“You’re Fired.”

Lizz — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:01:40 +0000

Well, this is one of those days that I come here to post and I wish I had a positive, uplifting one for you…perhaps this will turn out to be just that. Today, I was fired from my job because of my inability to come to work regularly because of my disease. Now, my employer is simply blaming it on an attendance issue, but they are all aware that I had a “condition” which was keeping me from working regularly. I’ve been having issues since December with a Crohn’s flare or a pouch problem-my docs and I are still trying to figure it out. I had a barium study done Friday, so hopefully that will lend some wisdom to us on that matter.

I feel relieved, bittersweet, I think. I will miss the money, and some of the work, but it was a horrible environment for me to be in, quite honestly. I loved the people I worked with, but the energy was all stress. When I am completely honest, I just couldn’t do the job because I was too tired a lot of the time when I was there to function mentally. I forget so quickly how much I’ve been through and what my body has to go through to just function every day when I feel well-I work as hard as I can and I see my “old” self come though. However, those days, honestly, kick my ass and I end up having to sleep for 4 days nearly without interruption to recover from it. It’s depressing and frustrating to me that I cannot do certain things that others can, and that’s why I’m really upset. I’m also worried about what my fiance (soon to be husband) and I will do financially, and what I will do about health insurance.
On the other hand, this opens a lot of doors for me. I have more time to help out with CCFA stuff, and to finally make it a priority to find a career, not just a job for a paycheck, that I can do and that I will enjoy.
Life with Crohn’s and a J-pouch is not easy, but I’m glad to have it.

These posts might also help out:

November 10, 2009 -- Just Dance! (8)
December 31, 2009 -- The New Year’s Curse (10)
September 16, 2009 -- Plaid Pantry Denies Bathroom to Crohn’s Customer (9)
July 15, 2009 -- Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (12)

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Lizz — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:13:57 +0000

So, at every previous job since I’ve had IBD I’ve been very vocal about my disease. It was practical because I was sick at the time, and when people asked me questions, the advocate in me burst forth! Since I’ve been in remission and managed to get a job in Portland, OR in this crazy economy, I’ve decided that it no longer requires mentioning, or for that matter, broadcasting. I tend to get up on my educational soap box when it comes to IBD, which is a good thing, and something I will certainly continue to do, however, I think many of us have learned all too well that even the most empathetic and understanding employer will, to some extent, always see your disease as part of who you are, and therefore, as a limitation. I’d rather my work speak for itself. I’m working as a paralegal, which basically means I do a lot of writing that the attorneys sign their names to. It’s okay because I adore any chances to write and get paid for it I’d rather keep professional courtesies, well, professional. I am a very open, friendly person and I definitely let that come out in my job, but I am also trying to work on that part of me that for so long made Crohn’s a part of my identity. It doesn’t define me and I no longer want it to, so I’ve made a real effort to modify that. It’s easy to not complain when you are in remission and not suffering or in pain. So, for the past few weeks, I’ve overheard our secretary talk about her mother’s “colitis”. I kept my mouth shut until today when another paralegal started talking to her about a friend of hers who had Crohn’s that was airlifted to the hospital. At that point my IBD alarm went off and I thought, “Okay, I know a lot about this…maybe I can offer some helpful words.” So, without an intro of, “I have that too!” I just asked if the girl was on any meds. Sounded like she’d unsuccessfully tried everything, including Humira, which was my savior. I had nothing more to offer, so I hushed. The secretary then started talking to me about it more and I said, “I have an interest in GI disorders and know quite a bit about it, so I was curious.” I was actually able to make some suggestions to the secretary about her mother, she then asked me, “So do you know someone with it?” My reply, a smile and a, “Yes.” I then went back to my work.

So what is your policy regarding IBD in the workplace? It’s certainly nothing to be ashamed of, and I’m oddly proud of it, but I’ve lived and learned and am, for now, deciding to remain a mystery

These posts might also help out:

November 10, 2009 -- Just Dance! (8)
March 15, 2010 -- “You’re Fired.” (15)
February 25, 2010 -- Commenter with Questions (8)
February 8, 2010 -- A little insight on my insides. (12)

J-pouch Life » jobs

“You’re Fired.”

These posts might also help out:

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

These posts might also help out: