I had advised HR before scheduling an interview that I had driving restrictions. They told me not to worry about it. I again advised the person that was going to be my supervisor after I was hired and she told me the same thing. I didn't tell them why I had driving restrictions, so there was no problem at that time.
The position was to teach a child with autism and bipolar disorder, life skills. I was to do this in his home and in the community. He lived close to parks, restaurants and stores and I planned to take him to those places by walking with him. A child who becomes out of control would be dangerous to drive with even if I did not have driving restrictions. Also his mother would be home when I met with him so she could have driven us to places if she wanted to.
After meeting with the mother, I advised her about my driving restrictions and later in the conversation, I mentioned that I had EP that was controlled by medication. The next day, ten minutes before I was to meet with the child for the first time, my supervisor called me and told me that I was fired. She was yelling at me, refused to answer my questions and and told me that I lied and could not do the job. I asked for her supervisor's name and number and called him. He didn't answer, so I left a voice mail. I never received a call back. I did receive a letter from HR accusing me of misrepresenting myself. I also received a call saying that they would put me back on their list for positions (the same position) in the area and I was told that they would contact me if they had a position. During this time, they were advertising on the Internet for a position in my area, but never called me.
I contacted the EEOC as soon as this happened and after almost two years I was given a "right to sue" letter. I have filed a federal lawsuit against them. The Epilepsy Foundation will go to court with me to offer support. I have asked for that agency to have to pay the Epilepsy Foundation to train their employees about EP.
The worst part of this is that this agency receives federal and state money and it's job is to help clients with disabilities, yet they won't hire someone with EP.
Terry
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 28, 2012, at 8:34 PM, "Elizabeth Quinn" <equinn76@involvednk.net> wrote:
> FYI...
>
> If you are interviewing for a job, NO ONE is allowed to ask if you have a disability!!! I drive, I do home visits for my job, and it's not a problem. I had to take some FMLA time, but I managed to get around, take public transportation to work and reschedule my home visits. Now, if it became a really big problem, eventually they could let me go, but FIRST they have to make a reasonable accommodation for me, which they did. I was able to work from home (which everyone can do 1 day a week), change my schedule, etc...
>
> elizabeth
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Susan Wain
> To: epilepsy@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, February 27, 2012 6:35 PM
> Subject: Re: [epilepsy] Informing about EP
>
> OMG! They cannot fire you or refuse to hire you because of EP, unless you are in a driving position! Did you file a lawsuit against the company?
>
> ________________________________
> From: Millie Myers <mylmy@gogreencroft.net>
> To: epilepsy@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, February 27, 2012 12:13 AM
> Subject: Re: [epilepsy] Informing about EP
>
> Terry,
>
> I have heard of one person who was fired because they had not reported
> they had EP when they were hired -- and they found out later. Their reasoning
> was that because they didn't know -- they wouldn't know what to do if you had a sz.
>
> Millie
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Terry Martin
> To: epilepsy@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2012 9:06 PM
> Subject: Re: [epilepsy] Informing about EP
>
> That was a good way to introduce everyone to epilepsy and tell them how to help.
>
> In most cases I am comfortable telling others about my epilepsy. I will not ever mention it in a work environment again. I was fired from a job after telling someone about it. I have filed a Federal lawsuit against them and have asked for the company to pay the Epilepsy Foundation to train all their employees about EP. Take care.
>
> Terry
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Feb 26, 2012, at 5:18 PM, "Millie Myers" <mylmy@gogreencroft.net> wrote:
>
> > Hi everyone,
> >
> > I have lived in a 3 bedroom with bath apt in a retirement center
> > for 15 years. Last Tues I was to MC our monthly birthday
> > party. The MC is to get the program. I had asked quite a
> > few people -- but I couldn't find anyone to give a program.
> >
> > So I decided I was going to tell them about my 50 years of
> > EP. There are 150 apartments in my building and there were
> > about 80 people at the party.
> >
> > I told them that my first szs started when I was carrying my 2nd
> > and 3rd daughters but I was not DXed until my 3rd daughter was
> > 2 years old. My girls were then 2, 4 and 6. They are in their
> > 50's now.
> >
> > I told them that my szs at first were grand mal but now are more
> > like complex partials-- and explained both; how much meds I
> > take daily, and gave some examples of when I had szs. I told
> > them there are 25 different kind of szs and about that many meds.
> >
> > I told them to call my daughters living in my town if I don't act
> > like my usual self -- stare, act like I don't hear them, don't
> > answer their questions and don't ask questions . I told them
> > that my daughter's phone numbers are in my Medical Alert on
> > my right wrist and on the back of my apartment door. I had also
> > made papers that they could take home if they wanted my
> > daughters phone numbers.
> >
> > I also told them about you in this group and how I had learned
> > so much from you. I told them I feel very fortunate compared to
> > quite a few of you who are still having szs although you have
> > tried many meds, have had operations and still have szs. I also
> > told them about dogs that are trained to know when you will have
> > a sz.
> >
> > I told them that the reason I was telling them about my szs is that
> > they will know what to do if and when I have another sz. I have been
> > on Dilantin and Phenabarb for over 20 years and my last sz was
> > 5 years ago.
> >
> > I got a lot of compliments that I was willing to share my story.
> >
> > I am telling you this because I truly believe we who have EP are the
> > ones to inform and teach -- if we want people to understand EP.
> >
> > Millie
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
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