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I just feel broken........

Wed, 12/08/2004 - 11:25
Topic: Living With Epilepsy - Adults
Everything feels broken my brain, and especially my spirit.  I have been off work since the end of August, not by choice, but because my employer told me to stay off untill the Dr. released me to drive. Well after seing her last monday, she still says no driving, but I can work ( which at this point is all I really want anyway). I called my boss and told him my driving was still restricted, but since I work for a big company he thought they could find something and would talk to his boss. So last Tue my boss calls me to say his boss doesn't want me back at all till I can drive, because it would would be too much hassle finding me a position, working w/ customers yada yada. So after 9 years of hard work my employer turned their back on me.  I called my Dr. in tears and said you have to release me to drive, my employer won;t let me work, I'm not going to be able to pay my bills, I'm going to lose everything. She tells me that they have to let me work because of the americans w/ disablities act, and she would fax my boss a letter. She also told me to contact the Epilepsy foudation, but why would I do that I don't have epilepsy. Then she says well, we have been conservative w/ labeling you w/ epilepsy, because we haven't pinpointed the area of your brain that your seizures are originating. great So work is still on hold NOONE will return my calls not management , not HR.noone. I have been diagnosed with epilepsy and......Went to see another nuerologist Monday about my seizures and to get a sleep study done and this one tells me my neck is too thick. Which doesn't have much to do w/ my venting, but it hurt my feelings. I feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. I got a call yesterday telling me if I didn't return to work by January I would be terminated, that all I'm trying to do is get back to work , but my management is blocking me, I think they think I am too much of a liability.  I really don't know what to do.  I used to be an intelligent person, but the Topamax has shot that all all to heck.  I just want to go to sleep and wake up in a different life.

Comments

RE: I just feel broken........

Submitted by LeeMc on Tue, 2004-12-07 - 11:02

Lee here..............Sorry for the bad experiences you have been having.  In my 30 plus years of living with this I have had my share of employeers - some better then others and some more willing to work with me for doc appointments and such that were beyond my aloted vacation or med days.  I always just did my job the very best that I could do and tried to keep a positive attitude - even though I didn't feel real positive some days.  I think that is what worked best for me.

Never had to invoke the ADA because I never needed to...and it came along after I was fairly well established in my career anyway.  I always talked to my boss(es) about the things that I could do for them rather then the things I couldn't do.  Most companies have other places they can move good people to.  I received transfers and even promotions over the years as things in my life changed.  Unless driving is an intrical part of your job - they can not use it to dismiss you - but they sure can use a lot of other things....like attitude, attendance, etc.  Your employeer needs to consider you a good person to keep on their payroll - and that is up to you!

In this interum - take some training to increase your value to this or any employeer.  Maybe ask them what they would suggest to make you more skilled and qualified in your field or in additional ones they could place you in.  Make them believe that you want to stay employed with them and not that you want to make them keep you employed.  Attitute can be key - and HR can be your best resource for retaining this job or gearing up for the next one.

Good luck and think positively...........................Lee

Lee here..............Sorry for the bad experiences you have been having.  In my 30 plus years of living with this I have had my share of employeers - some better then others and some more willing to work with me for doc appointments and such that were beyond my aloted vacation or med days.  I always just did my job the very best that I could do and tried to keep a positive attitude - even though I didn't feel real positive some days.  I think that is what worked best for me.

Never had to invoke the ADA because I never needed to...and it came along after I was fairly well established in my career anyway.  I always talked to my boss(es) about the things that I could do for them rather then the things I couldn't do.  Most companies have other places they can move good people to.  I received transfers and even promotions over the years as things in my life changed.  Unless driving is an intrical part of your job - they can not use it to dismiss you - but they sure can use a lot of other things....like attitude, attendance, etc.  Your employeer needs to consider you a good person to keep on their payroll - and that is up to you!

In this interum - take some training to increase your value to this or any employeer.  Maybe ask them what they would suggest to make you more skilled and qualified in your field or in additional ones they could place you in.  Make them believe that you want to stay employed with them and not that you want to make them keep you employed.  Attitute can be key - and HR can be your best resource for retaining this job or gearing up for the next one.

Good luck and think positively...........................Lee

RE: I just feel broken........

Submitted by JoPeart on Wed, 2004-12-08 - 11:25

You poor thing - how your life has been rocked

You've had some excellent advice re your rights above but please do not push your doctor regarding driving. I am only eligible to start driving again and found the 12 months (I live in England and its automatic) a long haul but the alternative of potentially being beind the wheel and causing death or injury to others is not acceptable.

Your employers reaction seems odd especially if they are big enough to have an HR team. could you speak to your boss and/or colleagues and request them to mediate on your behalf? I think the suggestion re coming up with ideas to retrain / be seconded to a new department are excellent and give the employers something to work with.

Don't despair - you are protected by law re your job. Let your friends and family support you - its easy to feel they won't understand what you are going through but let them help you as much as possible, dont shut them out.

 

You poor thing - how your life has been rocked

You've had some excellent advice re your rights above but please do not push your doctor regarding driving. I am only eligible to start driving again and found the 12 months (I live in England and its automatic) a long haul but the alternative of potentially being beind the wheel and causing death or injury to others is not acceptable.

Your employers reaction seems odd especially if they are big enough to have an HR team. could you speak to your boss and/or colleagues and request them to mediate on your behalf? I think the suggestion re coming up with ideas to retrain / be seconded to a new department are excellent and give the employers something to work with.

Don't despair - you are protected by law re your job. Let your friends and family support you - its easy to feel they won't understand what you are going through but let them help you as much as possible, dont shut them out.

 

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