Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
a qsn about employment
Thu, 01/20/2005 - 09:19Hi Everyone,
I've only been here since Nov. '04 when my infant son was diagnosed with epilepsy. I went through a grieving process where I really had to "let go" of so many of my assuptions and expectations for his life.
One of the things that I thought would be ok for him was employment. I was being hopeful that he could become an engineer (software, civil, or mechanical) like his dad or an architect or even a statistician (like me). But I've seen a couple of posts recently where people have mentioned living with epilepsy for decades and suffering with not being employable.
I know this might be a dumb question, so forgive my ignorance if you can. I'm just starting out on this journey and I'm trying to understand what my son will be facing.
qsn: what is the issue about employability? Is it discrimination that keeps a person from working or is the epilepsy disabiling in some instances?
When I check the SS website, it said that if the epilepsy isn't controlled within certain parameters by medications, then the seizure disorder is considered a disability and my son would qualify for benefits. Did I misinterpret this guideline?
Any information you could offer would be so appreciated.
Thank you.
Comments
RE: RE: a qsn about employment
Submitted by mollybright on Sun, 2005-01-02 - 16:57
Hi Cassandra,
I appreciated your thoughtful reply to the mother who was concerned about her infant son. You mentioned that you have some of the memory problems that I described my 13 year old daughter as having. Do you have any strategies that have helped you compensate for these problems that I could pass on to my daughter?
Thank you!
Molly Bright
Hi Cassandra,
I appreciated your thoughtful reply to the mother who was concerned about her infant son. You mentioned that you have some of the memory problems that I described my 13 year old daughter as having. Do you have any strategies that have helped you compensate for these problems that I could pass on to my daughter?
Thank you!
Molly Bright
RE: RE: RE: a qsn about employment
Submitted by jackieoh on Sun, 2005-01-02 - 19:27
Hi! Both my sister and husband have epilepsy and are both successful functioning adults. Both had supportive families. My sister has been seen by the best doctors in the country and is now married and working full time. During her childhood many doctors told our family to make sure she would be provided for throughout life. My family did not accept that and went to hundreds of doctors until they found the one that helped her best.
As for my husband, I sent him to the doctor that my sister went to and he is now a classroom teacher in a school for children diagnosed with autism. He underwent surgery in September '04 and has been doing very well since (knock on wood). His memory was very effected by seizures/medication but with support to build his self-confidence and a whole lot of activities (I do excercises with him to help his memory and for the longest time he had no idea that I was doing anything other than talking to him). What we would do is name all the things you can think of that start with the letter M, N, O, etc. Name all the things that have to do with Baseball, etc. What are all the states, capitals, continents, etc. We did this in a fun way and for about a year he just thought I was doing it for fun (I learned a lot of things I did not know). I have friends that are speech therapists and they gave me activities for people with traumatic brain injury. Not only did these activities help his memory but they also built his self-confidence (he knew and remembered more then he thought he ever did). My husband is in school now completing his degree and every day he seems to be a little bit better.
His parents never allowed his epilepsy to be an excuse and I think he learned that early on and would not accept being treated any different then his peers. No, he didn't ride a bike or play football but there were not many things he did not or could not do.
There is no crystal ball to say where your child will be in a few years but make sure to be proactive and do not trust what one doctor has to say. I am a firm believer in leaving no stone unturned. I almost lost my husband on three seperate occassions because the doctors that were treating him told us this is what it is and there is nothing you can do about it. Well I believe there is nothing you can do if you do nothing to help yourself. It is not easy and it took us eight years to get to the point where I do not get upset if he does not answer the phone when I know he is home.
Good luck to you both.
Hi! Both my sister and husband have epilepsy and are both successful functioning adults. Both had supportive families. My sister has been seen by the best doctors in the country and is now married and working full time. During her childhood many doctors told our family to make sure she would be provided for throughout life. My family did not accept that and went to hundreds of doctors until they found the one that helped her best.
As for my husband, I sent him to the doctor that my sister went to and he is now a classroom teacher in a school for children diagnosed with autism. He underwent surgery in September '04 and has been doing very well since (knock on wood). His memory was very effected by seizures/medication but with support to build his self-confidence and a whole lot of activities (I do excercises with him to help his memory and for the longest time he had no idea that I was doing anything other than talking to him). What we would do is name all the things you can think of that start with the letter M, N, O, etc. Name all the things that have to do with Baseball, etc. What are all the states, capitals, continents, etc. We did this in a fun way and for about a year he just thought I was doing it for fun (I learned a lot of things I did not know). I have friends that are speech therapists and they gave me activities for people with traumatic brain injury. Not only did these activities help his memory but they also built his self-confidence (he knew and remembered more then he thought he ever did). My husband is in school now completing his degree and every day he seems to be a little bit better.
His parents never allowed his epilepsy to be an excuse and I think he learned that early on and would not accept being treated any different then his peers. No, he didn't ride a bike or play football but there were not many things he did not or could not do.
There is no crystal ball to say where your child will be in a few years but make sure to be proactive and do not trust what one doctor has to say. I am a firm believer in leaving no stone unturned. I almost lost my husband on three seperate occassions because the doctors that were treating him told us this is what it is and there is nothing you can do about it. Well I believe there is nothing you can do if you do nothing to help yourself. It is not easy and it took us eight years to get to the point where I do not get upset if he does not answer the phone when I know he is home.
Good luck to you both.
RE: a qsn about employment
Submitted by cstrain on Sun, 2005-01-02 - 15:11
hi
I am a 25 yr old woman with E as well. I've had it since i was 18 months old. Yes, i believe some people are severly disabled by epilepsy, though, i think in most cases it is because of lack of control.
in any case, i wish to stress to you that you need not worry for now about employiliibilty now for your infant son. Sure, i can understand how you may wonder and this may be part of your grieving process (that being the loss of a 'healthy' child). Yes, i can also understand that you fear he may not lead a normal life.
I believe it is all in how you look at epilepsy. My parents ALWAYS instilled in me the idea that i can do whatever i want even if i have epilepsy (of course, things like driving and taking baths by myself were another question).
It is a question of adaptibility for me. I work, but i cannot take a graveyard shift as my seizures are caused by lack of sleep. Nor can i be something like a cab/bus driver. I do have my license however. I am 5 months away from completing a bachelor of social work and will go on to get a master's degree. Yes i have memory problems, similiar to the girl in the above post. You learn to live with it. you adapt
But, please do not stress yourself right now. There are thousands, or perhaps more, of people who can work and do so. and have degrees, etc. look at albert einstein
wishing you well
cassandra
hi
I am a 25 yr old woman with E as well. I've had it since i was 18 months old. Yes, i believe some people are severly disabled by epilepsy, though, i think in most cases it is because of lack of control.
in any case, i wish to stress to you that you need not worry for now about employiliibilty now for your infant son. Sure, i can understand how you may wonder and this may be part of your grieving process (that being the loss of a 'healthy' child). Yes, i can also understand that you fear he may not lead a normal life.
I believe it is all in how you look at epilepsy. My parents ALWAYS instilled in me the idea that i can do whatever i want even if i have epilepsy (of course, things like driving and taking baths by myself were another question).
It is a question of adaptibility for me. I work, but i cannot take a graveyard shift as my seizures are caused by lack of sleep. Nor can i be something like a cab/bus driver. I do have my license however. I am 5 months away from completing a bachelor of social work and will go on to get a master's degree. Yes i have memory problems, similiar to the girl in the above post. You learn to live with it. you adapt
But, please do not stress yourself right now. There are thousands, or perhaps more, of people who can work and do so. and have degrees, etc. look at albert einstein
wishing you well
cassandra