Can I Take Disabled Adult Child With Me On Job?

I have a disabled adult child born with genetic defect that requires full time supervision and care. (4XY Syndrome). He can walk fine, cannot speak, but has IQ of a 6 to 8 year old child. Due to his lapsing into hallucinatory episodes on a regular basis, no health care agency will provide care for him unless he is drugged at all times to achieve regular care. I cannot do this to him as he is fully aware of his family and drugging him to make it easier to care for him destroys whatever life he can have. His hallucinatory episodes are not dangerous, he just withdraws and requires more attention. This has forced me to stay home to take care of him which has severely restricted my job opportunities.

I am wondering if I could train as a trucker and possibly be able to take him with me so that I can earn while watching him at the same time?

Any thoughts?

Mr. M...Although the greatest respect and prayers go out to you, I honestly and sincerely do not see how that's going to be possible. Leaning how to drive a tractor trailer is an intensive, unforgiving process requiring 100% focus, attention and concentration. It can be your only priority and really cannot be compromised by anything else. The learning curve is very steep during first 6-9 months. With that said, I also cannot see how you could have your child accompany/shadow you during schooling and the weeks/months of subsequent road-training.

With that said,...if it's possible to delay your son accompanying you for the first 3 months of OTR , it might be workable. At least at that point you have developed some basic skills and a higher confidence level.

Maybe others can chime in and offer something contrary to my thoughts on this. Really sorry and I hope I am completely wrong. Best of luck.

You might want to give these a read...it will provide additional details and perspective for you. Links are below:

Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving

Truck Driver's Career Guide

Like G said, taking him with you during training portion would not be practical. If arrangements could be made for his care, maybe another family member, during this period and possibly a short time after being on your own to become comfortable without added stress it is certainly feasible (IMO) down the road a bit. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the passenger policies of any company you look into. Some may have a period of time you must wait before bringing him aboard. Best of luck.

most companies have a rider policy .. but you might have a problem with a adult child with disability .. alot of places are dangerous steel mills and the like - Even climbing in and out of the truck can be dangerous . I don't want to rain on you about bringing the adult child with you but i would ask any trucking company recruitor if this is possible ... Some may say no simply for the liability issues .. Again best thing to do is to contact a couple companies out of curiosity and ask as part of the questions you should ask about any company in reguards to pay and hometime etc ...

I Truely wish you luck.