Hi Susan
Forgive me for placing this in your forum but it feels most relevant. I am also an OT and I find it hard to give myself advice. I really don't know what to do at this point because I think they are gearing up to fire me. I read through all the disability and teachers forum entries but only ended up feeling even more depressed.
I was diagnosed just after I graduated from OT school in 2000. My first couple jobs were in healthcare but I eventually changed to a school setting for easier schedules and less physically demanding. As the demands working in education have steadily increased over the years I sometimes think healthcare wouldn't be as hard now.
Anyway, about five years ago I bit the bullet and applied for accommodations.
This is my latest dilemma: bottom line I am unable to keep up with the work load and they are very clear about one's expectations.
Of course I 'look so good' other than a slight limp but there are a zillion symptoms every day that affect my ability to do my job in the time required.
Worst symptom: numbness in my fingers. VERY difficult helping kids with handwriting or clothing fasteners or picking up papers or holding on to anything without dropping it or TYPING MY PROGRESS NOTES and IEP reports. (An adaptive keyboard is one of my accommodations but it is barely worth it for the other difficulties it causes.)
Very sorry for the long post but this is actually a condensed version. My question is this: I cannot fathom any job that I would be able to keep up with when every single thing I do is at a turtle's pace. (I take many many meds for symptoms but they only go so far.)
Adding to my insane fears is that I have always been the 'breadwinner' due to my husband in a low-paying job. he has been out of work over two years and is himself applying for disability! How will I pay for health care without insurance?
Thank you for your insight.
Forgive me for placing this in your forum but it feels most relevant. I am also an OT and I find it hard to give myself advice. I really don't know what to do at this point because I think they are gearing up to fire me. I read through all the disability and teachers forum entries but only ended up feeling even more depressed.
I was diagnosed just after I graduated from OT school in 2000. My first couple jobs were in healthcare but I eventually changed to a school setting for easier schedules and less physically demanding. As the demands working in education have steadily increased over the years I sometimes think healthcare wouldn't be as hard now.
Anyway, about five years ago I bit the bullet and applied for accommodations.
This is my latest dilemma: bottom line I am unable to keep up with the work load and they are very clear about one's expectations.
Of course I 'look so good' other than a slight limp but there are a zillion symptoms every day that affect my ability to do my job in the time required.
Worst symptom: numbness in my fingers. VERY difficult helping kids with handwriting or clothing fasteners or picking up papers or holding on to anything without dropping it or TYPING MY PROGRESS NOTES and IEP reports. (An adaptive keyboard is one of my accommodations but it is barely worth it for the other difficulties it causes.)
Very sorry for the long post but this is actually a condensed version. My question is this: I cannot fathom any job that I would be able to keep up with when every single thing I do is at a turtle's pace. (I take many many meds for symptoms but they only go so far.)
Adding to my insane fears is that I have always been the 'breadwinner' due to my husband in a low-paying job. he has been out of work over two years and is himself applying for disability! How will I pay for health care without insurance?
Thank you for your insight.
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