Carolyn,
I have always told my employers before I was hired that I have EP. In fact before I started the
class to be a Medical Assistant -- when I told him-- he said " I think Vocational rehab will help pay your way. They did . They paid for the whole 9 months plus gas.
That really helped. I had been divorced for about 6 months. This was in 1974 and business was bad like now. I had been in a few jobs. After the last one I decided I either needed more experience or more training. So I went to our local college and asked if they had any tests to tell me what strengths I had and what would be good for me. They did. I worked as a Medical Assistant for a Dr. for 2 years -- then decided I'd rather work in the health area with people. I worked in a nursing home for 5 years-- 3 as a nurse aid and 2 as an activity aid.. Since that I have worked as a home health aid and have just retired this year. I worked for this last agency for 25 years. I am 78.
I now live in a retirement center where people know how I am when I am my usual self. If I am different they call my 2 daughters who live in town. I love it here and do a lot of volunteering here on this campus of 1200 people. My szs now are more like complex Partials. My girls say that my brain is scrambled for a bout 2 days-- then like you turn on a light my brain is working again.
My last sz was over 2 years ago and before that it was 4 years. Yes, I am slower than most but I figure that is either age or my meds. I have lived in my 3 room apartment with bath for 13 years. Most people know I have EP and if they don't -- I tell them
How else are people to get educated about EP if we don't educate them?
Millie
----- Original Message -----
From: Carolyn Burby
To: epilepsy@yahoogroup
Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2010 8:09 PM
Subject: [epilepsy] HELP!! anyone with ideas
Well looks like I'm going back to step 1 again. I seem to find a job then when they call me in for performance issues its always "you're to slow or I noticed you having problems, seizure activity" I was diagnosed at 15 but when I was a 11/2 had a high fever resulting in convulsions, encephalitis, and paralyzed on my right side. Never got full use of my right side but able to use it.
At TJMaxx I scan all items on markdown and they are now telling me I'm not fast enough. I hear this so often it's making me sick, and if it's not that they say I saw you spacing out from a seizure incident. I told the woman who hired me I had a slow right hand and she said she noticed it. I also mentioned I took meds but didn't say for what. Why let them know if they didn't ask.
I know they will end up letting me go and my husband John said to mention the disability laws but I have a hard time defending myself, because of growing up with the epilepsy and not getting the support from the family. How should I approach the supervisor and mention these laws?
I guess I don't want to get anyone mad and then stay in a job where there will be friction. But I do want to have the same rights as everyone else with no issues.
Thanks,
Carolyn
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