Just wondering......

[Josie2]

How many people on here work in schools?

There seems to be a lot of teachers and teaching assistants.

Just curiosity.

Xxxxxx

[Parky312]

Hiya Josie2

I'm a teaching assistant in a primary school. Have been there 12 years. Was diagnosed with RA 4 years ago. I don't know about you but I do find it difficult sometimes as the fatigue and joint pain can get in the way but the work is definitely keeping me going! Although by Friday I'm usually dead on my feet.

Take care

karen xx

[Dotty7]

I was a secondary school teacher but have recently been dismissed by my employer on health/capability grounds related to my RA. I was so tired and brain fogged I couldn't keep up with the workload, even working part time.

I'm about to start the process of applying for ill-health retirement because I can't see that I will ever have the stamina to go back to it, but as I'm only 48 I think I'm going to have a hard job convincing the Teachers' Pensions Agency.

Wish me luck!

Dotty

[Josie2]

Im on a pd day today!

Im a teaching assistant too Karen and it is hard work but at the moment im still full time, well i call if full time cos im there every day but only do 27hours a week lol.

I love my job and all the holidays help but its a struggle cos no 2 days are the same, and its tiring.

Dotty thats terrible you were dismissed and hope you get somewhere with the Teachers Pension Agency.

Thankfully i have a very understanding deputy head (who is in charge of ta's) and has been very accommodating when ive had to have days off (so far only a few). This is probably due to the fact theyve seen me going in even hobbling when ive had a flare up.

Its so unfair this disease forces some of us to either leave work or be dismissed!

[cris1728]

Hi Josie

There are a lot of teachers and also nurses who have RA and other autoimmune diseases I blogged about this recently RA and NURSES you might find some of the comments on there interesting

crisxx

[beachbabe]

Hi i was a TA with special needs children up until two years ago.

I have had RA for seven years and was finding it impossibloe to keep up

work and family life - i felt my own children were suffering as all my energys were

being spent on children at school !

beachbabe x

[sallyeb]

Hi I am an infant teacher. I have been teaching for 12 years but have had to be part time for the last 10 just so I can cope. Love the job and wouldn't change it for the world. I am only typing during the day as am off work due to other problems. Miss the little ones especially at this time of year x

Sally

[claireyj]

Hiya I'm an LSA in a junior school ...... I have worked there for 7 years... I was diagnosed in Sept with RA and on Methx ...but I agree often thought how many teachers etc seem to be suffering ! Claire x

[missmopp]

hi i work on transport for schools , but have been of work now sins feb, and , lost my job, because of the side affects , from meds , so it took to long was told, but i could not help that, as after being of for 6months they can dismiss you ,, but i am on lefunomide now, and feel alot better but work would not wait, for other few weeks to see , if i was ok, so got to try and reply for a job , and now past a medicinal , so un fair , jo.x

[k3let]

Me! Secondary faculty head and struggling! Would love to cut my days down x

[cazh]

Hi Josie,

thanks for asking this, have often wondered myself. I support students in Further and Higher Education. Was diagnosed last April, but was struggling for quite a while before. I'm fortunate to only have a part time contract (2 days per week) Prior to RA, I'd always worked more hours a week by doing overtime, but when all this started I was very glad to only have to stagger in for 2 days and then collapse for the rest of the week. Now that MTX seems to be kicking in, I'm working an extra day again. Have real respect for everyone managing to work full time.

[Kaz1]

Hi, i was diagnosed in Oct 2010 and was a senior teaching assistant in a secondary school for 10 years but have been off sick since Jan because of pain,fatigue and the hour drive there and back. It was a very stressful role looking after 26 T/As and 200 students with special needs.

I really miss my friends and students but know that i was having no quality of life and was so worn out when i got home and was taking it out on my family.

Karen x