My 'E' was under control for some time, but now seems to be returning with a vengence. I have been working (still am, for now) as a teacher assistant, and the 'good' news is that my position working with students with special needs REQUIRES at least two in the classroom at all times (that's why there are three of us there, to periodically relieve each other). Looking at it from that standpoint there seems to be an element of 'situational appropriateness' here, you know, a person with ONE 'condition' helping to watch and CAN be watched around persons with SIMILAR conditions. The other good news is that only ONCE has a petit mal seizure occurred on the job so far. The bad news is that since the beginning of this school year, there seems to be a possible campaign to rid me from the position, now that the bosses know about the 'E' out of the bag. Being single and adopted at birth (therefore having no familial support system to fall back upon), I have to ask: What do other part-time epileptics do for careers? With the economy tanking from the seventh to the eighth level of 'pardition', who would even consider applying for disability, let alone going back to school for the simple 15,000-20,000 dollar-a-year jobs that seem to be leaving? What is one to do???

Guineapig I can relate to work issues that you make mention of but what I would like to know for starters is how did your boss find out about your epilepsy. I am asuming that you did not mention anything about it. Do you know who else knew about it?? Because that is a serious breach of the privacy act if it was from someone who was not ment to leak that information. If your meds have kept you relatively controled there is no need for them to be worried and if you do have a siezure as you say there are otehr people there who can help. I would understand their concern if you were on your own but there is more than one all the time so there is no reason. You said you have had only one petit mal during your course of employment. Was it even a noticable one? Or is it only you who knows that you had it? Make sure you are up to date on the current anti discrimination laws as well as the policy on work place harrassment and bullying, because if there is that push to get you out that can fall into bullying which is also illegal. Make it clear to your employer that you have lots of knowledge on this subject which could be invaluable for working with special needs kids.
I have a career myself in a large retail supermarket as a service supervisor. I work most nights and it is my job to close shop and orgainise the checkout staff. I have been with the company for 6 years and during that time I have had 4 siezures, 1 complex partial and 3 grand mals. I had problems with one person who tried to use my condition to undermine my authority with all the checkout operators and I followed the bullying and privacy policy to halt her in her tracks. So I would give them some serious consideration for possibile use. Because most work places hate having their name linked to a breach of those laws. Just drop a few words like "harrasment" discrimination" and "bullying" and if you feel that it is very concentrated maybe start keepign a diary of events and situataions and how they made you feel. After all exccess emotional stress can cause siezures and you don't want that, well I know I wouldn't.
HOpe this has helped and good luck, if you need to chat again let me know
Lori

I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this. I have a question about being adopted at birth having to do with not having a familial support system???? I'm also single, was adopted at birth, and don't have a financial support system (biological or adoptive), but have a family.... just curious as to what being adopted at birth had to do with this??? Haven't thought of adoption from that standpoint before, and am genuinely curious.
I'm a full-time nurse, and have had several seizures at work over the years.... once you're hired, as long as it's not a safety issue-or situation that can't be dealt with without undue expense and hardship for the company, health problems cannot be used to legally get rid of you. If you feel that they are using the seizures to get rid of you, I'd look at finding an employment lawyer- there must be some that will talk with you free at first, then decide if it's a case they're willing to take. And if you do end up having to find another job, try checking out a nearby chapter of an epilepsy society/association.... many have 'ins' with local employers who are willing to hire those with seizures.

[This message has been edited by neuronz-on-the-fritz (edited 08-24-2003).]

I guess I've been lucky because I haven't ran into this problem with an employer (I'm not working now). I was even hired at a business where I broke their cordless telephone during a complex-partial before getting the job. I didn't realize I'd broken it until months later I asked whatever happened to that cordless phone and I was told, uh, Kelly, you broke it (in my mind at the time, I thought I handed it off to someone, I actually held it out and dropped it).

Anyway, I don't see how they can use this against you and as others suggested, you can let them know that you won't tolerate any attempt to run you out of your job on the basis of having epilepsy.

I too was adopted at birth and have wonderful supporting adopted parents(love them!!) i am not single, but i am married w/ 2 kids. times are very hard right now. i am kind of dealing with what u are going thru right now too. i am applying for disability- i worked all those years, i pray i get it. i cant drive, my seizures are also starting up again. it makes no sense that having seizures would be a prejudce thing- its awful, i feel so bad when ever somebody writes about what the awful abuse they have recieved. my only thing is I have lost a couple of friends because they didnt think I would be 'sick' so long. oh well- it hurt, but i cant change people and i dont want them for friends anyways, then. i wish i could give u answers. i just wanted to respond to give you some support and hugs *((((()))))))))))))

'Neuronz', 'Violarose2', and others, thank you for your responses and show of concern and understanding. Neuronz, some of my functions on the job (such as helping to lift disabled students) IS a matter of concern, but in the eyes of the heirarchical bureaucracy, why let a person go from their job based on reasons beyond anyone's control (and hence possibly be taken to court, litigation and allegations made and all) IF you could fabricate any pattern of substandard work performance and confirm and document it between numerous parties? I see a potential pattern of CYA (cover your expletive) brewing here, and little if any system of support or advocacy going on here, but what could one really do? I've even asked to be placed in another different position away from the kids, not climbing latters or anything, and at least for now, I'm getting that unusual 'warming up' ('we want you, we need you') from the highest up, while the second (and maybe the third)down the chain play 'BAD COP'. I don't CARE about losing the position, should it happen: I would be willing to push a broom if I have to, no problem! They are not, however, going to come out and say, "You're a risk on this job." They know better! THAT is the LAW! So they weave a different web!

The adoption thing: That seems to go beyond the scope of Healthboards, but sufficed to say my 'parents' have broken up too many times to count, and they rarely call me: I call them. At times one of them considers me when I'm in a jam (kinda like a form of penance to soothe their conscience, sometimes), but any other time we talk about THINGS, NEVER each other, or how we feel. The other has lived and will live out a life of full-time negativity and dependance on anyone that they can bleed from. I had a goal, back before this seizure thing came back, to try to lead a productive and self-sufficient life better than (at least)one of those 'parents' did. I eat better than I used to, I drink more water than I used to, I exercise more, I'm closer to my ideal weight than I used to be, I RARELY if ever drink, stopped ALL forms of smoking about three years ago! So while I haven't managed to double my income with my bachelor's degree (heck, the economy is tanking such that those who WERE making 75,000-100,000 are grabbing up what remains of the 25,000/yr., so why even worry about advancement?), and oftimes my introvertiveness prohibits me from making effective support systems ('striking hands in pledge') I still like myself and where I've managed to get (just hope to stay there!!!). Thanks again for your show of concern!

[This message has been edited by guineapig (edited 08-24-2003).]

After loosing several jobs due to E I finally went to DVR and got job counceling. I decided to go into computer programming/systems analysis. Computers are not afraid of my seizures and won't freak out if I have one. I can not hurt a computer If I have a seizure. The computer can't hurt me if I have a seizure. I went to a 2 year technical college and got a degree in computer programming and after 5 years work experince was making 75,000/year. I think it was the best decision I ever made.

That's really sad guineapig, that your family has been that way.... thanks for answering the question! About the job- it think it really stinks that they'd even think about losing a good employee over seizures- the situation you're in (with the kids) doesn't seem like it should be an issue....how many people out there could have strokes, heart attacks, throw a blood clot from their leg- and on and on.... there are so many 'what ifs' and CYA things going on... seems they should be glad to have a good employee who has a treatable condition.... I hope things work out that it's a doable situation (that they don't make it so lousy to be there that staying isn't worth it)- I also think it's good for kids to know that someone with a disorder can work and be productive (not that you wear a neon sign, but if they should happen to see a seizure!!).... it's a much better example than chasing them out the door....