In the last couple of years, I have seen many posts on LinkedIn made by people I do not know who are in dire circumstances due to long-term unemployment.

These folks have spent months or even years diligently applying to jobs for which they are well qualified, to no avail. Their applications go unacknowledged, they have interviews and then are ghosted, and in the end, nothing works for them.

I have seen such posts written by people who were living in their cars, who were facing homelessness, and who were facing food insecurity. Their employment backgrounds are white collar and blue collar. Mostly white collar. This is the world in which we live today.

There, but for the grace of God and my husband, go I.

My educational background is in biology and biochemistry, and I spent eight years working in science laboratories. I was fired from my last full-time lab job for ableist reasons (my hands, which are afflicted with mild cerebral palsy, could not restrain or manipulate live mice) right before the Great Recession hit the country. I began applying for jobs even before my position officially ended, thinking someone would hire me within a month. Or two. Or three. I had an interview soon enough, after which I was ghosted. This happened again. And again. And again.

A couple of months soon turned into a year, then two years, then three…I would have quickly become homeless if not for my husband’s income (and love).

I took several steps to try to remedy my situation. My husband and I moved to an area with more opportunities. I worked with four (yes, four) different job coaches. I took two biomanufacturing classes at a local community college to update my skills (and got an A in each). I expanded my job search to non-scientific positions for which I felt even somewhat qualified.

Eleven years passed between by firing and my starting my editing business. It feels good to be making money again, even if the income is sporadic.

I am writing all of this to tell all of you that you are not alone.

I’m pulling for you.