I take your point entirely.As I was post 1st op in 88 I could not work as I still had uncontrollable bowel movements.Post 89 op all Crohns symptoms ended!Right away!Wonderful freedom!Year after year pouch changes became less frequent as I became more adept at the art!Thanks to Anne,SCN,negotiating this was made so easy!Keep on with B12 and soon life with an ileo becomes nothing like disabling!
Regardless of how able we feel, we rely on a medical device, so we are considered disabled in the eyes of the law. That status offers us some protection, but it also gives us "legal ammunition " for when it comes time for our employer to accommodate us in some way. Congrats on the job and good luck with your surgery!
Kate,after seeing your latest cast I had to reply to the disability question you pose.As I have been with my ileostomy since 1988 I would have to say no,I don't consider myself disabled.I do,eat,drink everything I did in 86/87.The b12 jabs are indispensable though.Good luck,keep the updates coming!
Hi Lea! Yes that's why I'm not sure!! I don't feel unable to do anything I want to do, but at the same time recognise sometimes I need some understanding from employers (e.g. Time away from my desk to change my appliance, or access to toilets, time off for surgeries or exhaustion). I think it's the wording I'm not comfortable with!! Wish it was 'Disability or Chronic Illness Related Leave'!
Good thinking about asking employers to record any absences related to ostomy and IBD separately to 'normal' sick leave! I'm still on the fence about whether it's a disability or not, because on the one hand it doesn't really stop me from doing anything, but on the other hand I still use a medical device. Great video!
+Thaila Skye thanks! :) yeh I'm still undecided re disability...other illnesses/diseases are automatically recognised as disability at my work, like cancer, MS, HIV.. I wonder if someone who had them would think of themselves as disabled too!
I take your point entirely.As I was post 1st op in 88 I could not work as I still had uncontrollable bowel movements.Post 89 op all Crohns symptoms ended!Right away!Wonderful freedom!Year after year pouch changes became less frequent as I became more adept at the art!Thanks to Anne,SCN,negotiating this was made so easy!Keep on with B12 and soon life with an ileo becomes nothing like disabling!
Regardless of how able we feel, we rely on a medical device, so we are considered disabled in the eyes of the law. That status offers us some protection, but it also gives us "legal ammunition " for when it comes time for our employer to accommodate us in some way.
Congrats on the job and good luck with your surgery!
Kate,after seeing your latest cast I had to reply to the disability question you pose.As I have been with my ileostomy since 1988 I would have to say no,I don't consider myself disabled.I do,eat,drink everything I did in 86/87.The b12 jabs are indispensable though.Good luck,keep the updates coming!
Hi Lea! Yes that's why I'm not sure!! I don't feel unable to do anything I want to do, but at the same time recognise sometimes I need some understanding from employers (e.g. Time away from my desk to change my appliance, or access to toilets, time off for surgeries or exhaustion). I think it's the wording I'm not comfortable with!! Wish it was 'Disability or Chronic Illness Related Leave'!
Good thinking about asking employers to record any absences related to ostomy and IBD separately to 'normal' sick leave! I'm still on the fence about whether it's a disability or not, because on the one hand it doesn't really stop me from doing anything, but on the other hand I still use a medical device. Great video!
+Thaila Skye / Oh, and CONGRATS on the job! :)
+Thaila Skye thanks! :) yeh I'm still undecided re disability...other illnesses/diseases are automatically recognised as disability at my work, like cancer, MS, HIV.. I wonder if someone who had them would think of themselves as disabled too!