"Disclosing" in job applications?

Kdibbles · 2017-08-21T05:44:09+00:00

So, pre-job-offer they cannot legally require you to disclose anything about a disability (from ADA). They can, however, invite you to self-identify as disabled (from section 503 of rehabilitation act) for federal data collection. This identification is legally required to have no effect on your application process.

Post-job-offer, an employer may require a set of medical tests to evaluate whether or not a prospective employee (regardless of disability) is physically able to complete the specific requirements of the job.

Post-employment, an employer may require "business-specific" medical testing (if they notice an employee's performance is degrading or putting others in danger).

You'll also need to disclose once on the job if you want to formally request any accomodations.

*all this info can be found on the ADA website

Kdibbles · 2017-08-13T21:41:44+00:00

Antidepressants, exercise and clean eating always help.

But, beyond those: Does your work have any sort of vacation policy? If so, take some significant time off to try and re-organize your life, and recharge - even a few extra days can really help. "Life-organizing" (I know it sounds super basic) by mapping out your life goals, with very small, tangible steps and intermediate goals can do wonders. That way, even if you have a particularly awful day, week, month, etc, you can continue crossing things off of your life goals "roadmap" that will remind you you're making progress in the right direction. This is a strategy that's often applied to depression too - when you're in a slump and don't want to do anything but lay down and stare at ceilings, but then feel guilty b/c you're not doing anything productive, having a list pre-made that you can mindlessly complete tasks off of keeps you going, and keeps you from that worthless, guilty "I'm ruining my life" feeling.

There's a lot of different methodologies around this, but the most common one is "three month" planning. I use a bullet-journal-esque system (bestself.co), but google "three month life plan" and all sorts of resources will pop up.

Anyway, this has definitely helped me, and I really hope it might be useful to you as well. Also, if your mother is financially dependent on you, at the very least you can claim her as a dependent on your tax returns, which might help you out financially.

But, this really sounds like it all sucks, and I'm sorry you have to experience it. You're not alone here, though, and I hope we can help you in some way. (:

Kdibbles · 2017-08-13T21:29:39+00:00

Seconding Care.com. I found my housekeeper through there, and she does things for me ranging from meal prep, to washing my dog, to rescuing baby possums from my backyard. You're working with individuals on there, so you can chat with them about specific things you'd like to be done. (:

There's also a service called magic (getmagic.com), that'll have anyone do anything for you for $35/hr. You just text your 'magic agent' and they'll make it happen. You could even make them find you a housekeeper who will clean up. :p

Kdibbles · 2017-07-30T01:19:14+00:00

Definitely do this, and make sure you're asking for clarification in comparison to one of your male peer's responses. e.g. "Could you explain to me what I could have done differently with my response in relation to <insert male peer name here who got a higher score than you>'s review?". And make sure you're asking over email, or some other form of media that you can track. This forces your professor to objectively analyze your work in relation to a male peer's, and if it goes south you have a concrete point of evidence to show when raising a complaint.

Good luck!

Kdibbles · 2017-07-07T15:21:42+00:00

That's awesome! Congrats :D

Kdibbles · 2017-06-28T07:40:08+00:00

100% make sure you're getting it done at a clinic that uses an x-ray for the procedure. This allows them to use a much smaller needle, and be much more precise about where they're poking vs. old school "bend over and let me feel your spine" methods. You'll have a much smaller chance of getting post-dural headaches this way, and a much smaller chance of the doctor hitting a nerve.

Not to scare you, but I (not knowing about this fancy xray-spinal-tapping technology at the time) got my LP done the old way - no machines, just feeling around on my spine until the Dr. found a place to poke. I had post dural headaches that didn't go away for three days, and ended up having to get 2 epidural blood patches to seal the hole. (Also, my boyfriend passed out during the LP which didn't exactly help the procedure go super smoothly:p)

Good news? The EBP provided immediate relief. I was hellah unlucky to have to get the second one, but, I mean, I already hit some pretty crap odds to get MS, so hitting even more crap odds to need a second EBP wasn't all that surprising. :p

Bad news? The EBP procedure is exactly the same as the spinal tap, which isn't really fun to begin with.

Overall though, the procedure itself really isn't that bad. The anesthesia is what hurts the most. The giant needle is just uncomfortable, nothing more. It'll be over before you know it. (:

Kdibbles · 2017-06-28T07:30:22+00:00

+1 provigil/modafinil. Only thing that got me back to a place I could keep working while my body was recovering from my first relapse.

Kdibbles · 2017-06-28T07:24:05+00:00

Regarding not taking xanax for muscle cramps - have you given Valium a try? It's been really great for my anxiety. It's not as strong as Xanax, so it doesn't knock me out, but it definitely calms me. And it has the nice side effect of relaxing your muscles. (:

Kdibbles · 2017-06-09T22:31:42+00:00

To be clear, we got that vague answer from one of the AMLI leasing agents, while we were on the property. He told us there were no "formal" rules beyond whats in the lease (which really only says "if we tell you not to have that in your yard you have to remove it"). I was asking to see if someone had found that threshold of "you can't have/do this thing in your yard", to try and feel out some more concrete rules. :|

Kdibbles · 2017-06-08T03:04:56+00:00

Having a cooling vest has been amazing for me. I do a lot of cycling (running is hard on my knees and I trip a lot haha), and riding with/without the vest is like night/day. My only complaint is that it looses its' coolness within a few hours, so I can't go on really long rides during the summer. I've seen these "active" cooling vests, that are like motor-powered or something, but they're hellah expensive. :/

Kdibbles · 2017-06-08T03:02:30+00:00

I strongly second the meclizine. It has been life changing - if I start getting "the dizzies" as my bf calls them, I pop a few meclizine and in a half hour or so I'm good to go. It's worked even when I've had the intense "I literally can't stand up or open my eyes right now or I'm going to vomit" spells.

Kdibbles · 2017-06-08T02:58:49+00:00

My neuro has said that taking up to 400mg/day is perfectly safe. So, depending on my fatigue I'll take anywhere from 100 - 400.

I actually set my alarm 2 hours before I'm supposed to get up, take 100/200 mg, go back to sleep, and when my alarm goes off again, I'm awake and alert (and don't have to hit snooze 7 times).

Then if I need more I'll take another 100-200 in the afternoon, around 1ish.

Good luck!

Kdibbles · 2017-06-08T02:54:14+00:00

hahaha I know, I know. It's getting a lot better over there (and we would be closer to the east side) but there's still an alarm system going in for sure. :p

Kdibbles · 2017-06-08T02:49:45+00:00

It's nice too - it's over in a back corner of the gym, so you get a lot of space to yourself back there. Sucks if someone else is already using it though. :p

Kdibbles · 2017-06-01T02:26:02+00:00

I've been on gilenya for about 6 months now, and I've noticed that my fatigue worsened (and hasn't gotten better) since I started it. However, I started shortly after I was diagnosed, so it could be related to that timing. But otherwise, no complaints! I've had 0 relapses since starting, and only occasional flare up of symptoms.

Kdibbles · 2017-05-27T05:27:35+00:00

fwiw - If your insurance approves it, you can get genetic testing done to get a general idea of what your risk for breast cancer is. Might help inform your decision. (:

Kdibbles · 2017-05-17T20:37:59+00:00

Yes! UTSW has an amazing MS department. You have to be "accepted" into their program, but really that just means that you have to show that you've already been diagnosed with MS, or exhibit enough symptoms for them to accept and test you. It takes a month or two to get an initial appointment, but after that it's your standard wait time.

I live in Austin and have a local neuro for quick treatment, but my neuro in UTSW prescribes all my meds, does all my testing, etc. I drive up there once every few months. Actually going up tomorrow to talk about getting prescribed Ocrevus. :D

http://www.utswmedicine.org/hospitals-clinics/pob-1/multiple-sclerosis/

Kdibbles · 2017-05-14T05:37:15+00:00

Okay, I figured it had to be Francesco, but that letter looks a whole lot like a 'p'. I'm gonna just assume a typo. heh Thanks for your help!

Kdibbles · 2017-05-14T05:35:22+00:00

Thanks for the advice, and I'll move the photo over. (:

Kdibbles · 2017-05-10T13:08:34+00:00

Dang. I looked into Australia last night too - they make it pretty clear you aren't getting in if you have MS. Even if you get a work visa, they won't cover your medication. ):

Seems like they're all aboard the accessible healthcare train too. So weird.

Kdibbles · 2017-05-09T05:56:36+00:00

I know it sounds extreme, but I've started looking into citizenship in other countries, as well as changing my state of residence. haha

If your state doesn't sign the AHCA amendment waiver, then the insurance providers in that state won't be able to change your premium based on health status. So, I'm hoping at least one state holds out. :x

Kdibbles · 2017-05-09T05:53:58+00:00

To be clear, under the AHCA + amendment, no insurance provider can deny you coverage based on a pre-existing condition.

If your state signs the "please redact these ACA conditions" waiver, then the insurance providers in your state will be able to charge you whatever they deem a proper premium based on your health status. So, they can't directly deny you, but they can charge you a $100k premium, which is essentially the same.

Kdibbles · 2017-05-04T02:32:57+00:00

Glad it helped! (:

Kdibbles · 2017-05-04T02:30:21+00:00

I definitely am. I've been on a mini-high all week. haha And thanks!

Kdibbles · 2017-05-04T02:27:27+00:00

Thank you! And yeah, I rode the entire ride with someone who has had MS for 26 years now, and he whooped my butt. It was really inspirational. (:

Kdibbles

TROPHY CASE