Somedays I have been having really bad drunk problems(don't drink) lol as in I can't walk straight even though my intent is to walk straight. I have been reading and it says it is easier on the body if you use a cane or walking aid on bad days. Question is I work at a restaurant as a manager could I be fired for using a cane?Is there something out there other than a cane. I have been having these days quite a bit but would love to work as long as physically possible.Any help greatly appreciated.

I met a man wMS who used a golf club! Good luck to you!

Sorry but I wish I could say yes, and I'm hoping some-one out there has good news for you.

In my own job it was made quite clear to me that if and when I needed a cane, I would have to leave my job. I needed a cane. I resigned from my position.

There was just one opening at the place where I worked where a cane would have been OK, and when it became available, I applied for it. The bosses daughter got the position. I'm 57, have MS and had just been through major bowel cancer surgery . She was 21 without any disabilities, but the hours suited her and because she was newly married she didn't want to work shift work like everyone else did!

I was a tad upset about that one.

My grandma always said "what goes around, comes around"...and unfortunately for people like your former employees...time will come for paybacks....and God may not be too kind! That's just how I feel.

How aweful that you were treated this way.

and DEAR TATERBUG,
I HOPE THINGS TURN OUT BETTER FOR YOU. YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

Sorry to hear you're dealing with that symptom..I don't drink either, but some days you wouldn't know it..
Employers do need to give "reasonable accomodation" to you. What helped me was the Job Accomodation Network, or JAN. They have a website (google jan.wvu.edu..I don't remember the exact address), and a phone# listed on the sight..My MS nurse told about this organization and they really helped me out. Hopefully they can do the same for you. Best of luck!

JAN is great !! Coletaterbug, you have rights! If it is at all feasible, they have to accommodate your needs according to the American's With Disablities Act.

Good luck !

Bug, if you will be more confident at work using a cane, there isn't a lot they can do. If it interferes with your ability to perform the tasks in the job description, then it's your responsibility to work out some reasonable accommodations with your employer.

Because of the nature of your work, you may find a quad cane more suitable because it can stand independently thereby avoiding the unreliable leaning or hanging of it during stops.

There is also a little standing cane tip deal for a single cane, I haven't tried it, but it may be an alternative.

It looks like this:


I hope you can work something out, it's hard to leave the workforce, but sometimes we have to make the hard decisions.

No you cannot be fired for using a cane.


That must have been me! I used my Ping putter as a cane for years!

That is a great addition to a cane!

i too do the drunk walk, but with a cane i do better. although neuro is talking about a brace for my right leg its getting that bad i hope your emplyer is understanding, good luck

I remember when I first heard I had MS, I went through a stage of looking at wheelchairs, canes, mobility vans even though I don't have walking issues yet. (Guess I'm a pessimist). I did see some canes at Walmart with and without the stand.

http://www.wheelchairmedical.com/pro...228BRZ&af=1991

There are mobility sites that talk about canes, crutches, walkers, mobility scooters, wheelchairs, and segways to get around

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mobilityaids.html