I just found out that RSD is covered under the American Disabilities Act (ADA). I didn't know that and just wanted to post it just in case anyone was interested.

What does than mean for us with RSD

All disabilities fall under the ADA. Including CRPS.

I did not know that. Thanks for enlightening me.

CRPS is a very disabling condition. It doesn't just effect the body in the amount of pain we have. It also effects our mental health. Social Security has a code for CRPS for when someone files for disability through them. The ADA covers ALL disabilities not just the visual ones. They cover the invisible ones like ours. If you look at me you will see a pregnant mom thats tired and still keeping up with her very active 2 yr old. You don't see the pain I'm in or the atrophy/edema going on in my legs because I don't wear clothes that leave them uncovered. You will see me use a cane at times and wonder why. People in general see what they want to see. The ADA makes sure we aren't discrinated against just because we don't have a visible disability like a person with Down Syndrome (by the way they have a better grsp on things than "normal" people) or a blind person with a guide dog. For example, you tell your employer that you have this disorder, and have the documentation from your dr. They fire you for absences because of your condition. Thats discrimination, and the ADA will back you as long as you had already talked to your employer and filed away those papers with your employer. They knew about your condition, and because they knew you might need extra time off because of it and they still fired you is discrimination.

Thanks for explaining the ADA. It's good to know.

Thank you so that means it should be easier for me to get disability benifits sooner no made how I look outwardly. Thank you that me feel better.

It is a good thing that they recognize it. Most of my family still doesn't know what it is. They think its JUST arthritis, or a little fybromyalgia, or all in my head, or Im a hypochondriac lol. I do have an Aunt thats a hypochondriac. She now has CRPS also and is on gabapentin like I was lol, or she says she is. She isn't on any prescribed meds for anything except arthritis, and thats tylenol, or aleve. I am glad word of this disorder is getting out more. I have educated my drs that I have right now on this disorder and how it effects me. I am also trying to educate as many people as I can. It's a hard road and with 1 of the largest organizations out there knowing about it does help a lot. With that said I will quit preaching lol. Keep doing what you have to to get the word out and helping each other.

I don't know. It was just nice to see rsd recognized as a disability.

I know this thread turned into a bit of discussion about disability...but I just wanted to comment on the ADA a bit and how important it is for those of us who still work because I think a lot of people don't understand how much help the ADA is for us.

After being off work for a little over a year I was released back to work. I needed a walker and also to be able to wear gym shoes, gloves, and a scarf. I was told by my employer that they would not allow me to return to work because I needed a walker and I would be a hardship to the other employees in the building. I knew this wasn't right (I had done my research on the ADA and what my rights were prior to being released back...I had lots of time on my hands) and I told my employer as much. They used buzz words to try and convince me that they had every right to deny me my return to work and stuck by their answer.

So I filed a charge of discrimination with the EEOC for disability discrimination. This is free and you do not need an attorney. It took several months as my employer really left me hanging for as long as possible (probably to see if I would just go away and give up...they apparently didn't know me at all)...but in the end my employer gave in and let me come back to work...and paid me back pay for all 4 months since I had been released and they would not let me work.

There are a lot of accommodations that you can ask for your employer to provide that will allow you to continue to work and make things easier for you. I am not the same person I was prior to getting RSD...there are so many things that I can't do the same way...but I find that I CAN get things done (just have to go about them differently). Your employer has to pay for these accommodations too as long as the cost of doing so wouldn't be a hardship (and if it's a big company...it's not going to be...just being expensive does not equal a hardship). Accommodations can even include a reassigning of job responsibilities so long as you are able to do the PRIMARY function of your job.

In my case...I didn't need to have the company pay for any of my accommodations because I already had a walker and the other things I needed. Since my return (and recent promotion) I have also needed to use a space heater in my office. This didn't require any of the drama that I went through before...my boss was fine with it and I didn't need to put in any sort of formal request. But I know what my rights are and in the future my needs might change so it's good to know what my rights are.

When considering whether or not you are able to work...I think it's important to understand and consider what you can ask for and what your employer is required to provide as a result of the ADA.