| Imagine yourself as the only means of financially | | | | other link-minded websites is key, writing articles for |
| supporting you. A little scary isn't it? In today's | | | | their newsletters and obtaining linkage to each others |
| economy, it is difficult living on a single income. This is | | | | sites for added exposure is essential. Blogging - the |
| especially true for individuals living in Howard County, | | | | creation of an on-line personal diary - is fast becoming |
| although what a great place to call home. People will | | | | a way of creating additional exposure. The good news |
| gladly exchange dollars, for the exceptional quality of | | | | is much of this, aside from the development of your |
| life, provided by a county, tucked away in the middle of | | | | website, is that it can all be done for free; the only cost |
| the beautiful State of Maryland. | | | | is the use of your time. You must be willing to commit |
| Now imagine, still you are the only one financially | | | | the time in order to secure new business, while never |
| supporting yourself, but suddenly you are faced with a | | | | having to leave your home office. |
| disabling medical condition, which ultimately is the | | | | Typically, when someone is initially faced with a |
| demise of your ability to work outside of the home, | | | | disability, streams of income become scarce. One is |
| providing your only source of income. | | | | forced to rely on savings, borrowing, or potentially |
| What are you going to do to support yourself? And | | | | collecting disability benefits. However, if none of these |
| what does this all mean as you begin to question your | | | | are options, there are avenues to turn to in order to |
| life? Do you move back in with your mother? Do you | | | | jumpstart your business and financially support your |
| crawl under a rock or bury your head in the sand? Or | | | | endeavors. |
| do you spend the next several months crying, hoping it | | | | Terese Reamer, Employment Specialist for the Division |
| will all get better on its own? | | | | of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), a state agency |
| As a rational human being, you realize none of these | | | | comments "DORS is available to assist people with |
| are realistic options. So the question goes back to, | | | | disabilities in becoming self-sufficient and independent. |
| how are you going to support yourself? | | | | We provide services such as Career Decision Making, |
| While you are still of this earth, you must continue to | | | | Vocational Training and Medical Rehabilitation. For |
| market yourself to fulfill your desires no matter the | | | | those who wish to be self-employed, we provide |
| situation. How do you market yourself to find the best | | | | guidance in writing business plans and in some cases |
| medical care when faced with illness? How do you | | | | will grant funds for start up costs for small business |
| market yourself to seek Mr./Ms. Right? Or, most | | | | ventures. DORS has had a positive economic impact |
| importantly, how do you market yourself to provide an | | | | in Maryland because it helps support people by getting |
| adequate income? | | | | them back to work." |
| I am a person who lives with a disability. I also realize I | | | | In conjunction with DORS, the Rise Project helps |
| must continue work in order to support myself. And | | | | individuals reach independence through |
| beyond that I still want to work because I feel I have | | | | self-employment. Morris Tranen, President and CEO of |
| something to contribute to society. | | | | Rise states "We strive to remove some of the |
| Over the years I have discovered creative ways of | | | | obstacles that challenge agencies and individuals with |
| marketing myself and obtaining exposure to a large | | | | disabilities as they pursue self employment. We |
| number of people without ever leaving my home | | | | provide training for counselors and training for |
| office. With the invent of the Internet countless doors | | | | individuals with disabilities so they understand |
| have been opened to those who are not able to | | | | self-employment. We assist in developing viable |
| otherwise attend networking meetings or pound the | | | | business plans and business expertise and consultation |
| pavement in search of new clientele. One sure fire | | | | to both the counselor and the consumer throughout |
| way of establishing credibility is to create a website | | | | the process of planning, opening and operating a small |
| and utilize search engine optimization. Networking with | | | | business. |