I was diagnosed with PTSD this year (not a vet) and coincidentally fired shortly thereafter for the first time ever at 40 years old; this was ironically from an Army environment (no, really). My family (at a geographic distance -- I have no support network nearby) convinced me that I was not in the shape to file an EEOC complaint even if a lawyer encouraged me to pursue a case. I had to put all my energy into trying to find a job in spite of this misfortune since I was so desperate to restore health insurance. By luck and timing, I finally got a job before I went belly-up broke, but I'd drained all my savings or whatever resources I had which I also had to direct to outstanding medical bills. I owe taxes next year too for taking a distribution but deferring the tax. If my elderly father were not around to keep me afloat during that time, it's very possible I would've become homeless. I was so grateful to return to work, restore my insurance, re-enstate my clearance level (hopefully), and have a path to a better future where I could heal and thrive again. Two months into the new project at a different Federal agency, I didn't consciously realize the open office "fishbowl" environment where I was working was overstimulating me to the point where my worst PTSD symptoms re-emerged for no reason at all (insomnia, increased heart rate, sweating, odd pains, weight loss, difficulty calming down). I have had these symptoms for years, but since I have not gotten proper treatment, I don't exactly know WHY my body starts reacting this way, even if I am not consciously worried about something. I (and many other colleagues without PTSD) expressed concern about the work environment, so at least I had the reassurance I wasn't completely crazy, uniquely uncomfortable, or a distinguished complainer. We tried to work as a group to request a little more flexibility for EVERYONE. That was dismissed and ignored. So, for the first time, I tried to make a reasonable accommodation request after researching it -- I wrote the request, outlined the symptoms and the disorder, proposed a few options but said I looked forward to discussing any available options or resources except I needed help determining them, and agreed to cooperate with any documentation or pull my doctor into the loop if needed. I work on a software development team under a Federal agency in the DC area; as such, I'm confident it has a policy or process for ADA accommodations (we're even working on making software that is more 508-compliant, how ironic is THAT?). But, my company's upper management ignored my request and did not take it seriously in spite of my attempts to follow up, assist in the process, or get information or an answer over several weeks. They moved me to another room, determined that was sufficient, and said they'd get back to me. My company has no HR and management says it never handled a request before (totally believable for their small size). It sounds like they made my immediate manager responsible for communicating with me (who HAS been supportive), but his leaders cut him out of the conversation or kept him in the dark (so who know's if the accommodation was discussed at all with the Agency above his level -- there's no trace and I've just been hanging on vague words). My doctor is not able to see me for another month unless someone else cancels and insurance or other barriers have kept reliable help or relief out of reach; it will be out of pocket again, further inhibiting getting continuous treatment. After weeks of worsening symptoms and no relief in sight from neither the medical/insurance system or from my workplace, I gave up and resigned after a few absences and another hit to my income, which doesn't help me either. I also feel too worn down to launch into a difficult, ambitious job search in spite of the urgency. I am so worn down from all these events. Our society is very glib about the notion of "speaking up if you need help" and to not feel alone, but my experience navigating this process -- getting hospitalized, becoming diagnosed, getting fired, being left out in the cold, turned away by gobs of recruiters after a long history of previously being able to choose my pick of jobs, having difficulty finding someone who can see me (that I can afford -- insurance doesn't cover much) on a schedule that works for THEM since mine has no flexibility -- has been filled with shut door after shut door. And we wonder why so many people with PTSD become so hopeless, they give up altogether (what a tragedy!). None of those people meant any harm or had malicious intent in my journey maneuvering the complexity of all of this, but it's disappointing that I haven't received much help or support, either, in spite of trying to do everything I can. Has anyone else gone through this and survived it? What made the difference that led to a breakthrough? I feel for any of you struggling out there and hope that YOU are able to get the help and support that YOU need (and humanly deserve). Everyone deserves a chance to thrive and prosper.
Hey there. I hope you're in a better situation now. I read your entire comment and it moved me. I'm sorry that you had to go through that experience and farce of a system that meant to serve you. Clearly there were loopholes that abled people didn't consider when writing laws for the disability community. I hope that one day the process is less taxing and stringent so you can get the reasonable accommodations that you need. I'm an OTA grad studying for the NBCOT, and watching this vid to be more educated in the ADA and how we treat our patients. I learned more from your comment as well so thank you for sharing. I hope things are better now.
I ama mentally disabled veteran and it took two White House inquiries to get weekly counseling with someone who refuses to forensically document to court over assaults and rape. Every rape center in the area does not know how an fbi assigns a detective in rape and when your raped on federal property that is who has to do the job. The rape is my ptsd moment and some pervert harassed me exposing himself within 3 blocks of building to get counseling. This parolee pervert is suppose to be on the streets and I am suppose to stay at home because we cannot get video footage of the building to put this person away. I am traumatized daily grinding my teeth praying for justice but ada 1990 title II law judges break. I need an attorney to properly make my case in assault in civil law for restitution because the police did not properly prosecute criminals for restitution.
my case was denied because it was just my word against the company word, you got to have prove.. So I went back to that mall and found about 12 different code violation in just the bathrooms alone reported them on that so maybe it will cost them thousands of dollars to get the place fixed up
I worked for the Florida Court for 4 years and was fired when I had a seizure. The EEOC sounds great , but as I and others have found out that they have a good name but their work is a different thing. I wound up going to court ( my employer) in the court. Guess who the judge found in favor of? Yes , himself (the court) . Where is American justice?
does anybody know howto fill out the TOPS transportation form? Also, collge gives you a free room, exra timeontestsand papers,turoring, a proxy, a lot of things ..i can go on and on....and u can use a computer if you have carpal tunneland it is wriiten test....letme know if you need hlep...sorry spelling
Barbara Boronda I’m very sorry for your experience but your job is violating your rights, if you have a union contact them along with your chain of Comand in email as well as verbally and don’t stop there contact your human resource department. If they still continue to violet your rights contact the EEO office. Employers Will continue to violate company policies along with the law as long as they get away with it and people are afraid to speak up for themselves because they are afraid of losing their jobs but it only hurts fellow employees and future employees along with yourself and keep in mind that there are time frames for filing a EEOC claim.
the work floor What do they do on the work floor Boronda? Do they have nice polished floors and dust/dirt on them? Hell for all we know getting on the "work floor" requires you to cross multiple cattle grids. enlighten us. I'm assuming you left out the job for a reason.
@@wolu9456 i work apparel at kroger and they keep losing my doctors notes and they consider a cane a weapon and i have the tile floor and the carpet floor and the outside sidewalk and the stairs to deal with with a broken foot
I was diagnosed with PTSD this year (not a vet) and coincidentally fired shortly thereafter for the first time ever at 40 years old; this was ironically from an Army environment (no, really). My family (at a geographic distance -- I have no support network nearby) convinced me that I was not in the shape to file an EEOC complaint even if a lawyer encouraged me to pursue a case. I had to put all my energy into trying to find a job in spite of this misfortune since I was so desperate to restore health insurance. By luck and timing, I finally got a job before I went belly-up broke, but I'd drained all my savings or whatever resources I had which I also had to direct to outstanding medical bills. I owe taxes next year too for taking a distribution but deferring the tax. If my elderly father were not around to keep me afloat during that time, it's very possible I would've become homeless. I was so grateful to return to work, restore my insurance, re-enstate my clearance level (hopefully), and have a path to a better future where I could heal and thrive again. Two months into the new project at a different Federal agency, I didn't consciously realize the open office "fishbowl" environment where I was working was overstimulating me to the point where my worst PTSD symptoms re-emerged for no reason at all (insomnia, increased heart rate, sweating, odd pains, weight loss, difficulty calming down). I have had these symptoms for years, but since I have not gotten proper treatment, I don't exactly know WHY my body starts reacting this way, even if I am not consciously worried about something. I (and many other colleagues without PTSD) expressed concern about the work environment, so at least I had the reassurance I wasn't completely crazy, uniquely uncomfortable, or a distinguished complainer. We tried to work as a group to request a little more flexibility for EVERYONE. That was dismissed and ignored. So, for the first time, I tried to make a reasonable accommodation request after researching it -- I wrote the request, outlined the symptoms and the disorder, proposed a few options but said I looked forward to discussing any available options or resources except I needed help determining them, and agreed to cooperate with any documentation or pull my doctor into the loop if needed. I work on a software development team under a Federal agency in the DC area; as such, I'm confident it has a policy or process for ADA accommodations (we're even working on making software that is more 508-compliant, how ironic is THAT?). But, my company's upper management ignored my request and did not take it seriously in spite of my attempts to follow up, assist in the process, or get information or an answer over several weeks. They moved me to another room, determined that was sufficient, and said they'd get back to me. My company has no HR and management says it never handled a request before (totally believable for their small size). It sounds like they made my immediate manager responsible for communicating with me (who HAS been supportive), but his leaders cut him out of the conversation or kept him in the dark (so who know's if the accommodation was discussed at all with the Agency above his level -- there's no trace and I've just been hanging on vague words). My doctor is not able to see me for another month unless someone else cancels and insurance or other barriers have kept reliable help or relief out of reach; it will be out of pocket again, further inhibiting getting continuous treatment. After weeks of worsening symptoms and no relief in sight from neither the medical/insurance system or from my workplace, I gave up and resigned after a few absences and another hit to my income, which doesn't help me either. I also feel too worn down to launch into a difficult, ambitious job search in spite of the urgency. I am so worn down from all these events. Our society is very glib about the notion of "speaking up if you need help" and to not feel alone, but my experience navigating this process -- getting hospitalized, becoming diagnosed, getting fired, being left out in the cold, turned away by gobs of recruiters after a long history of previously being able to choose my pick of jobs, having difficulty finding someone who can see me (that I can afford -- insurance doesn't cover much) on a schedule that works for THEM since mine has no flexibility -- has been filled with shut door after shut door. And we wonder why so many people with PTSD become so hopeless, they give up altogether (what a tragedy!). None of those people meant any harm or had malicious intent in my journey maneuvering the complexity of all of this, but it's disappointing that I haven't received much help or support, either, in spite of trying to do everything I can. Has anyone else gone through this and survived it? What made the difference that led to a breakthrough? I feel for any of you struggling out there and hope that YOU are able to get the help and support that YOU need (and humanly deserve). Everyone deserves a chance to thrive and prosper.
Hey there. I hope you're in a better situation now. I read your entire comment and it moved me. I'm sorry that you had to go through that experience and farce of a system that meant to serve you. Clearly there were loopholes that abled people didn't consider when writing laws for the disability community. I hope that one day the process is less taxing and stringent so you can get the reasonable accommodations that you need. I'm an OTA grad studying for the NBCOT, and watching this vid to be more educated in the ADA and how we treat our patients. I learned more from your comment as well so thank you for sharing. I hope things are better now.
First of all social services provides health insurance for no pay. It’s actually more problematic when you have low pay or a part time job.
I ama mentally disabled veteran and it took two White House inquiries to get weekly counseling with someone who refuses to forensically document to court over assaults and rape. Every rape center in the area does not know how an fbi assigns a detective in rape and when your raped on federal property that is who has to do the job. The rape is my ptsd moment and some pervert harassed me exposing himself within 3 blocks of building to get counseling. This parolee pervert is suppose to be on the streets and I am suppose to stay at home because we cannot get video footage of the building to put this person away. I am traumatized daily grinding my teeth praying for justice but ada 1990 title II law judges break. I need an attorney to properly make my case in assault in civil law for restitution because the police did not properly prosecute criminals for restitution.
my case was denied because it was just my word against the company word, you got to have prove.. So I went back to that mall and found about 12 different code violation in just the bathrooms alone reported them on that so maybe it will cost them thousands of dollars to get the place fixed up
Do campaign drive for TOWN VILLIAGE COMMUNITY CENTER,OKC,,,MAY AVE.WE'LL LOVE THE SUPPORT FOR NEW INFRASTRUCTURE.LET'S MAKE OUR SENIOR CITIZEN'S HAPPY
I worked for the Florida Court for 4 years and was fired when I had a seizure. The EEOC sounds great , but as I and others have found out that they have a good name but their work is a different thing. I wound up going to court ( my employer) in the court. Guess who the judge found in favor of? Yes , himself (the court) . Where is American justice?
I was attempting to return to work with restrictions. I did not kno of The ADA Process until a year later. Now my employer wants to remove me
Restriction and having a disability are two different things. An employer does not accommodate restrictions unless its work related.
+Tenesha Dozier How are they different? thanks
So we do not have to think of our own accommodations, they will give us suggestions?
does anybody know howto fill out the TOPS transportation form? Also, collge gives you a free room, exra timeontestsand papers,turoring, a proxy, a lot of things ..i can go on and on....and u can use a computer if you have carpal tunneland it is wriiten test....letme know if you need hlep...sorry spelling
my work refuses to go with my doctors note and they wont allow me to use my cane on the work floor
Barbara Boronda
Have you payed a visit to the EEOC yet?
If not, what are you waiting for?
Barbara Boronda I’m very sorry for your experience but your job is violating your rights, if you have a union contact them along with your chain of Comand in email as well as verbally and don’t stop there contact your human resource department. If they still continue to violet your rights contact the EEO office. Employers Will continue to violate company policies along with the law as long as they get away with it and people are afraid to speak up for themselves because they are afraid of losing their jobs but it only hurts fellow employees and future employees along with yourself and keep in mind that there are time frames for filing a EEOC claim.
Call disability Group the lawyer will look into your case
the work floor
What do they do on the work floor Boronda?
Do they have nice polished floors and dust/dirt on them?
Hell for all we know getting on the "work floor" requires you to cross multiple cattle grids.
enlighten us. I'm assuming you left out the job for a reason.
@@wolu9456 i work apparel at kroger and they keep losing my doctors notes and they consider a cane a weapon and i have the tile floor and the carpet floor and the outside sidewalk and the stairs to deal with with a broken foot
hi
That's fine for a govt agency, but what if you are even lucky enough to even have a job with a private company.?