april1848

Hello Friends,

Today was interesting. I've been at my new job for about a month now, and today I recieved an award for "going above and beyond and serving the community". I was very pleased, to say the least. This award was given by a big-wig, not my supervisor. My supervisor doesn't like me very much, but since she's on her way out, it doesn't bother me so much. She was not happy that I got this award, and to "punish" me, she told her boss (the woman who hired me) that I take too many bathroom breaks.

So the woman who hired me, Mrs. X, called me into her office. She began by congratulating me on the award, and the work I've been doing. Then she brought up the bathroom breaks, and asked if there was anything I wanted to tell her. I didn't know what to say. Then she said that my previous boss (the evil jerk) had told MANY people, including her and my new CEO, that I had MS. He told them this soon after my diagnosis, at a big meeting. I was floored, and very upset, but I held back tears. I told Mrs. X that I do have MS, and told her the real reason why I had left my last job. She started to cry, and hugged me--she actually held me for a few minutes! Mrs. X is around my age, and told me that we were kindred spirits, and have a lot in common.

Mrs. X then told me that she worked for the NMSS during college, and did an internship at an MS clinic. She has two aunts with MS, and she seems to know more about MS than I do! She told me that she and the CEO obviously knew I had it when I sent in my resume, but they didn't think it mattered at all--she said the CEO was thrilled to have me regardless. She told me to use the bathroom whenever I felt like it, she said that I can start my day an hour earlier if I want to, whenever I want to, without my supervisor's permission. She said that if I ever need another IV Steroid treatment, to feel free to take time off. She also said that if I'm ever having a bad MS day, that I was free to vent to her, her office is always open to me. She said that if I ever need any other accomodations, that they would be granted. She also said that if I ever need to call off sick, that I don't need to tell my supervisor why; Mrs. X will handle any problems that may arise with my boss.

She said she had noticed things, like my hands shaking, and my "withering" throughout the day, but that my work is outstanding, and she wouldn't have noticed it if she didn't already know. When I first started this job, the HR lady told me about the $3,000.00 deductible; she also told me that the company would pay $1,000.00 after I had met $2,000.00. She had told me that the CEO wanted this as an incentive to work there. Mrs. X told me today that she made this happen, because she knows very well how expensive MS drugs are. I was floored, still am.

So I disclosed today, and it was a very positive experience. It was a strange day. First I was ecstatic and proud about winning an award. Then I was hurt and angry that my boss made an issue of me peeing! Then I was touched, relieved, and thrilled with Mrs. X. After the experience I had at my last job, I just can't believe it. I had vowed that I'd never tell anyone at work. Turns out they knew before they hired me, and I can't tell you how happy and proud that made me.

I kind of feel like my faith in humankind has been restored a bit. I feel extremely blessed. I cried all the way home, thanking God over and over that everything I went through, all the bad stuff, brought me to this place, where my MS is no big deal and my work is appreciated. I just wanted to share this. It's a huge deal to me, and I am extremely happy! It feels nice to have self-confidence again too!

__________________
April
dx 9/07
Avonex started 11/07,
Stopped 4/10 due to no insurance.