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I told my immediate co-workers and boss but have not told the whole office. I really don't feel that there is any need. If I am having a relapse and can't walk good I tell anyone who asks that I have a bad muscle pull or something. They usually accept that pretty easily. Another reason I don't tell the whole office is that there was a woman that used to work there that also had MS and she was pretty bad off. I know I would get that sad, shocked, "your life is over" look from most and I don't need that kind of negativity. Believe me I already think about her often and don't need everyone else to overreact about my every symptom. Right now I'm doing pretty good but if that changes, maybe I will reconsider.

My coworkers know about my MS. They have been by my side for 8 years waiting for the definite DX, which I got in April of 08. The company does not know yet. I don't want it to jepordize my insurance coverage. I'm sure the day will come when I have to tell them.

CF

My bigger concern is applying for jobs. We have to disclose disabilities. The last job I went for it asked you to disclose on a page that would then be detatched. It wasn't and so I was asked about it in the interview. Hardly a fair process!

Totally fair if your an employer who has to pay higher rates for high dollar risk employees! Thats why I will never leave my job now! I was thinking about it but not now!

I know it sounds harsh but this is America. Maybe Barack will get us all free health care and raise our taxes to pay for it. I'll be laughing all the way to the wheel chair.

Sorry, Im a little synical right now.

i just had a job interview yesterday and told them about my being "sick". this is an organization that probably has the info recorded in my HR file, but the particular individuals i was interviewing with are not necessarily likely to have seen it. i framed it as a setback that had me off for 2 weeks before coming back to work on light duty, and that i had made it my personal goal over the last 2 years to exceed some of my pre-illness physical abilities. i'll let you know how it pans out.

Good Luck!\

good luck will keep my fingers and toes crossed for you

chris

thanks much, i'll keep yas posted

jimmylegs,
good luck with that interview. I am scared to lose my job. I decided not to tell any one but our owner. Luckily I was diagnosed after I had been here a year and had shown my abilities.
I dont think its fair we are required to disclose disabilities.

Good luck Jimmy.

Fiesta Frog - I am in England so it is free health care, no insurance issues to worry about. I was more cross because the form specifically stated that the information would not be passed to the interview panel before they chose a candidate for the job.

Mrs George,
Im in the US and we may have a new president next year who is big on free health care. Then it may not be a problem of disclosure. As of now, we work hard to find employment with insurance. Due to the high cost of MS treatment, they would be better off not to insure us! I dont think I will tell them. I want to tell my supervisor for the support and sick days I will need but I dont think it would be a good idea. Just one more reason I feel so alone in this.

PS
Today is the big day! in a few hours, I may have to change my signiture at the bottom to say

"dx 6/18/08"

hi all, i got the job, despite being overqualified. it is VERY low paying but i only wanted a shift per week for now. too much academic workload. no benefits or anything obviously, but i still have health care from school. not that i use it!
they normally wouldn't hire for one day per week so i guess that's good for something

congrats there jimmy....see i knew if i kept my fingers and toes crossed it would help.....lol...good to hear you got the postion..

chris

thanks much