Myasthenia Gravis Support Group
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Although myasthenia gravis may affect any voluntary muscle, muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and...
As I posted before, I was released to return to work on Feb. 1. Well, My superintendent squashed it all because he doesn't like the way the Doctors release stated that I should "monitor extreme physical activity that could possibly result in exacerbation". He wants a clean bill of health before he "allows" me to return to work. Another person who doesn't understand that I have to live with MG for the rest of my life and it doesn't just go away. The human resources dept. faxed paper work to my pcp wanting to know full details of my illness. I spent the last two days calling my pcp, and did some looking into the EEOC website and if I understand correctly, my employer has broken the law twice. One, he first told me I could only come back on modified duty, which I agreed to, then changed his mind 5 hours later stating not to come back at all, until I get a Doctors release stating I can do full duty. Uh, that's what I gave him in the first place. Number two he is trying to acquire information about my medical condition, which is not allowed.
I am not looking for a big battle over this, I just want to go back to work. When I first was diagnosed with MG, I had no clue of what I was up against. I tried to work through it, but I ended up in the hospital after 22 days with breathing issues. I set goals way too high for myself, and failed miserably at reaching them. I began the process of achieving smaller goals, the ability to swallow, regain the use of my arms and hands, walk without a cane. To stay moving around and walking for an hour, then 2, 6, 10, then all day. Ultimately, to return to work, and get back to normal as possible. Well, I'm there, and my employer is trying to stop it. I know he has a job to do and he is covering his butt. If I didn't think I couldn't do the job, I would be honest about it, and tell the Doctor that I am not ready.
Well, the Doctor faxed the paper work, I'm just waiting to hear from my employer.
I am not looking for a big battle over this, I just want to go back to work. When I first was diagnosed with MG, I had no clue of what I was up against. I tried to work through it, but I ended up in the hospital after 22 days with breathing issues. I set goals way too high for myself, and failed miserably at reaching them. I began the process of achieving smaller goals, the ability to swallow, regain the use of my arms and hands, walk without a cane. To stay moving around and walking for an hour, then 2, 6, 10, then all day. Ultimately, to return to work, and get back to normal as possible. Well, I'm there, and my employer is trying to stop it. I know he has a job to do and he is covering his butt. If I didn't think I couldn't do the job, I would be honest about it, and tell the Doctor that I am not ready.
Well, the Doctor faxed the paper work, I'm just waiting to hear from my employer.
MG is on the SS Administration disability list. I am sorry for your trouble.
As soon as they received the copies, everyone perked up and listened to me. Before that, they kept telling me to home until I felt better. One day, I cried like a baby. I broke down right there in the office.
I will be thinking of you. Keep in touch with what is going on.
Barbel
We become a liability to them.
I went to war and accused then of looking for avenues to terminate my employment and then advised that I had contacted the Australian Human Rights Commission and that due to my current MG related disabilities that I come under their legislation and that they are obliged by law to prepare a return to work program that acknowledges what I can and cannot do. It was very interesting how the tone if their discussions altered after I stated this and I am now advised to focus on my health and fhat when I up to it we can discuss the return to work plan.
Check all the legislative bodies that look after workers in your country and see if you can seek protection.
I am not sure whether I even want to go back to my job as it was very stressful but would still like to see if they will modify it.
Joe
The other hard part with MG is dealing with stress to begin with. It doesn't help when others are turds about it.
I did just as Barbel did and printed a flyer on MG from the MGFA website, the ADA law and a brief history of my experience with MG. The later is not required or encouraged but I wanted to be up front and honest. I work for a hospital though and I wouldn't do that with any other employer out there. I just figured that if I'm going to work at a hospital it's probably a good idea that they know what is possible in the event that I collapse at work one day.
I am very happy for you that you got the outcome that you wanted.
Take care of yourself and big hugs to you.
Angie
**Joe - It's HIPAA (not HIPPA) in case anyone out there is trying to look that up for more information on it... lol (It's the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
I'm not trying to correct you or be a word monitor, but we have folks on here from outside of the US I wanted to make sure that they could find info on it if they wanted to.