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Old 08-04-2007, 12:30 AM #29
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Dakota Dakota is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 344
15 yr Member
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Roxie, you have brought up a very interesting quandary that many of us face. The legalities are very important and you do have to be careful, but there is also another side fo the story, and that is the emotional suffering many of us endure in this type of situation. Before I became ill and was a practicing physical therapist, I noticed problems that many of my patients had: often their supervisors, or their child's teacher or principal, or anyone in authority -- instead of reacting with compassion to their situation, would react with downright meaness, a reaction that never failed to shock me. Often these were people that were considered "good people", church people, well thought of in the community. But when asked to make concessions for someone with a disability -- even a child -- would be unbelievably cruel. Then when I became ill, I experienced it myself. I had always been an excellent employee and had gotten outstanding annual reviews, but when I asked for a transfer to a position that required me to be on my feet less my supervisor (who was post-polio and received special consideration herself!) reacted visciously. I had to get a lawyer to accomplish this simple transfer. I have seen a principal of a school fight to keep a beautiful, smart, charming little girl out of his school just because she was on crutches (before there were laws about this). I have just never figured out where this comes from. I have heard explanations that these people are afraid, or feel threatened by anyone who isn't totally healthy, or whatever, but I can't see why that would make people be so awful. So, in addition to the pain and disability, we must sometimes endure unexpected cruelty. It was so demoralizing to me. Even my neurologist, who knew I was experiencing pain so severe that I was suicidal, told me that I would never get SSD because "even people in wheelchairs can work", and that I was better off than that. I was so depressed for so long that I never even tried to get SSD, and am past the time limit now. All of this is just to say that I hope you protect yourself emotionally as well as legally. Be prepared that your principal may not be supportive, and don't let it cause you emotional pain. There is just something perverse in some people. When we are down, it hurts to be kicked.
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