I had a brain tumor removed 6 years ago and since then I am considered to be epileptic. I do not see epilepsy as an illness merely a condition so when joining the company I did not say I was epileptic when completing the document about "health", I said I was in good health. I have only ever had 2 seizures at work but managed to keep those 2 under control, I discussed this with my Neurologist and my medication was altered, since then I have not had another seizure. My work did what they call… read more
According to the 2010 Census the US Government listed epilepsy as a handicap for hiring purposes and I've been told some people with epilepsy are qualified for full Social Security Disability.
I worked in the NHS for 25 years ,with children in clinics .From about 1998 until I retired my partial seizure frequency worsened The Occupational Health Consultant made my department & myself aware of the Equality Act ( not sure what the US equivalent is sorry ) The department had to make 'reasonable adjustments' to my role .Your company should do this for you My department did to an extent but my line manager involved HR & they were useless .I was glad I could retire at 60 .Good luck
@A MyEpilepsyTeam Member do you have 2 or more seizures in your lifetime? if so, you are an epileptic. and a 'epileptic type seizure' is a just 'you have epilepsy but a eeg will know for sure'. there is partials (aka focal onset) and generalized (aka generalized onset) and unknown seizures. if you want more info... heres a link... and https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-seizures
The ugly and familiar word "incapable"
(the phrases they support and create)
This is another reason I appriciate a good doctor.
( They dare to question the possibility of a misplaced label.)
Try contacting the epilepsy foundation of america as well.
Good luck !
Thanks Christine, I'm from South Africa so I will check out what we have with regards "Equality Act"! My HR Department is just as useless, they do not even understand the difference between Stress and Pressure!!!!