How I broke my news to the company

[Guest guest]

Collette:

Re " how did you tell your company about CMT " well - that is difficult. I had

gone to a neurologist on May 13, 2004. He did the EMG tests when I said I was

having trouble with walking. Had to sometimes tell myself " now right, now left "

There was NO response in my right leg from the ankle down into the foot. I KNEW

something was wrong, but what?

Well he didn't even get me test results until November of 2004. I saw him on

November 27 and found out just one day prior that my current position was being

deleted. I was a " Child and YOuth Care worker " in a group home. That home was

being closed and I was fortunate to get a position at another home within the

company.

Of course I did not know what was srong with me, althoug the Doc figured it was

CMT. Because I am adopted, I have no genetic history for the Doctors! I was

afraid to say anything b/c I NEEDED my job. I had only been with the company 1

year.

So I took my prescription for AFOs and didn't fill it until March of 2005.

The new home I was in seemed pretty good. We had a real problem with

my youngest daughter in February of 2005 and the director of the home

was very understanding about taking time off. I then decided that I

didn't need to hide anything about my disability.

I got the AFOs in April and didn't hide the fact that I had them. In October I

went home early from my shift and did not go back to work. I had a " breakdown "

of sorts. I didn't realize at the time how much stress I was under. I went on

short term disability and in the middle of December, my boss told me I no longer

had a position in the home I was working in.

The Director said I could go on the relief list. I was not very pleased. They

did not have a full time position for me yet I had been on the company's pay

roll for 2 years. They did not say I was " let go " due to my physical

disability. BUT I believe in

my heart and gut that IS why I was let go. They sugar coated

everything.

I did call a labour lawyer and in this fine Province of Alberta, they were

within their " legal right " to do what they did. The lawyer said " It borders on

immorality, but we are not in the business of legislating morals " So I have now

chose to NOT tell employers anything.

I was asked at my interview with present employer if I had any medical condition

that would affect my ability to do the job. I KNOW that in Alberta they are not

allowed to ask those quesions. I CHOSE to tell them enough to open a door. I

told them " I have bi-lateral neuropathy "

One of the interviewers said " so, what does that mean, that you can't stand for

long periods of time? " I said " basically yes " THEY never asked anymore. Now

all my staff know I wear AFOs. I KNOW the Director of the comany knows as she

has seen them, but no one has asked any questions. I believe it is up to me to

figure out if I can handle a job or not. I, physically could do the job I now

have, so I accepted their offer. I am very wary of letting anyone know what I

have though.

It sounds like you work for a good group. I mean really, gov't jobs

are great. Yeah, I WISH I could work within the Provincial or

Federal gov't, but those are difficult jobs to get. Also, you have

been there for a good number of years and have a proven track

record. I don't know the laws and the regulations in your state, I

hardly know them for my province and country! but it sounds like to

me you have HUGE support - I would do what feels ok with you.

In my opinon though, humble as it is, it is NO ONE'S business what is wrong with

any of us. We all have our disabilities - some of them visible and some of them

not. We all have our strengths and weakness. Let's play on our strengths and

work on the weaknesses. Let's carry other's weaknesses b/c god knows they are

better at something that we are not. You get what I am saying. In a utopian

world this would never be a problem, but that is now where we live. Good luck

to you. I am sure you will do what is best for you, but it really does sound

like you have support and understanding as well as longevity which counts for

lots. I, b/c I did my degree as a " mature student " finished when I was 42 have

not had a long time in the work force so have not established myself. I will

continue to fight - I am presently looking for a job that is not so much

emotional and

psychological stress. I find that is almost worse than the physical

stress. So good luck again and remember is there any reason the

employer HAS to know?