Who to tell?

[softballgirl7]

Hi, I am new to this site...actually, I'm pretty new to MS too. I was recently diagnosed & was wondering if I should tell my principal and/or colleagues. I was in the hospital for a week last year during school, and everyone was bombarding me with tons of questions. I'm a somewhat private person, but I'm tired of lying by saying "We don't know what's wrong...it just went away."

I was wondering if it would be worth it to tell my principal. Any suggestions?

[dontstopbelieving]

who to tell

im new to ms too i was diagnosed about a month ago, im a very private person as well. I was diagnosed this summer an im about to go into my sophmore year in college, i wasnt sure who to tell either and i was really nervous I thought I would be able to handle everything on my own inluding injections, everything, even though i was hours away from my support system (my parents). My mom called my school before I could tell her no and she talked to a nurse about my situation. She was told that one of my school administrators (the head nurse) actually has ms too! We set up a meeting and i went to meet with her last week. It was actually relieving. She was the only person ive ever met who has ms and it made me feel hopeful to see how good she was doing. She gave me her personal number and she was so supportive about everything she even said that when i need to get blood drawn she can do it for me or if i ever need help with my injections, advice, or anything shes there. I still am going to keep everything pretty secret because I do cherish my privacy but it was nice to know im not alone at school. Sometimes a little more support is needed even if you dont know it.

[mfog023]

I have found that in my current district my principal, assistant principals and colleagues are very supportive overall so I decided to share my diagnosis. Luckily there are 2 other teachers at my school who have a disability, not MS, who helped pave the path for me to be open. This is not a decision I would have made in my prior district.

[heliotrope]

It couldn't hurt - in the right setting. I've seen doctor's appointments and other such things used against a teacher (especially by annoyed parents). On the other hand, there are times when you're going to need the extra help.

I think the major issue is making sure the principal understands clearly what you're dealing with. It might be worthwhile to outline the issues you want to address with him or her, what you want them to know about your MS (and not leaving them with that they think about MS), and who you want them to discuss it with.

Disabilites are touchy in a school setting. If you feel comfortable, I'd say go for it. If not, maybe wait and see?

[ME610]

I say that has to be your decision. I was diagnosed mid year, so everyone knew what was going on with me and I openly shared what was going on with my symptoms etc. My principal let me park in the handicapped spot and wanted to send me home early on a few occasions.

Once I was diagnosed, my neuro suggested that I transfer to a school with AC... he wrote me a letter and my school district had to transfer me to a school with AC... it took a lot of work to move schools, but in the end I ended up in a much better school (better test scores, supportive parents etc)... I immediately shared with the principal, assistant principal and nurse my diagnosis. They were nothing but supportive. I waited to share with fellow teachers on an "as needed basis"... I didn't want to be defined by my diagnosis.

This is my third year and I have shared with many staff members, most are surprised... they never would have guessed. Once they know they have been very supportive. My staff is not very good at keeping secrets, so I don't know who knows through the grapevine, but I have had no negative effects of telling anyone.

I have not however, shared with parents. I am the Reading Specialist in an elementary school, so I don't have a classroom... they don't need to know anyway.

**Post broken into paragraphs by Moderator for easier reading. Many people with MS have visual difficulties that prevent them from reading large blocks of print.**