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Epilepsy and employment
Mon, 07/31/2006 - 19:30I had my first major seizure just five days after being terminated from a really bad job in November 2005. Needless to say, I have not been employed since then. At this point my epilepsy is not under control despite being on Lamictal and Keppra. I have only been on the Keppra for about 10 days. Yet I am concerned about being employable in the future. I keep reading about and hearing that people with epilepsy can lead "normal" lives. I guess that depends on what the definition of normal is. In the interim I am trying to figure out what I am going to do for money. I have even hinted at one doctor's office that by the time my next appointment came around, I would be living in my car. These doctors just don't seem to get it. I do not have unlimited funds. Where is the reality in all this?
Comments
Re: Epilepsy and employment
Submitted by George R on Wed, 2006-08-02 - 13:32
George - NYC -- The longer you have epilepsy, the more you'll see that doctors are not there basically to keep us working. Their main task is to keep record of how we're doing on what they're prescribing, trying out newer drugs on us, and expecting very explicit feedback from us regarding effectiveness of the directions they're leading us in. I too take Keppra (and Depakote ER, along with Clorazepate), and have gotten myself down to one fairly mild seizure a month, usually if I haven't eaten, or if I'm overly tired. Just having epilepsy places many challenges in front of us, employment being one of them. No company is "forced" to hire us. It does depend on our abilities, devotion to the job, and overall attitude. All too many people with physical disabilities (and we're two of them) feel that all social and business doors should be "swung open" just because of their physical problems. Unfortunately, this isn't realistic thinking. Try the drugs you're on for several months. If you have financial problems, seek state or national help. Or contact your closest office of the Epilepsy Foundation for references. Believe me, I know what you're going through. And a smile on our face gets us much further than complaints. Best of luck!
Re: Re: Epilepsy and employment
Submitted by Amara on Fri, 2006-08-04 - 12:33
George, to a certain extent I agree. But I take exception to the implication that it's an attitude thing and that perhaps we expect doors to be swung open - it's a different situation for everyone, everyone's seizures are different, everyones drugs are different, everyone's talents, abilities, and attitude is different. But I am very employable and I haven't found a job, and that's *without* telling potential employers about my seizures. Even if I told them, which I won't, I certainly don't expect anyone "TO" hire me, just because I have E - I don't consider it a disability, not for me. It's just my business. My feeling is, if they only happen in my sleep, what business is it of theirs?
As for overall attitude, I need to find a job. And a place to live. And the stress of not being able to pay for my meds is one more stress I don't need. COBRA coverage would be $400 a month for me, so it's cheaper just to buy the drugs (as long as I don't go back to the ER). And because I'm young and educated and still live with my parents and all that stuff, I don't qualify for assistance. Forgive me if all that stress hasn't got me walking around with a smile on my face.
Again ... I agree attitude is important. But I just feel that because people vent here doesn't mean they have a bad overall attitude about work and epilepsy in general.
Re: Re: Epilepsy and employment
Submitted by coopernicus on Fri, 2006-09-01 - 20:48
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! So often I feel like saying that I have memory trouble and just need to write something down. People don't like to wait, though. And... I can never remember where my pen is ;) I am not a very talkative person, but lately I am very hesitant to start saying anything because there is a really good chance that I will start fumbling for a word and end up unable to make any point at all. I feel like a moron when it comes to speaking. On really bad days, when people are talking to me, I hit a point where I no longer know what they are saying. Probably because I can't remember the beginning of their sentences! At the end of a meeting, a colleague recently said to me, "Wow. You look like your eyes are rolling around in your head. We better stop now". I find it ironic that I am a waldorf teacher (we memorize stories, verses, songs, etc... for everything) I hope I don't lose my job. I haven't told my employer, but am starting to have more partials during the day and have lots of head aches. I pray that they don't get worse.