Disability Accommodations??

[MyBDay]

I am trying to figure out what to do with myself regarding work. I am 18 years into a psychogenic movement disorder that has been getting worse. I am fighting now with my current employer because it has gotten to the point that, at times, it is unsafe for me to drive. Work is a 45 minute drive along winding country roads. However, when I went to discuss the idea with my doctor that I need an accommodation to work from home so I don't have to drive when I'm having an episode, she seemed to think that I just need to surrender my license. Does anyone else have any experience with requesting a work accommodation? How did it go? What did you do? And is anyone else having driving issues?

[cgarff]

I am fortunate enough to still be able to drive, but have had to deal with work. I work in a call center for a credit card company in the fraud dept. My fnd started almost 7 years ago with losing my voice from a cold. They have been really good to work with me when my voice was out, until the last month I was there last year, when my movements were getting so much harder to walk, and talking was being distorted when I did have a voice. My manager suggested that I go on disability just to be able to get off the phones, but she didn't understand that I had to leave to go out. I finally said, I need to go out on leave to try and relieve some stress etc, and see if that would help. She wasn't very happy about it, but had to let me go. Also my company wouldn't let me work from home because that would be favoritism. I ended up having issues with short term disability, but fortunately ended up winning in the end. However, I. Currently on unpaid long term disability now, fighting for pay. They don't feel that I fit the disabled criteria because I am still happy, not depressed, not on massive medication, I can still get around and do things like driving most days, and even though I struggle walking, talking and moving etc.., I should still be able to do a medium type job, and this is all psychogenic, so I should be able to get over it and go back to work. My company and social security have both denied me once, now I have to come up with more medical proof indicating I am disabled enough to get disability. I'm still not sure where the crap I am going to get that because my gp doesn't know anything about it, my Neuro can diagnose, but can't treat, and I am having a VERY difficult time finding any doc that is willing to help that knows anything about fnd here in Utah. It's been a complete joke!!! I wish you all the luck in the world if you go out, just make sure you have medical help before you do or you may get screwed over like I have. This has become a financial nightmare for me and my family, which for me makes me feel horrible and guilty that I am not able to do more. Its a double edge sword really, I can still do some things, just not half of what my work entails, and now that I have been gone for over 6 months, I no longer have my position, so I am not sure what job I would be able to do at work given that it is a call center, and vocally I can't do it. I am so lost as well, and don't know where to turn. Wish I could give you more, end has really turned my life upside down.

[MyBDay in reply to cgarff]

Wow. You have certainly given me a picture of what is to come. I am in talks with the EEOC at this point and have found them clueless. My biggest problem is that my boss hates me and she is using this as the one piece of leverage she has to bend me to her will. I have the benefit of not working for a large company like it sounds like you did so decisions can be more personal, but, at the same time, decisions are more personal, and my boss is THE boss. I will be praying for you. I do feel your pain. Going on disability is not an option for me. I could never take care of my family's financial needs with the tiny amount of money that comes from disability.

[cgarff in reply to MyBDay]

I hope that they will wake up and help you out. Best of luck, you are in my prayers as well.

[CindyG1205]

I am wondering the same. I have not driven nor worked for almost 5 months due to seizures and paralyzation but I can't get disabitly because I must be disabled for a year or my doctors have to vouche for me that I will be disabled that long or longer but they feel that if I give myself enough positive affirmations I will be able to walk within 6 months. Well I'm on month 5 now and although I don't have the seizures all day and night and have minimized to when I am tired or stressed I still can't walk. I hope someone here can help us both.