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understanding epilepsy

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Posted 1/3/2005 6:08 AM (GMT 0)
 

  I need to get pamplets on Epilepsy so my family can really understand it better. Does anyone know how I can go about getting some imformation so my family can get a better understanding? Could sure use your help. Thanks  Mary              

Posted 1/3/2005 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
try2bhappy,

Jen has some great information pamphlets for you but I'm going to add my 2 cents:

 

There are still so many people that are still uneducated about this topic.

Some people still think that if you have epilepsy, you're possessed by satin.

 

We have to continue to do more to educate the public about epilepsy or seizure conditions because we're still viewed as outcasts or bad people (possessed by satin).

 

The general public are basically SCARED of us, if we have a seizure in front of them, they will be embarrassed and won't know what to do. 

 

Did you know that it is a proven fact that epilectics are generally better employees? So employers should be more than willing to hire an epileptic. (unless it's really severe)

They have better attendance because they think they're being watched by their superiors who are expecting them to take lots of sick days.

 

They work harder and have a better production rate for the same reason. Everyone is just waiting for you to screw up.

But they're still outcasts, Everbody thinks the're different but actually they're more compssionate.

 

 

Randy (Ontario, Canada)

 
Posted 1/4/2005 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
Randy, you are so right. When I was able to work I never missed any time. I was always willing to work over time. If I worked a double shift I worked just as hard on that second shift. But I was like that before I had seizures only much more aware of it after I started having seizures. I have not been able to work for over 2 years. I did try three part time jobs but once you have a seizure at work they find a very legal way to keep you from returning. The last place was an Adult Foster Care Home.They let me go because of my seizures but they gave another reason. It was a really awesome place. This I call poetic justice, with in one month of not working there the state came in at 6 A.M and all the residents had to be placed in different facilties by 6 P.M. that night.The reasons they gave in the paper and on the news could be taken as very bad or just a paper error.I felt bad for the residents but not the owner.I am just really hurt by my family for not being there for me or my husband. Even my son is not around for alittle moral support. My mom is 83 years old so I can give her some slack but my sisters are just ignorent. I am waiting to start getting Social Security Disability any time now. Who know at this Epileptic Clinic they may just find what meds will work for me or even surgery may help. Thaks alot for listening. Some times I jus got to give my husband a break from my frustration.Again thank you for listening. Mary
Posted 1/4/2005 4:57 AM (GMT 0)
try2bhappy,

Just another thought:

 

 

I don't know where you're from but I'm from Canada and as per the Human Rights Code of Canada, It is illegal to fire or not hire an employee with a disability or seizure condition. This is a form of descrimination and is not tolerated. Especially if you are already working there for some time with no problems.

The law states that the employer must provide "adequate" accomodations for the employee even if it includes making necessary adjustments to the work area or furniture/equipment, even if this means sending the employee for neuro/psyc testing to determine what you can/can't do.

That way it is documented and the employer can determine what modifications are required for your job, or necessary modifications to your job description.

This only proves again that there are so many people out there from the "old school" who still think that if you have epilepsy or a seizure condition, you are a bad person or possessed by the devil.

The only way the employer can get arount this is if they can PROVE that the disabled employee is a danger to themselfs or others like a heavy equipment operator or airline pilot etc OR if they can PROVE that the job has become redundant.

Up here in Canada, an employer can face stiff fines for discriminating or even jail time.

I would not however recommend taking them to court because they will get a good lawer and find a loop hole to get out of the charge BUT they shoud be reported to the Department of Labour or threaten to go to the media and then let the cards fall where they may.

I talk from experience as my employer of over 29 years descriminated against me but since I work for the Canadian Government, I knew the proper chanels to go through and after a 4 year fight, I won the battle, they terminated my job and put me on termination with full pay until Feb/05 and then DISABILITY insurance after that for 2 years at 75% of my full pay and then medical retirement 'til age 65 and then my pension. So they're paying me to stay home.

Randy (ontario)

Posted 1/4/2005 7:31 AM (GMT 0)
Randy here in the U.S.A. they have the American Disability Act. When I started havinn seizures I was working at a place that was very accomodating to my needs.I could not drive,work alone or operate heavy equipment. I also could not transfer any residents alone. I went 6 months without a seizure and decided I wanted to do home care again. Thank God when I had my next seizure I was not driving. A different corperation took over where I had been working the only supposedly openings they had were for midnights. That was one of my other restrictions was not to work midnights plus by law they only had to have one employee on midnights. I really blew that. And yes it is against the law not to hire you for a Disability here if you can do the job.One place I worked sent me a letter saying when I no longer had seizures they would be more then happy to hire me back. I did go see a lawyer and they were not discriminating against me. I will know in the next couple of weeks on a hearing date to get Social Security Disability. Once I start getting that and get my seizures so they are only once a week. Then I would love to work just one or two days a week. I have know idea when I am going to have a seizure. And you are so right when you say people are from the old school.They think you are a freak once they see you have one. I just prayer that this new clinic I am going to will find some meds that work and wont have to do surgery. They did start me on Zonegran and today will be my fourth day not in a roll but heck in the past two months it went from three to four a week then every day two to three thats why I was reffered to this clinic so when I go 24 hrs. without one I am so happy. It is nice to talk to people that understand.FYI when I was a little girl people thought cancer was contagious. And they already medically new it was not.
Thanks again for listening . Mary
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