being able to work with MG depends on a few factors-

1. your employers and co-workers and how ready they are to accomodate your needs, and accept the way you are able to work.

2. your abilities to contribute to your work place, despite your disability.

3. your family and how ready they are to accept the fact that sometimes doing just the bare nessecities of your work place, will be enough to leave very little for them.

4. your ability to recognize your true abilities and dissabilities and work accordingly, without feeling guilty or depressed remembering what you were like before.

5. a physician that will be able support you and get over the downs when 1-4 don't work so well.

6. most important-a lot of luck so that you will have 1-5.

alice

Hi Jim,

Its nice to meet you! I think you need to disclose to the employer that you have MG. I think AliceMD put it really well, thank you Alice and welcome to the forum.

You need to disclose it as it would then give you protection under disability laws ( Im assuming here that you have something similar to the UK's Disability Discrimination Act) and also it would enable you to work with an employer to make adjustments for you. Without them knowing you would be expected to perform the role the same as anyone else. When it could be you need extra breaks or a desk closest to the bathroom etc etc.

I hope this helps

Love
Rach

Rach,

Nice meeting you as well and thanks for your input, much appreciated. I think that during the 2nd interview, assuming I get that far, is the appropriate time to disclose my MG. Yes, the US has laws to protect disabled persons, however some states are a “right to work” state, meaning that they can terminate your employment without cause. If you can prove that it was due to a disability then they are in violation of the law. Go Figure!

Jim

Jim.

Medical info should not be discussed in interviews...regardless of the unemployment picture. To the best of your knowledge, you should be able to execute any job for which you apply. That may mean that you want to assure yourself that the job doesn't require the stress and crazy hours of your last commitment.

If, in good faith, you feel you can handle the job for which you are interviewing, you are not being deceptive. Do you think the guy who has had a heart attack or two discusses that in a job interview?

Sue

Jim,

I should have continued. Should an offer be extended:
1) get it in writing
2) then, you can discuss accomodations for your medical condition

Until an offer is extended, your have no protection under ADA for a 'hidden' disability. You would simply be removed from consideration (especially true in a management position) as an applicant.

But before even interviewling, your current neuro and you should be on the same wavelength as to whether or not you are considered to have a medical disability. If your neuro does not recognize your medical condition as a disability -- then you would not be protected by ADA under any circumstances. And if you are considered disabled by your neuro, does he/she feel you should apply for SS disability?

Sue

Hi everyone,
I haven't been around a lot lately since I have been VERY busy with work (and our computer has been screwy) so I thought it appropriate that I weigh in on these issues in my first post back.

I live in Scotland where you have to complete a Health Check before you are given a job offer. I'm a teacher and a couple years ago I applied for a job at a new school and after a long telephone interview where i explained my situation (moderate MG - controlled by medication, able to function "Normally") I was sent for a further personal interview with a occupational therapost and nurse. I was told it was so they could see how they could support me in school but I felt stigmatised by the whole process. I don't drive (my own choice - not MG) so I had to take 2 buses and a texi to get to the interview, needless to say I was shattered by the time I got there. Thankfully the nurses agreed I could do the job and I was hired. Last year when I moved from primary to highschool I had another phone medical interview and the nurse I spoke to that time knew a lot more about mg and was able to clear me for work over the phone.

I now teach full-time at the high school and manage well. By the time Friday hits I'm pretty tired and it takes most of the weekend to recover, but I manage. I swim with my pupils once a week and regularly have to walk a mile into the town centre with them. I deliver an alternative curriculum so we sometimes play sports too. It's important for me to be upbeat at school so I push myself pretty hard.

I hope you manage to find a work/life balance that works for you and that your employer is supportive.

~Kathy

I was diagnosed Aug 2008 with mg after 2 trips to ER, ENT visit, Eye DR>, and 2 neurologist. I had shortness of breath, eye droop, could not swallow,and severe muscle weakness. In August neuro told me he could probably have me in remission within 6 months. I was a self employed Real Estate appraiser, so I continued to try to work and live off of savings until I went into remission. From Aug-Dec I was able to work very little and ate up all of my wife and my savings. In Dec my GP and Neuro told me I should go ahead and file for Social Security Disability as I was not in remission and had made very little progress. If I was down I could not get up, fell often, could not climb stairs,tired very easily,etc.
Since contacting SS in December, I have gone through the application process in Tennessee and was denied in April. I then hired an attorhey and filed an appeal. It is now Oct 4 and I am still waiting for a decision on my appeal. I lost my house in July due to foreclosure and we had to file bankruptcy the first of September. We are temporarily living with one of my sons. My wife works, but carries our insurance,etc and we cannot live on our own til I get my disability. It is very discouraging to want to work so bad and at the same time get the run around from the Gov't for benifits you are entitled to. Good luck in whatever you decide. This is a great site with lots of support and good info.

Pippi,

I am so sorry you and your wife have to go through this. It's really great that you have family to help, but I hate that you had to hire an attorney to try to get your benefits. Unfortunately, I understand it's not that unusual.

I hope things work out soon for you,
Sue

I thank everyone for sharing their "work with MG" experiences. I am currently working hard right now and am having a hard time keeping up with the posts, but it helps to read everyones experiences (even if I haven't had time to post much myself). I don't know if working is worth it all, since all my energy is used up in working and not much is left to spend with my kids, husband or for myself. When I do have energy left after working it is wonderful. Today I am wishing for another option besides working but I don't know what it is. How does a person at 37 stop working? Can I apply for disability without the support of my doctor? I am considering my options now.

Desert Flower,
I'm sorry to hear you are struggling with working right now. You are definitely not alone. I too have been battling this issue and would be interested also in finding out whether you can get disability without Dr. support. If you get an answer to that I would love to hear what you find out. I am thinking I will give it until Jan and if things aren't better I am going to apply for disability. Hang in there even though it is hard sometimes!!!
Kendra