | | | writers began their careers while bedridden or house |
| 1. Know your rights. If you suffered an on-the-job injury | | | | bound. The lawyer Henri Matisse only started painting |
| or car accident, you might qualify for Workman's | | | | during a long recovery from appendicitis. |
| Compensation or Disability Insurance. Contact your | | | | SurvivorsArtFoundation.org "is a 501(C)(3) non-profit |
| state's Workman's Compensation Department, and/or | | | | organization committed to empowering trauma |
| ask someone to review your insurance policy. | | | | survivors with effective expressive outlets via internet |
| Depending on the severity and duration of your | | | | art gallery, outreach programs, national exhibitions, |
| symptoms, you might also be eligible for Supplemental | | | | publications and development of employment skills." |
| Security Income (SSI). These options require significant | | | | They aim "to enable the survivor/artists to display and |
| paperwork and follow-thru, but they can sometimes | | | | market their works to give them recognition, hope and |
| keep you afloat when income plummets. (Keep in mind | | | | direction by implementing this innovative approach to |
| that SSI limits your ability to receive money from other | | | | healing." Kaleidoscope Magazine of United Disability |
| sources, so consult with an attorney or social worker | | | | Services publishes creative work by, for or about |
| before you apply for benefits. Even if you do meet the | | | | people with disabilities-including award winning content |
| criteria, people often need to submit multiple appeals | | | | by some of the best writers of our time. Latent |
| before they see any checks. If you expect permanent | | | | creative abilities often surface when traditional skills |
| disability and want SSI, it pays to get an early start and | | | | falter. Consider this time an opportunity to let your inner |
| remain persistent.) | | | | artist shine! |
| 2. Get proper treatment. When poor health keeps you | | | | 6. Focus on service. If you're struggling with these |
| from working, getting well makes good financial sense. | | | | health issues, others probably are, too. Brainstorm |
| If your symptoms mystify your doctors, you might | | | | ideas of how to help people in your situation. Many a |
| want to explore the possibility of often misdiagnosed | | | | business began when people simply brought into being |
| conditions like Lyme Disease, Fibromyalgia, Chronic | | | | what they sensed would help their own recovery. If |
| Fatigue Syndrome, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Post | | | | you have stumbled upon a "miracle cure," unusual |
| Traumatic Vision Syndrome, and traumatic brain injury | | | | technique, or special technology that helped you heal, |
| (TBI). Traditional medicine marginalizes neurological | | | | consider sharing your discoveries with others. Write |
| symptoms and chronic pain, but some experts | | | | articles and/or books; create a recovery blog with |
| specialize in these conditions. Do your research. Finding | | | | online sponsors; start a non-profit organization; raise |
| the right treatment provider(s) can start you on the | | | | awareness; learn, practice and eventually teach |
| path to physical and financial recovery. | | | | alternative healing techniques. If you don't feel like you |
| 3. Contact organizations designed to help you. For | | | | can work for someone else, then work from home. |
| example, if you experience visual problems, call your | | | | You can set your own hours and still make a major |
| state's Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired. They | | | | difference in this world. Inspiring others will enhance |
| can sometimes provide software or hardware to | | | | your own recovery! |
| enlarge computer screens, create auditory versions of | | | | 7. Find your purpose. People say, "Everything happens |
| the written word, offer job retraining or funding for | | | | for a reason" and we so want to believe that's true! |
| treatment options. Suffered trauma? Ask your hospital | | | | When life shuts out most opportunities, consider |
| about occupational therapy (O.T.) options. Investigate | | | | carefully the skills or talents that remain. Sometimes |
| local, state and national organizations that offer | | | | Destiny arrives in the form of disabilities that remove all |
| scholarships or grants for people with various | | | | other options. Do you have an unusual or hidden gift? |
| disabilities or backgrounds. | | | | A sense of calling or special mission? Life has a funny |
| 4. Become an affiliate. If you already recommend | | | | way of supporting our deepest longings and most |
| products or books to people you know, you can | | | | dramatic offerings. And the sooner we embrace our |
| become a ClickBank or Amazon affiliate. This need | | | | path, the easier that road becomes. "Impossible" |
| not involve posting online ads or giving a major sales | | | | synchronicities make regular appearances. Words, |
| pitch. It just means you can earn commissions for | | | | food and money arrive at just the proper time. Almost |
| products you already recommend. ClickBank sellers | | | | before we realize what's happening, Life returns-and |
| usually offer 50% or more commission, and Amazon | | | | with it, the abundance we so crave. |
| "Associates" earn up to 10% on qualifying purchases. If | | | | |