How long can I keep teaching with Parkinson's?

[bulldogmom]

I have the little ones (4 yr. old at risk Pre-K) and I'm exhausted! Love the kids but all the 'extras' (paper work, conferences, meetings, class prep, etc.) are becoming too much. Any teachers out there with advice?

[alllowercase]

i am not a teacher, but i worked with kids for over 30years through Boy Scouts.when it started to be a burden, i cut my hours. is that an option for you?

[MGirardi]

Has to cease my Nanny career six years after dx. I was a professional private Nanny

and child care provider for almost thirty years in southern California. Now on 100%

disability from SSI.

[Dennis in reply to MGirardi]

I too taught public school and then became the Superintendent of the

school system and then Parkinson"s. Maho Clinic told me in 02.

I applied for disability from SSI and was denied over the phone on

my first call, Do not jknow the next step. Living on SS \sn;t easy,

~~~Dennis

[olpilot]

Only one person has the answer to that, and you can ask them every time you look in the mirror. Only you know when it gets to tough.when it takes more from you than you get from it, it's time. But thats just my opinion, yours may be different, but when I quit my career of flying, and then quit driving I inside knew the time had come

[isis6361]

I have many teachers with Parkinson's as my patients the one thing you have in common like lecturers nurses and drs is exposure to viruses from your children or with medical staff. As long as you arrange your medications to deal with your symptoms there is no reason not to work, I can only speak from the uk but our patients arrange their own medication timings around their work

[purelabor]

As for myself, I worked until I could no longer stand it. Remember the pain and exhaustion will be there no matter if you work or not. The difference for me was being alone. Now I still feel everything I did, and I set and I think it is worse at home with nothing to do. My hobbies soon dropped due to full time doing them.

I wish I could be out there on the job with my friends.

Just something to think of. How is your outside of work life? That is your question to yourself.

[Pete-1]

If you consistently get the timings right for taking your medication then you could probably manage for quite a while but if on odd occasions you don't and then start to stagger around the classroom holding on to things for fear of falling then you are going to be using so much of your concentration on that and will have relatively little left for teaching, until the next dose of tablets start to work.

This scenario may be beyond what you would be happy with. Or perhaps you could develop coping strategies of some sort. Or maybe your symptoms are such that they don't interfere in the way that gait freezing would do. Its all very specific to your own circumstances, your own collection of symptoms.

Is there any possibility of have some classroom assistance or more if you already have some.

[Sedona]

Over 10 years since my diagnosis and at age 55, I have finally convinced myself that staying at my job is coming at too high a price. I kept telling myself that I could do it and maybe I could stick it out for another 6 months or a year, but the stress and exhaustion are not doing my mental or physical health any good. It's time to make time for what is best for me, eating right, exercising, hopefully sleeping better, just taking life a bit slower and having time to do things I enjoy, while I still can. It's time for me to set the pace as I can no longer keep up, I feel like no matter how hard I try, I am drowning. My co-workers are well aware of my struggles, I arrive late almost every day and seldom make it through the week. Yes, it is time for that door to close and another to open, I will be leaving work (a promise to myself) by the 4th of July. Best of luck to you and remember, when staying at your job is not in the best interest of your health, it is time. Take care of you!

[bulldogmom in reply to Sedona]

thank you Sedona! Of all the kind and thoughtful responses I have received, yours is the most appropriate for my situation. I have never wanted to be 'that teacher' who just put in time until retirement. As I am also the caregiver for my disabled brother, I'm feeling overwhelmed and in a sense drowning, This last year I was a few minutes late many, many times. I just couldn't get going in the morning. Then I ended up staying late to get ready for the next day. I love the kids and will miss them terribly when I do leave but not sure that the price for staying is worth it. Thanks for your input.

[fishinggirl in reply to bulldogmom]

I was also a teacher of 3 and 4 year olds. When I only had one class in the mornings I did my job as well as before diagnosis. Then the next year I had kids all day, 2 different groups, and things became a faster pace. After 1 year of this, it was all I could do to make it through the day and couldn't do anything when I got home. It was my whole life, making it through the workday. When my Doctor suggested disability, after 2 months of thinking and reflecting on my life changes, I decided to go for it. Hated giving up my profession and had to "reinvent" who I am outside of work. But it all worked out, I can rest when I need to, spend time with my husband now, and follow my creative side. Hard decision but life is good.

[honeycombe3]

I taught most of my working life - school & classroom based SEN, then from 2 headships to inspectorate, then set up a government sponsored agency supporting families of children with SEN. I was dxd 9 yrs ago age 55 & retired early from paid work almost immediately because my condition had deteriorated to such an extent that I could not manage physically or emotionally. I'm UK based so I had a pension from teaching & I also had critical illness insurance cover so financially I was OK. For me the issue around commitments of any kind is 'can I really do the things I need when they are needed?' It is not fair or safe to undertake obligations you know you probably won't be able to fulfil. So my world is shrinking in some ways but expanding in others - especially creativity. On the plus side: less responsibility = less stress.

[salon]

i am still working .as of late i have been in so much pain stress and exhaustion that i thought i needed to stop working but at work yesterday over half of my clients told me how much i mean to them so the decision to have dbs is a very likely answer for me. if it goes well i might get to work a few more years for those wonderful clients of mine.wish me luck please

[maryalice]

I taught first and second grade, and a remedial reading class with 6th graders for about 25 years. I loved my job and it was a very difficult decision to resign. I know how you feel. I worked for 5 years after I was diagnosed. It just got to be too stressful, which is not a good thing for PD. Everyone is different, but you'll know when it's time to stop. It's when you can't be the teacher you need to be for the children.

I thought I'd go crazy being at home all day, because I was so use to being with people. But you'll get on a different routine and it'will be okay. Maybe there is something that you would like to do,but you couldn't because of work. I rented a booth in a shop and sold floral arrangements for about 5 years. I didn't have to be at the shop, just keep the shelves stocked.

I promise you that there is life after you stop teaching. Blessings.

[Parkinson_Schmarkinson]

After 20 very successful and joyful years as an elementary teacher, I felt my skills and energy starting to slip away. The job became harder and harder. I began to get all sorts of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms. I was miserable and exhausted all the time, confused by the new programs being adopted, and my classroom performance was spotty.

Psychotherapy, physical therapy, and psychiatry were of no avail. When I finally got my diagnosis of PD in Nov. 2010 (at the age of 57)I was strangely relieved; at least I knew what was wrong with me. I was able to retire on disability (a modest economic advantage over regular retirement) and was out by January. That was the right move for me and I have never regretted it.

[bulldogmom in reply to Parkinson_Schmarkinson]

Was it difficult to qualify for disability leave? What symptoms were you having that let you qualify? I have tremor, walking struggles, confusion, depression and exhaustion, etc.

[Pete-1 in reply to Parkinson_Schmarkinson]

After my father retired he used to say that he didn't know where he found the time to go to work.

[Parkinson_Schmarkinson]

I am in California and I imagine each state or country has its own rules. My symptoms sound just like yours, plus irritability and an increasing inability to multitask.

The process of applying for disability was straightforward, albeit lenghthy and slow. My neurologist backed me up. As I recall the process was with CALSTRS (the pension guys) and not the district. It wasn't leave that I applied for, but rather retirement.

[bulldogmom in reply to Parkinson_Schmarkinson]

Thanks everyone for your support. I appreciate your input. It is comforting to know that other teachers have had similar experiences. I'm in KS and have only 6 yrs in with this district. I previously taught in IA for 15 yrs. and can't get credit for that in KS. Per the Negotiated Agreement I'm 5 yrs. away from retirement. I'm 3 yrs. away from Medicare. Currently working on some options.

[mcbsid23]

I was diagnosed with Youth Onset Parkinson's a few years ago. I have three girls at home under the age of 10, and I am moving to 7th grade ELA after 10 years at the 9th grade level. Needless to say, stress is a big part of my every day life.

I struggle mightily with working, and what it is doing to my body. But what about providing for my family? But what about my personal longevity to be able to see my kids, and eventually maybe their kids, grow up? Rhetorical questions... with no good answers. My take is that I'm going to have to end up being "selfish" at some point, and do what's right for me and my body.

I hope you find the peace and answers you're looking for.

Also, take solace in the fact that there are others just like you out here fighting the good fight every day!

Cheers,

Matt

[bulldogmom in reply to mcbsid23]

good luck Matt! I'm at that 'selfish' point. I'm my brother's caregiver as he is disabled. I previously was my mom's caregiver. Since she has moved to the nursing home, my day to day duties are less, but I still manage all her paper work and visit as much as possible. So now it's time to take care of me! If I don't, I won't be able to take care of my brother.

UPDATE: Employer is working on a plan to let me work shorter days next yr. so that I could still retain health coverage. I hope this works as it could help me a lot. Please keep your fingers crossed. THANKS for reaching out to me. Knowing I'm not alone has been extremely comforting. Hang in there fellow Parkies ...

[Parkinson_Schmarkinson]

I assume you are in the USA, and if so, ADA law requires that your principal (or the District) make "reasonable accomdations" to your disability. S/he already adjusted your schedule. Maybe you can get a downstairs classroom or a paraprofessional or even a different assignment.

[Karen3]

I worked full time for 8 yrs after my diagnosis. I had to get up an hour earlier order for meds to kick in so I could get ready., If we had an evening event such as open house or parent conferences I stayed over night at a local motel rather than do the commute twice.

Good luck!

[bulldogmom]

thanks Karen. May I ask how old you were when diagnosed? What grade do you teach? I just seem to be so exhausted by the end of the day that it is sometimes hard to prep for the next day. Evening events nearly wipe me out.

[JohnPepper]

Hi Buldogmom

I am not a doctor or a teacher. However! I am very aware of the affect of stress on Parkinson's disease. Your health is very important. Whatever you decide to do, remove any unhealthy stress, even if it means changing jobs. You can't do better for your family than trying to ward off the progression of your Pd. Exercise, stress management, the right medication and a positive attitude all help to slow down the progression of Pd. Good luck!

John

[bulldogmom]

Thanks John. I have been able to work this out so I will work a shorter day this year. I am trying this so I will have more time to take care of me. I appreciate everyone's input.

[hermie]

As long as we live!

[Janeyjane28]

Take a look at the Guidance 'Fitness to Teach' and consider whether you want to Retire and claim an ill-health pension after, say, 15 years service on grounds of feeling a lack of fitness to teach. You can claim what you would have received had you stayed teaching for the full number of years. I found driving to work stressful and I could not handwrite. See swhwcornwall.co.uk/document...