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Answers > What Can a Person Do About Work, and Epilepsy?

What Can a Person Do About Work, and Epilepsy?

by Faces of Epilepsy on January 13, 2012

I have epilepsy, and I had a seizure over a month ago at work. The plant manager said If I keep having them I couldn't work there. The only way I was able to staay was because I had a doctor's permission slip. I work in a machine shop (so I can see their point of view) but, I highly doubt I will be able to find a job with similar pay (I lucked out with this one, 10 yrs. ago) and my bills are reliuant upon my current income. Am I shit out of luck?
P.S> I has a seiz, last night at work
I meant to put this in health section (diseases)
I think, that if you aren't allowed to make a living in your current field (your current job) the government should base disability on that income.....greedy bastords!
Some expenses I can't cut out. ie; child support. It's hard to make it right now, forget about a lower income.

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if you have epilepsy and recieving disability pay can you work

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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

SAM1981 January 5, 2011 at 10:44 pm

You should see a doctor and make sure you are ok to be working in your field. As an employer, I would be hesitant to keep you on because it sounds like you could really get injured. You need to cut out some of your expenses because it seems very likely to me that you will be needing to find a new position.

Marguerite January 5, 2011 at 11:21 pm

I know there are epileptics who have specially trained dogs. These dogs can sense or smell a seizure coming before you can. They pull you aside, let you know, so you can lie down and be ready for it. You will also have a few moments that you can use to shut down machinery, etc. before the seizure arrives.

I believe if you had a service dog like this, it would help you with employment.

Biran_Sefar January 6, 2011 at 12:08 am

First and foremost, consult your doctor. There are many medications you can take to reduce the frequency and severity of your seizures… and perhaps to even eliminate them altogether. If your epilepsy is resistant to medication, then you need to consider some hard choices.

Next, if your epilepsy is resistant to standard medical treatments, then you may want to request to be assigned to a work duty at your job that is less hazardous. Also, if you live in a state where it is permitted, then you may want to consider medical marijuana. There are many methods of ingestion that provide the medicinal relief without the high: for example, tinctures. Medical marijuana, more commonly referred to as cannabis, has proven itself quite useful in treating epilepsy symptoms.

If your symptoms find no relief in either standard treatments or cannabis, then you may need to start thinking seriously about a career change. While your living standards may suffer during this transition, try to stay positive. You will get through this. Consider it an opportunity to receive additional education and/or retraining. You may discover that you’re on your way to an even better job than you have right now.

Now, in the event that your symptoms do not abate, that subsequently you lose your job, and that educational and employment opportunities do not avail themselves to you; you may be feeling quite depressed and overwhelmed about receiving disability. First of all, you, like every other worker in the U.S., has paid into the system. Disability was specifically created to help care for those workers who, due to accident or illness, were no longer able to work. It also takes care of those who were never able to work. Despite the perception that it is a gravy train, disability is not that easy to get and/or continue receiving. You can learn more about the process and receive your application at your local social security office. Now, for the big caution: do not be disappointed, when your application is denied. It may very likely be denied several times. Even the most severely disabled persons routinely get rejected when they apply for disability. While it is easy to get discouraged, don’t give up. Go ahead and start applying. Then, after you have applied once or twice, consult a disability attorney: they are quite expert at navigating the system and they will get you the disability income that you need. And, their fees are typically quite reasonable given the services they provide.

In the meantime, as your circumstances change, consult the court that approved the child support and request a modification of the payments that is more reflective of your level of income.

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