Thanks,

I do, I have applied for sick leave.. I get 15 weeks then I can switch over to regular unemployment benefits depending on how many weeks I have in.

My job is very physical, it's a cosmetic sales job/make up artist in a boutique.
But it is a huge boutique, so when a customer wants a fragrance you have to walk to the back of the store.. its a lot of back and forth.. I worked on an hourly plus commission so you hustle a lot.

It was also a high stress job as the clients were more affluent.. very demanding.

Not to mention, bringing out stock etc. then you work in the other part of the store where covergirl, Revlon is sold as well. To try to sell them the expensive cosmetic like Lancôme etc.

I loved my job, loved the people I worked with but it was such an effort to walk and to walk with a cane was just so difficult.

I honestly felt like I couldn't take another step.
I'm dragging my leg, and I hurt everywhere.

I tried to call the neuro today but couldn't get through..busy ..busy.

Sorry to hear this, MHM.

Your plan makes sense. Get off your feet for a while, see a neuro and re-assess.

ANN

You are very smart to get out of that job. I hope you'll recover with some rest. I am in the same boat but I am too vain to walk with a cane so I do a lot of wall walking, but our store is small. I hope you'll get in to see the neuro soon.

Thanks,

I feel badly for you , hope you feel better soon too

misshayleesmom, I was so glad that I didn't have to make the choice to quit work or not. A relapse made that decision, called in sick one night and never went back to work at all. But I love it that all my memories of my career are good memories, none of it was struggling through the day to day. So again, God was taking care of me.

my experience might serve as an FYI for other folks.
i was an RN working 12hr days. lots of walking, almost all on my feet.
i had worked in this hospital for 18 yrs. had been paying for long term disability all that time.

my dr urged me to quit. but i just couldn't and kept pushing; for another yr or more. i thought if i went PT i could prolong my work life but it meant giving up my long term disability benefit. i only lasted another 2 mos. i physically couldn't do the job, my cognition was shifting and my coworkers were resentful that i was asking for some concessions like not having rooms at the end of the hall.

all in all i had to quit and had NO LONG TERM DISABILITY TO FALL BACK ON.
so consider my experience when you make these decisions. since i was turned down on my first ssdi try i had to hire the lawyer and wait another 18 mos to get any benefits, plus pay $800/mo for cobra.

yikes. i was in so much denial about my work. everyone saw the writing on the wall except me.

Sorry you had to go through that, it's tough.
I do have 15 weeks sick leave and what ever I can get through unemployment.
I had to do this 2 yrs ago as well.
I ended up having to quit my job and collecting unemployment insurance for a year.
Then I was basically forced to find a job since it ran out, physically I was okay at that point. My relapse was over. I was able to walk.. did have spasticity but it wasn't too bad then.

It's just frustrating to have to go through this all over again, some times I wonder if it's even worth it to work.. I have a special needs daughter (13yrs) that does take a lot of my time.

She is at a new school this year and is doing amazing
But she has anxiety and depression and so I have to help her with that too.

They will hold my job for 15 weeks, who knows what will happen after that.
I'm just tired of having to do this again.
I'm sure my stress level will be a lot better now that I'm off.

misshayleesmom,

Sorry that you are going through this.

If you haven't already done so, you should apply for the Disability Tax Credit for both you and your daughter. Download the form, and either fill some of it out yourself and take it to your doctor to have him/her fill out their portion & sign it (easier), or have your doctor fill it out and sign it. Either of you can send it in.
The processing & approval takes a couple of months and is calculated on your income, and length of disability; but it can make a huge difference on your income tax deductions and tax free savings plans.
It allows you to receive a credit from Revenue Canada for previous tax years when the Disability deduction was not applied, so when you or your doctor fill out the form, be sure to indicate that you have been having problems for as many years as you have in each section on the form. Depending on your situation, this can add up to a few thousand dollars, which Revenue Canada will return to you.

This deduction is for people who continue to work or who have income from other sources, but who have increased expenses and hardship due to a disability or combination of health challenges that are a "disability equivalent."

Canadian Disability Tax Credit & Savings Plan Information
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/t.../menu-eng.html

I did this at the suggestion of my neuro and although I still have an income, my income tax deduction has been increased, and I did receive a considerable amount for previous years when the deduction was not claimed. That extra income might come in handy, given your current situation.

With love, Erika

Thanks Erika,

My daughter already receives it, actually I have to renew it.
I didn't know that I can apply for it as we'll, that's good to know.
I have to get a note from her anyway for my sick leave/EI.

I will have to mention it to her, I will print out the form anyway.

Thanks
Cindy

it sounds like you're dealing with a lot.
i'm pretty sure that when you have a break from the stress of working some of your physical sx's will lessen.

i hope you can see the dr in that time and get some answers for your sx's.