Degenerative Disc Disease

I was just told I have the same thing DDD. They told me I am to young for surgery. Icant be on my feet for a long time. If I am I get a pain in my lower middle back & if I don't sit down & take a break the pain goes into my hip & then down the front of my leg. It gets painful. I was told not to go back to my type of job. Im on my feet 9-12 hrs a day, on concrete. They want to put me on disability & then they will send me back to school to learn a job that I wont be on my feet a lot. Iam lost, not sure what to do. Cant believe I will make that much on disability. This is all new to me. I am 45 ive worked all my life & always on the go.This is going to put a damper on things I want to do.