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ADULT EPILEPTIC LOSES JOB AND SOON HOME

Tue, 09/11/2018 - 11:08
My friend and co-worker who is a long-time epileptic lost her job with the federal government over the one-time use of cannabis to assist with terrible migraines she was having from the anti-seizure medicine Kepra. Since she was 'forced to resign' she was ineligible for unemployment. At 55 she has been turned down for Social Security Disability - because 'she can work'. She almost lost another job (working in a restaurant's kitchen) because she had another seizure recently and could not go into work for a week. She has not found other employment because of her illness - epilepsy is a liability for many employers. And there seems to be no right to work for these types of patients. My friend worked all her life (despite her illness) like the rest of us, but apparently she has no legal rights, and medical professionals are not helping to reduce the illness's effects or the effects from medication. The last thing my friend needs right now is no roof over her head. She is appealing her denial with Social Security, but she needs money for everyday needs and for rent. Would you please help? Please spread the word among your friends on FaceBook, Twitter as your help is greatly appreciated! When will we finally be able to have right that protect those that are ill? It seems as if every time she wakes from a seizure she is thrown into another (lower) economic group...Now she is almost done....foreclosure, loss of her car and home....does anyone deserve this? I think not. https://www.gofundme.com/epileptic-loses-job-and-soon-home Thank You!

Comments

WeezerI have had epilepsy for

Submitted by just_joe on Tue, 2018-09-11 - 13:28
WeezerI have had epilepsy for over 50 years. YES there were times employers could lay people off. But there have been laws written and yes One id the one with disabilities. As for SSDI most people are not approved and many have to file 3-4 times. However she can contact Binder and Binder who are National Social Security Disability Advocates I did and I was approved within a couple of months. They did have a charge but They wrote it off. SS does not approve anything the first time. The reason I went to them was I wa almost out of unemployment benefits 

Weezer,I have always lived

Submitted by birdman on Tue, 2018-09-11 - 21:21
Weezer,I have always lived with my parents and have never had to go without a home, but I too have been in that situation where I lost jobs because of my epilepsy and I lost my disability income because a previous job proved I was "capable of substantial gainful activity" and could work.   I called Civil Service and was told there was nothing they could do to enforce the ADA.  Because I was "guilty" of working it didn't look possible to get back on SSDI, and I wan't sure if any employer would accept a person like myself who continued to have seizures.  I finally found an attorney in my town who did Social Security Disability cases.  He was good and had some clever arguments to help me appeal my denial.  I'm with Just_Joe--encourage your friend to get legal support (Binder and Binder or other local disability attorney) and be patient.

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