Howdy

Hello. Right now I am sort of at a crossroads. I am taking care of my Mother who has MS, leukemia and multiple other problems. I myself have been on disability for a few years now because of arthritis, back and neck problems from an illness when I was young. I've wanted to drive a truck since I was about 5 years old. We lived across from a Georgia Pacific and I loved watching the trucks being loaded and going in and out. I turned 16 on a Monday, got my driver's license on that Friday and the following Thursday I made my first solo road trip of about 260 miles one way to visit family and back the next day. When I turned 18, the age was raised to 21 to drive and by that time, other things came up with my family which put driving on hold. I delivered cars for car lots, drove uhauls thru multiple states hauling stuff for people and the urge to drive a truck has never went away.

My Mother now isn't doing very good and has lived more years than she was suppose to and I'm going to have to make a decision. Hopefully she will make it a few more years, but I like to research and have a plan in advance. I've read about the DOT physical, and I'm pretty sure I could pass it if I lose a little weight and increase my strength and flexibility so my arthritis doesn't affect me as much, I'll find out more when I go back to the doc this month but what I am wondering is how hard it will be to get a job since I've been unemployed over 10 years now? I can document how I've gotten by with my disability check so they won't think I'm a crook or something. haha

There's more to my story and I'll answer any questions, just trying to keep this post short. lol

 

Thank you Gears, glad to be here.

 

Howdy BornToRun.

 

Thanks Mrs T, I've been reeding the medical qualifications on the FMCSA and my BP, sugar, heart and other fit the qualifications at this time. The main reason for losing the weight, besides if the BMI goes in effect, is more for my personal well being to put less stress on my joints from the extra weight. My arthritis hasn't deformed me, so I don't think it will be much a problem for the physical. I see my doc later this month who does the physicals and I am going to talk to him about it.

I have plenty of time to work on my health goals. It may be a few years or it could be a few months. I'm just trying to be prepared. I'm more worried about not having an employment history for the last 10 years and what kind of effect that will have on me getting hired. I know the Dept of Rehabilitation Services will work with employers to help new employes get hired, but I know it could still be a problem in this profession.

 

Thanks CL, I just hope I can get in the industry before my health goes all to crap completely.