Working with fibro...

[Vicki081108]

Hi guys,

I desperately want to carry on working. My self esteem is and always has been, very connected with my career. I work with vulnerable people, and have done for the last 7 years although the jobs have changed in those years.... I have just had to resign from my current job as I was working as a support worker and there was quite a bit of lifting etc that I wasn't able to do. Now I'm faced with the decision of whether or not I should be looking for a new job. My diagnosis came a couple months ago and to be honest, I am still learning about fibro and trying to work out the best ways to deal with it. My fear is that once I disclose my condition to a potential employer, they will not want me. What does everyone suggest? X

[crop]

Hi. I'm so sorry you've had to give up your job. But please don't let all your wonderful skills go to waste! If any application to a new employer includes an honest assessment of why you had to give up your previous role and what you can bring to the role as well as evidence that you've though about what reasonable adjustments you might need for the job you're applying for, I would hope any employer worth working for would see they'd be lucky to have you! Good luck x

[TheBigF]

I always put my FM on application forms and I tick that I have a disability - though I explain that I self-manage symptoms and have done for years, using medication, and walking stick/crutches when required. I got my new job in April and was signed as fit by Occupational Health, despite having other health issues too. Just explain that you know your limitations and that heavy lifting etc is something you can't do all the time, but that your experience as a carer means you have lots of other skills to bring to a post - support, communication, enabling etc.

Make sure you have total control of your illness, I was taught how to cycle medication for maximum effect, like not taking all tablets every four hours, but differing tablets every two hours to maintain pain relief i.e. Ibuprofen 8am, Codeine 10am, Ibuprofen noon, etc. Explain the need for a warm environment to work in and also, if possible, ask for variable start times in case you struggle to get going on a morning, which is one of my big problems, but being alone with 5 kids to look after I have to do it - or pay for taxis to school/college - not ideal. I've had no problems at all with my work, they value my skills, so are flexible around my needs, and also as it's part-time I can vary my hours and my other job is freelance so I work to suit myself.

Just be honest and tell them what you CAN do, not what you can't - it's never stopped me and I was diagnosed 15 years ago. Best of British.

[Lucyhobbit]

Hi I taught for a number of years before I gave up (for non-fibro reasons) whilst working I contacted the Access to work scheme and they did an assessment and provided some equipment for me at work. I've always ticked the disability box (although never 'registered' as disabled - when I looked into it a few years ago, I read that if I consider myself to have a disability then that was good enough) on job applications and it never stopped me from getting new jobs.

[Zosie]

Hi Vicki081108,

How are things progressing with your work situation?

Xoxo