What’s in your best interest
Telling family, friends, or even someone you are falling in love with that
you have multiple sclerosis (MS) is one thing. These are all people you know
and (hopefully) trust. Talking about your multiple sclerosis at work is
another.
You need to prepare carefully before you tell your employer. Get facts about
the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), and learn what kinds of
accommodations have worked well for other people with MS. Your local National
MS Society office can help. State government agencies and healthcare facilities
offer vocational rehabilitation services and evaluation to help you find the
right job or help you keep an existing one.
What’s the last thing you should do
Quit right away. You may be advised to go on Social Security Disability
and stop worrying. Friends, family, and even some doctors will say that the
stress of working will be too much with MS. But that’s not necessarily true.
For some it is better to keep working, both psychologically and physically.
Don’t quit out of fears about what will happen to you later. People with MS can
be just as successful in the workplace as anyone else.
Source: Some tips and facts on this page are based on information
from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Their comments are based on
professional advice, published experience, and expert opinion, but do not
represent individual therapeutic recommendations or prescription. For specific
information and advice, consult your personal physician.
