After tottering around the office for months on my wheelie walker, adorned with wrist braces and a soft collar, I put in an application for a workplace modification subsidy to help me buy an electric wheelchair... except that mobility aids are no longer covered... so my application was rejected *sigh*
So I shuffled around for another couple of months, then saw an online ad for a second hand "Power Chair"... which I promptly purchased *Yippee*
Now I can get around the office in my gee wiz chair, instead of heaving myself in and out of an office chair 50 times per day and then shuffling off on the wheelie walker, or asking my coworkers to fetch and carry for me....
Except for my boss complaining that I am knocking against the doorframes and sometimes the desks as I get used to using a joystick controller... especially trying to get in and out of the tea room, which is at the end of a corridor, so I have to do a three point turn to get in and out!
Did I mention that I actually WORK for a disability employment service???? *shaking my head*
It seems that workplaces still have a ways to go! There's nothing wrong with my brain (mostly!!) but some days, it really seems as though making the effort to keep on working is just not worth the angst!
Please tell me I'm not the only one out there putting up with these sorts of irritations!!
Isn't living with PsA a glamourous and elegant existence?
Would your boss wake up if you put in an application with your agency for help finding a job that will be accommodating of your disability? If your office also takes complaints about violations of the ADA (if you're in the US) there might be the potential for some mischief if you're of a mind.
In the meantime, paint flames on the chair, get red streamers for the handlebars, and find a good bicycle bell for it, too.
Has your boss asked if he/she can help you with your tea? Clueless people- not much to do about them other than to wait until they have their own set of obstacles some day.
I see from your profile you are in Australia. Any laws protecting the rights of the disabled? You hate to get all lawyered up about small things, but if these folks are creating a hostile work environment a well-placed reminder of your legal rights might be in order.
My guess is, she thinks she is being funny... but at my expense... or that she doesn't think I am "really" disabled so I should be walking around in pain (and falling over at frequent intervals) rather than using a wheelchair...
You are right, I could go to FairWork Australia, which is the government body which deals with workplace complaints, but it seems a bit trivial... unless it continues... I guess I feel a bit as though I am being overly sensitive, but, to be honest, I thought they would be pleased for me, not giving me a hard time about it... oh well....
Your gee wiz chair sounds great ! Keep on moving I say. It's nice when you don't have to depend on someone all the time. Keep your self active and going to work is a great way to do that. I know I had wondered last year if I could continue working. I was in so much pain and having so much trouble with simple tasks. I told my doc that my main goal was to continue working. I still have to make adjustments to the way I do things but for the most part my work doesn't bother me about stuff.
It sounds like you've had a lot of hurdles. Let the boss just deal ...he needs to get with the program.
I love your line of thinking Louise! Nangogirl....I hope things settle down for you as you use the new chair.....sometimes we just need a break...
Louise said:
Isn't living with PsA a glamourous and elegant existence?
Would your boss wake up if you put in an application with your agency for help finding a job that will be accommodating of your disability? If your office also takes complaints about violations of the ADA (if you're in the US) there might be the potential for some mischief if you're of a mind.
In the meantime, paint flames on the chair, get red streamers for the handlebars, and find a good bicycle bell for it, too.
Has your boss asked if he/she can help you with your tea? Clueless people- not much to do about them other than to wait until they have their own set of obstacles some day.
Just thought I would let you know that I have left my job a couple of months ago.... and got a settlement when I took my employer to court for discrimination!!
sunshine said:
I love your line of thinking Louise! Nangogirl....I hope things settle down for you as you use the new chair.....sometimes we just need a break...
Louise said:
Isn't living with PsA a glamourous and elegant existence?
Would your boss wake up if you put in an application with your agency for help finding a job that will be accommodating of your disability? If your office also takes complaints about violations of the ADA (if you're in the US) there might be the potential for some mischief if you're of a mind.
In the meantime, paint flames on the chair, get red streamers for the handlebars, and find a good bicycle bell for it, too.
Has your boss asked if he/she can help you with your tea? Clueless people- not much to do about them other than to wait until they have their own set of obstacles some day.
Well holeysmoke, Nanogirl. Thanks for updating us on your triumphs – both leaving that miserable employer, and winning the settlement. (Yes, you mentioned that it was a disability employment service … pathetic!) But now the big question: have you managed to find another job?
First dose of Humira today *yippee* I am keeping my fingers crossed for a positive impact. ... Or I would be if I could cross my fingers, which are really swollen at the moment! Hope Springs Eternal!!! I am having an extended break from work, and I must admit that I am quite enjoying unemployment. ...as long as I don't let it last for too long... after all, I need to save up for another cruise *LOL* still, I think I will wait for my hair to grow back before I start job hunting!
That is great news, I hope you get some quick relief but even if it's a slow burner for you don't give up hope too soon.
My cautionary tale ........ back in 2013 I blew Humira off as not making me feel any better at my 12 week review (was actually 14 weeks) so the rheumy doctor, instead of telling me that in his joint assessment I had sufficient clinical improvement to continue and that I should give it another three months, just dropped it. I didn't find this out until very recently when my notes were reviewed by a PsA specialist. So I was too hasty and the rheumy didn't care enough to show me otherwise .... which left me with gradually worsening side effects from leflunomide and six months of increasing pain and more hoops to jump through to get another biologic. My second opinion specialist told me that if there is even the slightest glimmer at three months she will move heaven and earth to keep a patient on it for another three months and at only that point stop if the response isn't adequate.
I know in Australia your access to bio's is a tough, probably tougher than here in the UK, so I just wanted to share what I learned. Thankfully, I'm now on Simponi, that gave me massive relief within a couple of weeks and is still doing it's stuff sixteen months on.
After my experience with Leflunamide... blurred vision, increasing nausea, overwhelming fatigue and having most of my hair fall out, I'm hoping for a smoother run this time!!! I am getting a nice hat collection though *LOL*
I gather that here in the land of Oz, unless you have significant side effects, you do an initial six months on Humira before a funding review. Good to hear that you are getting relief from something now though, and sixteen months is a good omen for the future, eh? great to hear from you
Well, I've now been on Humira for 11 weeks (5 injections)... and nothing good seems to be happening :(
I now have anemia, liver enzyme issues, headaches and crushing fatigue... and my skin is erupting all over the place...but at least my hair is slowly growing back!! Every cloud has a silver lining, eh??