What am I going to do!?!?!? (vent)
 

ok.. totally stressed out now...

My first day back to work was on Friday.. I have been on a leave for my MS because I was not able to complete my job duties being a customer service rep in a call center.

Im having serious problems with my speech being slurred and my word formation.

I took a week and a half off... was feeling better.. went back friday.. did ok.. speech was still horrible.. went home at 2 instead of 4 because we were slow and my numbers were the lowest for the call center.

Woke up Saturday with half a sore throat and my stomach was kinda queasy.. called off work. Went in yesterday (Sunday) and was sent home at 10am because I was not giving my all. I tried to explain that I couldn't.. I was so exhausted and my speech was so bad that I had no energy to sound upbeat at all. She told me that I had to go home and then they would call me today with my fate... I haven't heard from them yet...

Here is my issue.... I HAVE BILLS DUE!! I don't know what Im going to do! I'm starting to stress out about this more and more and it is making me feel worse.. I have really bad spasticity in my lower legs today and I know it is because of the extra stress.

Does any one know of any assistance programs that could help me? If I end up getting fired could I get on unemployment?

Supposedly they are going to try to put me in overnights in Quality Assurance where I wouldn't have to talk at all. Just listen.. But I don't think I can do over night shift again... I did it before and it kicked my butt... But if I decline the position then I would be quitting and would not qualify for unemployment..

Ugh.. I could just cry I am so frustrated and worried.... I guess this turned more into a vent then a question... but I know you guys hopefully won't mind... any suggestions would be greatly appreciated....

Oh.. and I think this situation is putting a strain in my relationship with my fiance.. I know he is very frustrated with me about the whole thing. He doesn't understand why I can't just go and do my job...

I wish there was some magic switch to make money come flying at me and I could stay at home and feed my recent addiction for sleep...

Thanks for listening guys....

Hey Chaz! Sorry to hear you are having problems w/work due to your health issues. I'm also sorry that I can't help w/your questions, but someone should come along to help soon. I will keep you in my prayers that you can work something out w/your employer and feel better soon.

I had to leave a job that I loved b/c I just couldn't do the physical aspects of it anymore. However, I don't know anything about financial help, as my DH works fulltime.

Hope things turn around for you. Take care of yourself.

Update
 

Called into work... I got fired...
Applied for unemployment but now I am afraid of the claim being denied. Anyone know anything about unemployment?

I'm sorry your got fired and that you were having so much difficulty doing your job. Just wanted to give you hugs. :hug::hug:

So sorry about you losing your job Chaz..:(
I don't know anything about unemployment Comp, but hope it works outt well for you.'

Prayers and Hugs..:hug:

chaz, i'm so sorry about your job.
i'm sure there must be an unemployment phone # in your area. i would try that. i hope that works out for you.

have you spoken to your dr about your inability to work?
maybe it's time to document this in your chart and start the ball rolling towards disability?

I have been thinking seriously about disability... I don't know if I would qualify though... I guess because I am not paralized or something like that I feel that I could not be considered disabled....
I suppose tomorrow I will be applying for medicaid... have to have insurance to get back to the neuro I just started seeing.... Then I can proceed in that direction I guess

Chazen, I think you've gotten some good suggestions here and definitely, unemployment will be able to answer questions for you -- actually, they're probably also on the unemployment website for your state. I'm sorry about your job and hope that something better comes your way soon. :hug:

I'm sorry you lost your job. Unfortunately, you probably won't get unemployment since you were fired. Also in many states, you don't qualify for it if it's because of a medical reason. However, since the unemployment system has changed a lot recently and the laws vary from state to state, definitely make that call to them or visit their website. There is a chance you will get it, and unemployment benefits have been extended by the current government.

I used to be in HR, and the reasons why you got fired disturb me. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you can get fired if your disability causes an undue hardship; your slurring on the telephone would most likely qualify as an undue hardship to the company. BUT, in a case like yours, the employer should have, and probably could have, found a different job for you within the company that would work for you and them. You may want to check out the ADA online for more info.

But since your slurring did cause you to lose your job, you may qualify for disability. That's not the end of things either. You could still work once you get qualified, as long as you don't make over a certain amount of money, and you could volunteer your services as much as you want.

In any case, please get documentation, something in writing, from your employer stating the reasons why you were let go. This sort of documentation will help you if you plan to challenge the firing under the ADA, or if you want to file for disability.

I sincerely hope that you get some empathy from your fiance, and I am so sorry you lost your job. You can certainly apply for Medicaid to help out with medical issues; you will probably qualify since you're still single and without a job. COBRA is an option but it's expensive. You could also apply for food stamps, which isn't a happy option, but it would save you some money. This situation sucks and keep venting! You will be in my thoughts and prayers, and hopefully you'll get the help you need very soon. :hug:

april said things very well.
you don't have to be paralyzed to get disability.
the combination of all your MS sx's may be enuf.
but, your dr must examine you and document all this stuff.
seeing your pcp would also be a good idea.

i hope things begin to work out as you formulate a plan.

April, that was a very good post and will probably help a lot of people. I wasn't aware that you could get disability and still work for pay. I'm curious, how much do they let you earn?

Thank you, KAO. Remember I'm not a lawyer or anything, I just used to do HR for a non-profit. And I probably didn't do it very well, since I was more concerned for the employees than I was for the Board of Directors.

When recieving disability, you can earn around $800.00 a month--I can't remember the exact number, but it's 8 something. That's how much you can make without the government decreasing your disability payments. I know it's not a lot of money, but it would at least allow someone to do some part time work that is interesting & fulfilling.

As for unemployment, when I was in HR, I only denied one person when the state sent me the paperwork, and she had been fired for stealing thousands of dollars. But the fact is, even though she had been fired, the state still felt it was okay to try. They denied her after they recieved my paperwork and documentation.

OK, new question for everyone.
 

First, I want to say thank you all for your comments and suggestions and sympathies! You guys can always make me feel better!

Alright... so I have applied for medicaid, and unemployment... I am thinking of applying for ssdi now...

Should I wait until I can go back to the doctors? Or should I go ahead and get the ball rolling now? I am not very smart with the whole process... any suggestions would be appreciated!!!

Don't wait. SSDI can take time. Get the ball rolling.

I'm more of a lurker here, but I felt I had to reply to this one. Chances are, you WILL win that claim for unemployment. Just because you are technically "fired" does not mean anything.

Laws do vary, but this will go to a hearing, and most employers simply won't take it that far. It's tedious, costly, etc. Plus, think of what's going through their minds...we fired this employee with MS...gee, we're going to look like jerks if she goes to the press...let's just pay the claim.

I used to manage a temp agency (ugh) and I learned that the state HATES agency/call center type employers cause they have lots of claims and fire people without going through the proper steps.

In my time with the agency we won ONE claim...and that was only because the claimant called the office and threatened to kill us before the hearing. He's in jail now, BTW.

If you have a choice between a phone hearing and a live one, definitely go, and bring documentation from your doc. Your employer probably won't show up anyway.

So sorry this is happening for you. Can you call the places you owe money to and explain the situation? The economy is so bad you will not be the first one to do this.

Keep us posted, OK?

I am very disappointed that they can get away with firing you, without first offering alternative employment opportunities within the firm. That seems contrary to employment and disability protection laws.

I guess it doesn't matter if you wouldn't have been entitled to Long Term Disability through your firm, but if you were, I'd fight the dismissal decision.

Make sure you get some help, perhaps even from the MS Society, when applying for SSDI. There are SOooooo... many things that we don't think of, that are relevant to their decision. Many people in the US opt for filing through a lawyer, as they usually get quicker approval that way.

Cherie

Yet Another Update....
 

Hello all.. and again thank you for your replies!

Here is my update:

I was approved for the unemployment *thank God* with no problems or hearings or anything! I get my first check on the 23rd of this month. If they fought it I was going to use my aunt's best friend (who is a lawyer) to lay down the law for wrongful termination due to discrimination.. or something like that.. I am not very smart with legal stuff....

So, as far as the SSDI goes, I am still really afraid of someone saying "You are fine... Why are you applying for that?" For some reason I have this ginormous fear of them calling me a faker or liar...

Should I just fill out the form and worry about doctor proof later? I guess I don't understand the process......

I have to say.. I feel better without all that stress on me... still quite tired but definitely not nearly as bad as when I was worried about all that stuff.

Oh my God... Now another issue... I just got a call for a job with the State.. I have an interview Wednesday... I have been wanting a job with the State for a long time. Insurance would be free for me and my fiance once we get married. He works with the state as well...

I guess I should look at this as a sign as I am not supposed to go on SSDI yet... Either that or if I don't get the position maybe then I should apply... ugh.. More to stress about..

Try this website: http://www.ssa.gov/

It might help with some of your questions about SSDI. If and when you're ready to apply you can do it online. You can start and stop your application and it's saved online for you. They make it quite easy to do. Your doctor's records do need to be complete and thorough, though. And you need to list all the doctors you've seen. Hope this helps! :)

Venting
 

I hope you get the job with the state because at least they will treat you better if you have problems.
Getting fired because you couldn't do your job is the perfect reason to file for disability. Start keeping a journal about how you feel each day as SSDI needs to how you feel AND YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORST DAY!

Stop worrying about looking as though you are "faking" disability. You are blaming yourself for your MS! It does different things to different people and if you ever do go on disability....you just tell people you retired.....its none of their business.

I ordered a book from Amazon called NOLOS GUIDE TO SOCIAL SECURITY.
It tells you everything you need to know about getting and keeping SSDI. It really helped me with some things I would have never thought about submitting.
One strike against you (and I judge by your photo) is that you are under age 50. For some reason that is a major strike against you according to NOLO.
Then they have to decide what kind of work you are qualified for (skilled/unskilled) and whether you can do work less skilled than you do now with your current complaints.

Well.....never under estimate FATIGUE. It is the number one disabler of MSers. and that plays major havoc no matter what job we do. And don't forget what the meds can do to us...one to help pain will put you to sleep etc.
Anyway.....if you do have problems working....get advice!! Going part time as some people do only lowers the amount SS pays you if you have to go out completely. Its advice like that you need.
Lots to think about...but I hope you get the state job and you feel better soon. Study up with a good SSDI book so that if the day comes :( you will be prepared.:hug:

We go through hard times with this disease, and then we may go through very long periods with no problems. How many difficulties have you had in the last while, i.e. is this the first time you've missed work because of MS (at least in a long while)?

I am not paralyzed, and can walk (not far, but I can). I was able to keep working for 14 yrs after I got MS, but the last two were from home. It got to the point where I was unreliable and they could not depend on me, so that was probably the main reason I was no longer "employable". What employer wants to have someone on the payroll that can't be counted on?

So, no . . . you do not have to be paralyzed or anything like that to get disability.

You don't want to try to do the application yourself, without at least getting experienced advice from the NMSS and/or a lawyer. You also need the full endorsement of your doctors. Those points are critical to the success of approval, from everything I've heard from others in the US.

Cherie

Thanks to all who have replied...

Some really great info! I appreciate it!!

Well I had my interview today and once I got in there and felt the enviroment and heard about the benefits I really started hoping that I would get the position. The good thing is, is a lot of people from the department know my fiance and he has had them put in a good word for me. I had a great interview... I had them all cutting up.

Ugh... I am about ready to go to bed... I have an MS seminar to go to tomorrow... I am really looking forward to it! It will be the first one Ive been to since being diagnosed. It is at the doctor's office I went and saw a couple weeks ago *(it's quite elaborate inside...)*

Anyone else in Tampa going to it tomorrow?