The sign business is my lifesaver. I worked in the medical profession for 25 years till an eighteen year old hit my van from behind in Oct. 1998. My life changed completely. I went from working 60 hours a week, rock climbing, horseback riding, and white water rafting to being at home all the time. I only got out to go to church and the grocery store. My arms hurt so bad at times that every day was a challenge to face. I had surgery that required a spinal fussion involving 4 vertebra. After surgery I was left with no movement of my left arm and only a little in my right. For days I had to be feed because I could not lift either arm off the bed. I couldn't turn in bed or scratch my nose. Months of rehab. got my arms back to usable level. My right arm is 80% now and my left about 60%. After 9 months I knew I had to do something because I was dying on the inside. We took the plunge and my husband opened this sign business as a secong business (he works full time as a pharmacist). I do the designs, cutting and ect. while he does most of the installs. It has saved my life. What other job can you work out of your home and keep crazy hours. (Some nights I work all night because my pain is so great I can not sleep.) No I don't want sympathy or your hand outs. I do draw personal insurance payments but much against my Dr.'s advice I won't apply for SSI. I want this business to thrive so I can stop the insurance payments and support myself. As of now I still can't travel a long distance so I can't attend seminars but I have so much to learn. I buy as many books as I can and read all the time. My son made me a book holder so I can read all I want because my arms hurt as I hold the book or magazine. How do I make signs etc.? With a lot of determination, Ben-gay (my best friend), $400.00 a month in medication (no narcotics because I worry about addiction problems in chronic pain sufferers) and a heating pad. Maybe I am not the most professional sign maker but I have many repeat customers. I don't advertise because I stay usually 3 weeks behind. My advertising is my signs and my customers because I do go the extra mile. No job is too small because after all my time is all I have. Those jobs that no one wants to do? I do them but in my spare time. I hope I never have to face the days I use to. What can I do today besides sleep to make the time pass? I love to garden and mow the yard but that is by far too painfull. Don't think that working with the disabled or handicap is not worthwhile. Only one might really advance to a working level but that is one life that is made a little better. None of us knows what tomorrow has instore for us. Don't take today for granted or our health because it can change at a stop and be no fault of our own. That person that you might be helping because they are handicapped could be you. But be sure to thank God that it is not. It could be you longing for someone to GIVE you a little of their time, to brighten your day and who knows you might receive more than money can buy in return.
------------------ Where the possibilities are endless
Posted by Michael Boone (Member # 308) on :
Who says you are not the most professional sign person around....?I whole heartedly disagree with that statement... What more could your customers ask for in the dedication department? Your fortitude and love of your chosen craft well deserve an honorable mention and much more..... Congratulations.....on finding true rewards in life... You are indeed a credit to all of us....
Cynthia, I can "almost" relate to what you mean. Nothin close to your accident. I had just fractured my left wrist in April (i'm right handed so I was a little lucky) well its healing, but slowly. I am not going to complain. When I went into the hospital "I" felt i was in terrible pain which I was, but i stopped feeling the big pain when i saw a guy with one arm, i knew in time my wrist would heal but his would never. it's weird how a persons life can change in a split of a second. yeah i agree we sometimes take life for granted, but it can happen to anybody, there are no boundries. So like you say, say your prayers you just never know, one day we are here, the next were gone and won't be coming back. I wish you the best to a great recovery, and keep your self busy as you are. I know this might sound wrong to others, but i also couldn't take all them medications, made me to drowsy couldnt get things done, cotton mouth, you know what i mean. So thru a friend, found herbal alternative medication is much better then all those drug knock you out types, even though some do work for certain things. Keep up the great work and designing. whats the name of that song "There's no stopping us now"...Cisco
------------------ FranCisco Vargas aka: Cisco aka:Traveling Millennium Sign Artist http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935
"to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
hi cynthia...iam gona reprint your post a giv it to the guy who was asking me about teaching the diabled to make signs....i agree with you ..."if only one"...succeeds..then its was worth the time...iam a 25 yr AA/NA'er.....and in 1975 at the worst point in my life(i was scavinging cigarett butts from the hospital emergency room lobby)i wound up in rehab....and 10 months later(because someone cared)i was going to PENN STATE as an ART MAJOR and an assistant to the art professor, when he wasnt able to make classes i taught....so there is hope ... ill let ou know where this goes i may do it on a part time basis.....thank you..
------------------ joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 6050 mobile hwy pensacola, fl 32526 850-944-5060
Posted by Carl Wood (Member # 1223) on :
Cynthia - I love your attitude. I wish some of it would rub off on me. Myself, I just came off 6 weeks in the joint. No money to be made there. OK I admit it; everybody was asking where I went to. Penal Institution. Had to leave my 2 little Angel girls; 1 1/2 & 8 yrs. old. It was tough. So I can relate. Things will get better - they can always be worse - we have a lot to be thankful for - wonderful trade, loving family, hey, ain't that e'nuff? Lots of folks don't even have that. Myself just got connected to some of the casino sign business in my part of the country. Big opportunity here. Anybody know where I can buy a couple of approx. 15' x 85' banners to temporarily cover a casino monument sign while they change names? Banner needs to be white; will lay out on big driveway & paint it with bulletin 1-shot and a 'lil ol stubby broomstik. Should be fun, even with temps. of 95 degrtees +. Fortunately I do have a helper - ex-billboard painter; 30+ yrs. in the trade to guide me along. Sure I will learn a bunch on this $7,000.00 job. Wish me luck I could use it - - Carl
------------------ Carl Wood Olive Branch, Ms Sonicob@aol.com
Posted by Ken Henry (Member # 598) on :
Hi there Cynthia. I'm encouraged, as you should be, simply by the title of your post. Disabled, is much different than Handicapped, which seems to have a tone of acceptance and resignation to it. Your efforts toward therapy and recovery, coupled with your enthusiasm for this field of endeavour speak volumes of your courage and dedication.
I'm sure that you've discovered a place here, where a lot of good information and assistance is available to you, merely for the asking. So, you GO GIRL,GO! And don't be a "stranger". Lots of good folks are here and are more than willing to help.
------------------ Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail kjmlhenry@home.
Some days you get to be the dog....other days, you get to be the fire hydrant.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Cynthia, folks like you and attitudes like yours sparkle like morning dew on the roses.
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Posted by Mark Fair Signs (Member # 289) on :
Cynthia, i give you an A for effort. obviously you are a strong willed person to overcome such odds. the next time i get discouraged with the sign business i will think of your post here and consider myself fortunate. if anyone "makes" it in the sign business, you surely will.
"Mark Fair is a Proud Contributor to The Letterhead Site!"
Posted by Bob Burns (Member # 268) on :
Cynthia, I did my first paid job in this business in 1954 pinstriping a '51 Packard. I slowly worked my way into the SIGN business over the years, doing it all with paint and brush. About 10 years ago, I reluctantly eased my way into computers because I realized that that's where the future was in this business. Then, in 1996, they found a tumor in my brain the size of a goose-egg!! Surgery saved my bacon, but left me disabled....left-eye blind for 18 months...left side(especially arm and hand)about 60% useless. Loss of 100% hearing in my left ear, and 50% in my right.....lots of nerve damage, like erratic thought processing.....hard to swallow....no "balance".....and like that. And then, if that wasn't enough, my wife of 17 years bailed out on me and my two teen-agers last year!!!!If it wasn't for the computer and THIS business, I'd be way down the dumper, along with my kids. I can't do installations, or use a brush anymore, but I can do damn near anything with the computer! It's REALLY been a life-saver!!! So, Cynthia, if you and I can do it....ANYONE can! There's a place in this life for ALL OF US!!!
------------------ Bob Burns Bob Burns Signs LETTERCRAFT SIGN SYSTEMS www.lettercraft.com 1619 Oregon Ave. Prescott, Az 86305 1-877-778-5879
Posted by Daniel R. Perez (Member # 1585) on :
Although I didn't break any bones or lose any limbs, after a head-on collision at 60mph in VW, getting run over on my ten speed by a drunk driver, falling from a 30 ft. scaffold, falling off the back of a Ducati 900 cycle on my head, (the concussion left me blind for 3 days), these accidents triggered a disorder called Fibromyalgia. It's a debilitating pain disorder that produces all-over-body-pain-for-no-reason. It has 18 pressure points located on the front side as well as the back side of the body. Like Bob and Cynthia, I have been somewhat rescued by the computer. My only regret is that I didn't get it sooner. I'm still learning how to type and have a few graphic programs that keep me occupied, not to mention some very helpful friends who understand. Before I got the computer, it was impossible to get motivated because walldoggin' and sign making in general is very physical work. There are times when I get to help Cisco and I go because I'm not dead yet, although there were days of recouping from the pain that I'd earned. Cynthia and Bob, let us keep each other in prayer along with all the citizens of Letterville. Be good to yourselves, eat lots of fruit and veggies. Daniez Dzines:0)
------------------ There is nothing new under the sun. What will be has already been and has been will be again.
[This message has been edited by Daniez (edited June 27, 2000).]
Posted by Bob Burns (Member # 268) on :
......and don't forget that C-O-O-L-L-L-D-D BEER!!!!!!!!
------------------ Bob Burns Bob Burns Signs LETTERCRAFT SIGN SYSTEMS www.lettercraft.com 1619 Oregon Ave. Prescott, Az 86305 1-877-778-5879
