ANDREA EISENMAN
At a certain point, I was so sick that all I did was work, and sleep enough to go to work to keep my benefits...
Careers–Good and Bad Choices
Art for Art’s Sake–Summer 2003
BY ANDREA EISENMAN
I remember as a child getting lost in my drawing and coloring. I could sit for hours with paper and colored pens. I guess it was my escape from reality. As my mom says, I was destined to be in “the ahhhts” (the arts). I became pretty accomplished and went to an art high school. In high school I learned to paint with oils. That became my passion. From there, it was no great leap for me to apply to art programs at colleges.
Having been accepted at an art college about one hour from home, I started thinking I would be a fine artist, eventually majoring in painting. My father, having worked in the printing world and fraternizing with art directors, advised me to become a graphic designer. He reasoned that I would be able to support myself and get medical benefits as a designer. He felt I could continue to paint at my leisure. Then I realized painting with oils and turpentine was counter-productive to my health anyway. I took up silk-screening and soon knew that would be my undoing; working with xylol, acetone and toxic smelling inks. I became sick a lot and had to curtail all things fumey.
During the time I attended college, I was under my dad’s benefits that were to expire when I turned 22. I had no concept of how important medical benefits would be in my life and how, after graduation, I always would check on the benefits package before I agreed to accept a job.
At my dad’s urging, in my sophomore year, I started majoring in design. It was much easier on my lungs, aside from the rubber cement and thinner we used on our projects. His advice was golden, because from there, while my friends were scrambling for administrative assistant jobs in fields they had no interest in, I was able to freelance and then land a job in graphics after graduation.
My feeling was that graphic design was not going to be my creative outlet like painting was or drawing was eons ago. But as I moved up in the ranks and paid my dues, the creativity level rose with it. But I knew then how important medical benefits were because I was starting to go into the hospital more frequently for “tune-ups.”
When applying for jobs, I tried to veer toward corporate companies that I figured had many employees and would have good coverage. I didn’t think it wise for me to be in a small business that may have a better salary but not good medical coverage.
During my stint as a designer, I worked primarily in the publishing industry. The hours were human, unlike advertising, and the benefit package covered my medical needs completely. Fortunately, I started during the computer deskstop publishing revolution. I received on the job training for the layout and illustrative programs that I use to produce this newsletter.
At times I sacrificed great job opportunities to keep better coverage. And at a certain point, I was so sick that all I did was work, and sleep enough to go to work to keep my benefits: a vicious cycle. At that point I was doing poorly enough to get listed for a double lung transplant. Still working, I waited six years to get my new lungs. I had to go out on disability after four years but still was covered under my last company’s plan. I made sure to check that they would cover my transplant when and if it came.
Since my health had become a full-time job and still is even after the transplant, I have not since gone back to work. Instead I am glad to be able to do volunteer work.
I was very happy when I was asked to become a director of USACFA several years ago. At that time I volunteered to bring my design capabilities to produce CF Roundtable and eventually redesign all the pages. Designing the newsletter gives me a sense of accomplishment and has been a creative outlet. I am happy that my career choice allowed me to do something within the CF community. It involves me with other adults with CF and gives me a sense of being connected.
Also, I am grateful that I was able to have my transplant, get needed medications, see the doctors I needed to, and have a fulfilling creative career, albeit a short one by normal standards. I worked for 13 years before having to quit completely.
I wish I could say I planned all of this. But at the time I was too naïve and sure I never would reach 30 years of age. Knowing what I do now, I guess I would recommend planning your career in a thoughtful way. It can mean the difference between having a great long-lasting career with good benefits or one that goes nowhere.
Andrea is 38. She is a Director of USACFA and her email address is: aeisenman@usacfa.org