Going for a job....the dilemma with MS

Wonderfulworld · Post by **Wonderfulworld** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 1:37 pm

I have been out of the labour market for 2.5 yrs. I can't work fulltime anymore due to MS fatigue but a job has come up that is 6-9 months' project half-time. I have all the qualifications and experience for it, and I think I'd enjoy it. But annoyingly it is a long commute away, over 1 hour and 2 buses each way. Not sure if I can do it but mulling over the application........

What do you all do re. interviews?

I have MS 12+ years now, you wouldn't know there was anything wrong with me to meet me, apart from one deaf ear. But there are times I have relapses so is it honest to apply for a project job? I would really love this job but I just never know when I'm going to relapse.....it's been 2.5 years since I had a relapse that neccesitated lying in bed, for most I'd be ok to work through it albeit needing a coffee or two to kick me into gear! But I am just so conflicted...do you tell employers/not tell them/arrghh!!

Post by **jimmylegs** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 1:43 pm

WW this is just me, but I don't think I would put it on the table in an interview. Stay positive, no relapses for you ;)

Vivianne766 · Post by **Vivianne766** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 1:48 pm

I used to work full time when I was OK like you are now.
Never told any one.
The economy slowed down so I lost my job. If I find a job now, I plan to relocated somewhere close to work. I am not as well as I used to be.
Also have a hard time driving.
Good luck to you, and to us all.

mrbarlow · Post by **mrbarlow** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 6:47 am

Dont tell them. Go for the interview and if they offer you the job then you go through medical screening.

Not sure about the USA but In Europe if they withdraw offer on medical grounds and its not with good solid evidence you will have em on disability discrimination evidence.

If you can do the job (with reasonable adjustments) and are the best candidate then the job should go to you.

By telling them before the offer you just give them an opportunity to come up with another excuse.

Wonderfulworld · Post by **Wonderfulworld** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 2:16 pm

Thanks JL, Vivianne 776 and MrBarlow.
Right, I hear you all and I won't bring it up at the interview (although the 'why did you leave your job' question might be a bit tricky!) but I'm still debating whether I can physically do it...the commute is long and I vowed I'd never commute like I used to but the part-time nature is more do-able.
Dither, dither dither............off to sleep on it and see how I feel when I wake up

Loobie · Post by **Loobie** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 6:37 am

Since you're still obviously RR, it's none of their damn business and if you have a relapse, just react to that. I'd go for it!

Wonderfulworld · Post by **Wonderfulworld** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 12:21 pm

Thanks Loobie

.
I slept on it and decided not to go for it. I'm sad about it as it was a job made for me in every aspect except its' location. I vowed to myself never to commute over 1 hour a day in total to any job again, and this job would have meant at least 2 hours' commute. Even though it was a half-time position, I just don't have the stamina anymore to add a commute onto a working day and emerge fairly ok the other side, if you know what I mean? Anti-fatigue meds did not work for me.
So I'm letting this opportunity pass.
Hopefully something else will come my way soon, and much nearer to me.
Thanks guys for all your input, it was encouraging!

Post by **jimmylegs** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 12:32 pm

i'm sure you made the right decision, ww, you know what's best for you!

itaska21 · Post by **itaska21** » Sat May 07, 2011 4:34 pm

Hi there, I commend you on the decision you made. I know it was hard. I am a dental hygienist, and besides the herniated disks in all 3 areas of my spine, I have a hard time staying focused and multi-tasking during my appointments with patients. I recently had taken a job with a periodontist who is also an associate professor at the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston where I went to school. I am very passionate about my profession, and I'd like to teach there when I finish my master's degree. That was the key reason I took the job. I was anxious to learn from her. As it turned out, I could'nt manage my time well enough. Treating my patient, doing my clinical notes, and writing up the dr. letters in the (1) hr. appt. slot made it very difficult to finish the appt. on time with everything done to her specifications, as well as my own. She uses (2) separate programs for dr. letters and clinical notes and radiographs, which in my opinion was counter-productive. At long last, I resigned. I went into the position knowing she was hard to work for and she should have a revolving door installed for employees. I learned some truths about myself that I was'nt ready to accept. I'm not the same person anymore. The knowledge is there, but the ability to use it efficiently is'nt.

Filmmaker · Post by **Filmmaker** » Sat May 07, 2011 6:08 pm

WW, you made the right decision and I hope you find a job closer and passionnating. I find it very important to keep an activity as much as possible and not let this damn MS take all our life from us....