How long can I work as a school teacher, I have had it 6 months?

[Finley]

[soup]

How long do you want to work?

What support can you expect from your employers to enable you keep at work?

Have you told your employers?

Parkinson's won't stop you working, that's your decision. It's so bloomin' varied, from one person to another, there's no predicting... Just keep in touch with your body and the way you feel about life and don't expect things to stay the same. Roll with the changes and enjoy life to the full. If that's being at work, fine. If it's travelling around the world, well why not? You have a chance to look at the path you're on and see if it's become a rut. (From an ex-teacher)

[PatV]

Take advantage of every accommodation. It's your right under ADA (in the US). I agree with soup (above) . I worked as long as I could, then realized my cash flow would improve if I retired (at 68). Good luck. My daughter was a teacher with a TBI. She had an uphill battle.

[BunnyTheOctopus]

Finlay, what country do you live in.

I tried to escape from teaching in the UK as soon as I was diagnosed, but my UNION gave me no help whatsoever, they "didn't have the bottle"

My Specialist said I should continue working and wasn't prepared to "sign me off"

Two years on from that I asked the UNION for help, none was forth coming.

However the Headmaster suggested I see the Local Authority Doctor. The doc said "your out"

Joy of joys!

Looking back at those events 10 or 12 years ago. I was in a much better position because I hadn't cut myself off from my fellow teachers/friends ie disappear from their 'event horizon'. They knew about my condition, but it was during this two year interregnum tht I gained confidence to tell people.

I was put on anti-depressants for those last two years, so I didn't worry about anything.

I played ABBAs Greatest Hits to my classes (IT was my subject, so i didn't affect their learning opportunities).

I didn't have to write reports because my hand didn't work

I became a party animal and put behind me the shy, unsociable me and enjoyed myself.

I was glad to give up teaching in the UK because successive governments have interfered with the state system. People who were called advisers would tell me what and how to teach, and I don't tolerate fools gladly.

My advice is to weigh up the pluses and minuses.

+ No more marking

+ No more horrid pupils

+ Leave while you still have time to be a free "spirit"

+ Pursue your hobbies

- Fall in income

- Greatly reduced social contact

- Nothing to do

Make your own list, because it is a personal decision and what I did, may or may not, be the way

[srarndt]

Truth be told, who knows? IMHO neither of the answers above may fit you either. OR they might!

I had to quit teaching because of several items coinciding:

First and foremost my voice wouldn't last anywhere near long enough for completing even a short class, much less an 8 hour day.

Second, yes I while I know I had rights under ADA that my employer chose not to spring for, and I could have pursued legal rectification, and maybe really been set for life financially IF I had won, I had neither the stomach nor the mental mood nor the money to keep food on the table for my family. So I chose not to and chose to accept the "bribery" of a severance package that would keep my family fed.

Third, my teaching job description was reworked by my employer in such a fashion that I would be required to teach on the road 5 days out of most weeks. A far too grueling pace than I could even hope to accommodate. I knew I would never last all of the traipsing through airports required of me.

On top of this my fingers were no longer able to accommodate all of the keyboard work required even to keep up with my email, much less do the course creation expected of me.

Throw in the uncertainty of my future symptoms, the mental depression that settled in and the economic woes faced by everyone else (not just those of us with PD) a couple of years ago - I reached wits end and "quit" my job (placed in quotes because of the organization I worked for not being even remotely supportive - in fact arguably in charge of creating the hostile environment...gee do I sound bitter?)

Long answer made short, I do not know how supportive your employer is, much less what the nation's economy holds in store and how that would affect you, much less what your symptoms are currently, or what they will "progress" to in the future. So yes, you might last 6 months, or 6 years or 16 or ...???

I do know this, that had I been able to have my DBS while still employed, I would have been able to work at least 2 or 3 years longer than I had...enough time to start a crash course of re-saving for my retirement. (Yeah, I lost that, too).

I do not mean to sound so gloomy! I truly do appreciate all of the blessings I do have in life! Allow me to encourage you to take control of this aspect of your life far better than I did.

[Israel1]

I have worked as an elementary school teacher for 17 years. I sought answers soon after diagnosis because I wasn't sure what to expect. This was five years ago. One of the first things I did was that I spoke to an attorney from my teacher association. She suggested that I let everyone from the superintendent to the custodians know that I had PD. The reason being is that if you ever need accomodations, there is not a question as to anyone knowing about your condition. It is not uncommon for some organizations to say that they never knew abou your disability. She noted that in the U.S. there is the ADA and then there is reality. A request for accomodations is not automatically granted, You need to be willing to negotiate what you need to make your job more manageable and their job is to not have to spend huge amounts of money on changes needed for only one person.

One thing that I attribute to being able to continue working is my position as a reading intervention teacher. The stress factor is there with any position you have but being in a support position sure does help.

[lmacquinn]

I asked that question after I felt like it was more of a challenge to work everyday. The truth is, the time is different for everyone. You need to explore all alternatives. Take in consideration if work offers disability and if in the US, if you can get approved for SSDI. I heard horror stories from people that had difficulty. Fortunatelt, I was approved first try.

I haven't worked for a year and a half. My advise is to work ad long as you can. Life without work is a challenge for me. Everyone is different...

[Aussie]

Hi, Work for as long as you feel you can cope. Stress is the worst affender for people stopping work. How old are you?

[Parkinson_Schmarkinson]

I retired last year after 22 years in elementary and more years at other levels. I was 57, recently diagnosed, and I figure I must have had PD for at least 4 years before the dx. My district's contract made retirement with disability a good deal.

I am soooo glad I made my move. I have not regretted it for a moment.

[Susie01]

I am/was an RN, I was already stage II at diagnosis. I tried going back to work in a "desk" job. The stress took a real toll on my body and mind, even with adjustments in medication. My employer had me take my job description to my neurologist and get his opinion on whether or not I could do the job, he said "No". I disagreed with him at first, but now know he was right. Cognitive issues have no place when dealing with patient care.

I have met with Voc Rehab, due to age and the progressive nature of PD, they will not retrain me for another profession but will try to find an employer who will work with my health issues.

[joyceann]

I was diagnosed two yrs. ago and work as a Kindergarten teacher. My medications are working so well that quitting my job hasn't even entered my mind. In fact, now that I am on medication and taking an anti-depressant, I have been even busier than ever. I am taking lots of professional development courses, got my Reading Endorsement, and am the team leader for our Kindergarten team of 8 teachers.

I am very upbeat and plan on continuing to work as long as I feel physically able. Right now..... it seems like I could do this for quite a bit longer. However, we all know that Parkinson's is not friendly, and I could wake up tomorrow with severe symptoms and not be able to talk or even swallow.

My goal is to take advantage of the good days as long as possible. And when it's time to stay home... I'll know it!! I am 57 yrs. old and too young to give up or to not be with my sweet little Kindergartners. I just love my job!!

[nonnie]

I am taught first grade for 24 years. After being diagnosed with pd, I continued teaching for 4 more years. The last yr. was a struggle. This job requires the ability to multi-task, endless patience and lots of energy. I had always been very dedicated and strived to be the best teacher that I could be. As the pressure and stress mounted with new requirements and increase in computer work, I knew in my heart that I could no longer give my students what they needed and deserved. Though I did have a super support system, I could not cope with needing help from my co-workers. I loved my job and it was so difficult to walk away. I do miss it very much. I went through a period of feeling lost. but it is obvious that my health has improved. I think you should listen to your heart ............you'll know when the time comes to let go.

[maryalice]

I taught elementary school for 25 years. I taught for 5 years after I was diagnosed. You will know when it;s time to stop. I agree totally with nonnie.

The every day stress eventually got to me. But trust me there is life after you stop teaching.

Blessings,