Grr! Not a nice way to begin a post, I know, but I'm frustrated (which is bit better than my mental state yesterday when I was MAD)!! So I'm a primary school teacher and I wasn't able to get a fulltime job this year, I'm working Monday to Wednesday which is great and I was planning on doing supply work on the Thursday and the Friday. ANyways, when I called to organise that I was instructed to call a phone number for a health check in which they ask you all sorts of crazy questions (if I WAS a primary school teacher with a drug addiction problem am I REALLY going to admit it to a stranger over the phone?). SO, long story, ummmm, long.... I was refered to a further nurse after I discussed my myaesthenia. This nurse passed my health check - BUT ONLY on the condition that I was doing supply work and she told me that IF I was able to find a full time post I would be refused work until I was able to take a day off and go meet with somone to assess my ability to work! Now, I'm not TRYING to be contrite, but LAST YEAR I went along for one of these assessments and the occupational therapist I saw said I was OBVIOUSLY fit for work. Surely they could use the information from last year, as well as my assurances that I fine to see I'm qualified.

I know they are just trying to cover their backs etc etc and they say that it is to see if they can help me and put anything in place to make my life easier, but the constant jumping through hoops is driving me CRAZY!!! I feel like a second class citizen. I almost wish I had never admitted I had MG - really who would have been the wiser!?! I KNOW they can't actually discriminate against me, but I do feel a bit vicitmised - intentionally or not!

Anyways, I'm sorry guys, I REALLY needed to vent! Has anyone else come up against stuff like this? My school itself has been so understanding about everything and just laugh because they know I'm healthy right now.

Thanks for giving me a place to rant a bit! Hugs to everyone! I've been reading your posts daily and I think of everyone all the time. All the best!
~Kathy

Hi Kathy,
wow, how frustrating!!
When I was working I had a wonderful bosses, they really looked after me, the good thing about a very small business.
At the moment I'm unable to work, wish I could, but I'm working to get better I guess.
hope things work out for the best
take care
redtail

I am a professional and I make money based on production. So far, my partners have been pretty understanding. I work slower to pace myself but I also put in longer hours than the others.
Most people with disabilities are easy for others to deal with if there is a visible disability like a missing limb, a wheelchair, a cane, blindness, and so forth. Does anybody know if the Americans with Disability Act applies to MG?

Thanks for you thoughts! I'm feeling much better today - not so upset about having to prove myself. I guess I should just be thankful that I am able to work and do as much as I do! I'm not sure about the American Act but the UK's disability act covers long term illness as defined by anything that persists for longer than a year. Although I do identify myself as disabled on medical forms etc (just to cover my bases in case anything were to ever happen) I don't have a disabled parking sign or anything. I figure there are individuals who are in much greater need than me.
Happy thoughts to everyone!
~Kathy

MG definitely falls under the ADA!

I don't understand how anyone can make you get and eval to "prove" you can take a full-time job

In the US, it is illegal to ask any medical questions--they can ask you to describe how you would perform the required functions of a job. Unless you are coming off of a disability term, you should not be required to provide a "doctor's note"

Hi!

1) Explore the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how it can help you in providing reasonable accommodation in the workplace.
2) The enforcing agency for the ADA is EEOC and they have local/regional offices for free consultation. You can file a complaint with EEOC if warranted.
3) Informing your employer about your rights under the ADA and EEOC enforcement may help them be more accommodating to you.

Here's some information and some examples of workplace reasonable accommodation.

======================

From the Job Accommodation Network of U.S. Dept. of Labor, USA.

MG and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Is MG a disability under the ADA?

The ADA does not contain a list of medical conditions that constitute disabilities. Instead, the ADA has a general definition of disability that each person must meet (EEOC, 1992). Therefore, some people with MG will have a disability under the ADA and some will not.

A person has a disability if he/she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment (EEOC, 1992).

Accommodating Employees with MG

Note: People with MG may develop some of the limitations discussed below, but seldom develop all of them. Also, the degree of limitation will vary among individuals. Be aware that not all people with MG will need accommodations to perform their jobs and many others may only need a few accommodations. The following is only a sample of the possibilities available. Numerous other accommodation solutions may exist.

Questions to Consider:

1. What limitations is the employee with MG experiencing?
2. How do these limitations affect the employee and the employee’s job performance?
3. What specific job tasks are problematic as a result of these limitations?
4. What accommodations are available to reduce or eliminate these problems? Are all possible resources being used to determine possible accommodations?
5. Has the employee with MG been consulted regarding possible accommodations?
6. Once accommodations are in place, would it be useful to meet with the employee with MG to evaluate the effectiveness of the accommodations and to determine whether additional accommodations are needed?
7. Do supervisory personnel and employees need training regarding MG?

Accommodation Ideas:

Fatigue/Weakness:

* Reduce or eliminate physical exertion and workplace stress
* Schedule periodic rest breaks away from the workstation
* Allow a flexible work schedule and flexible use of leave time
* Allow work from home
* Provide a scooter or other mobility aid if walking cannot be reduced

Vision Impairment:

* Provide large print material or screen reading software
* Control glare by adding a glare screen to the computer
* Install proper office lighting
* Allow frequent rest breaks
* Magnify written material using hand/stand/optical magnifiers
* Alternate covering one eye

Speech Impairment:

* Provide speech amplification, speech enhancement, or other communication device
* Use written communication, such as email or fax
* Transfer to a position that does not require a lot of communication
* Allow periodic rest breaks

Fine Motor Impairment:

* Implement ergonomic workstation design
* Provide alternative computer and telephone access
* Provide arm supports
* Provide writing and grip aids
* Provide a page turner and a book holder
* Provide a note taker

Gross Motor Impairment:

* Provide parking close to the work-site
* Install automatic door openers
* Provide proper ergonomics
* Make sure materials and equipment at workstation are within reach range
* Move workstation close to other work areas, office equipment, and break rooms

Situations and Solutions:

A teacher with MG was having difficulty meeting the physical demands of her job due to muscle fatigue. She was accommodated with a fulltime teaching aid, frequently used supplies/equipment were moved closer to her desk, and she was allowed several short rest breaks during the day.

A delivery person was having difficulty loading and unloading his truck due to lower extremity weakness from MG. He was accommodated with a transfer to a less physically demanding delivery route.

A clerical worker with MG was missing a lot of work because of problems breathing, speaking, and walking. She was allowed to work at home part-time and to communicate via email as an accommodation.

An administrator was having problems handling stress and had some double vision from MG. He was allowed to take rest breaks, assigned a support person in the workplace, and provided a reader as an accommodation.

A hospital employee was having difficulty walking. She was accommodated with a parking space closer to her work-site and was provided a scooter to use at work.

Products:

There are numerous products that can be used to accommodate people with limitations. JAN's Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR) is designed to let users explore various accommodation options. Many product vendor lists are accessible through this system; however, upon request JAN provides these lists and many more that are not available on the Web site. Contact JAN directly if you have specific accommodation situations, are looking for products, need vendor information, or are seeking a referral.

================

Can people who suffer from Myasthenia Gravis qualify for long-term disability?

Patients with Myasthenia Gravis may qualify for disability payments while treatment is first initiated and during exacerbations. Fortunately, most patients improve with treatment and many are able to return to full-time employment, perhaps with some restrictions. The level of weakness and the type of job have great influence on this. Maintaining employment also has psychological benefits.

The ADA was enacted to protect people with disabilities and should help people with MG. Here is the EEOC on disabilities:


Hope this helps.

Rohm.

Hi!

One big step to take is talk to a local/regional EEOC officer regarding ADA (American with Disabilities Act) about your situation. If your school (the school's Personnel/HR Dept.) knows you are aware of ADA, EEOC enforcement powers and possibly consulting with an EEOC officer - indications that you are an informed citizen on disability issues - will have them comply with ADA provisions.

Google EEOC and search for contact data on local regional/state offices.

Hope this helps.

Rohm.

Hi!

Google also on ADA and read the section on Reasonable Accommodations.

Thanks.

Rohm.

Hi!

If my memory is good, the ADA provisions also allow for the following in appropriate situations:

* re-structuring of existing job
* job transfer/re-assignment
* appointment to a vacant position

Read upon ADA and consult with a local EEOC officer via google searches.

Thanks.

Rohm.

Hi!

Plan B: As a back-up plan, read about Social Security Disability Benefits in the event your employment is in jeopardy.

Do google searches and/or visit local offices in your area.

Thanks.

Rohm.