Ms. Backstrom herself suffers from fibromyalgia, so she understands the trials and struggles of living and trying to work with chronic pain. This book is full of advice, exercises, and practical knowledge to help those with disabilities find work they can do and the help that's available. With testimonials by others who've found a way to deal with their pain and still work, I'D RATHER BE WORKING is a must have for those who need to support themselves while dealing with illness or pain.

Ms. Backstrom takes you through the process of discovering marketable skills, dealing with government agencies, prejudice in the workplace, and laws governing employees with disabilities. If you are suffering from unfair treatment in the workplace, or find yourself unable to continue at your present job and need to discover new options, this is a book you won't want to miss. The book is loaded with resources, from education to job-training to self-tests to jump start the process of returning to work--for yourself or for someone else. As a sufferer of chronic pain, I found the book to be a great resource as well as a source of encouragement and hope.

~ Reviewer from Amazon.com

This guide for chronically ill and disabled people describes how to find and keep rewarding employment. The text begins with a section of questions designed to help the reader in setting realistic goals. Backstrom, who has fibromyalgia, also discusses the pros and cons of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The volume concludes with a section of interviews with 20 chronically ill or disabled workers about their work-related experiences.-Book News, Inc.(R), Portland, OR

Those living with chronic illness face many unique challenges, and among the most daunting can be the search for meaningful, well-paying employment and the challenge of providing for oneself.

This first-of-its-kind guide helps readers evaluate their own abilities and limitations, set financial goals, conduct effective job searches, and identify and utilize government and other resources. A refreshing, constructive look at professional and personal issues, this book is a use-it-now resource to put the reader on the road to financial stability and genuine accomplishment, featuring invaluable sections on:

* Setting goals to meet abilities and limitations * Self-assessment and career guidance * Training, vocational rehabilitation, and long distance learning -- and the potential earnings payoff * The Americans with Disabilities Act, recent Supreme Court decisions, and the latest developments in assistive technologies.

• I'd Rather Be Working: A Step-by-Step Guide to Financial Self-Support for People with Chronic Illness