Posted by Dave W (12.10.85.65) on July 26, 1999 at 11:12:11:
In Reply to: Loosing your Job because of CH posted by Marina Rennicks on July 26, 1999 at 10:13:54:
Marina,
I'm guessing from your e-mail address that you are in Ireland, so my experience is really not pertinent for you but the feeling behind it is.
In the US, we have a law called the "Family Medical Leave Act" that entitles us to time off for illness of any type without adverse employment effect (the law applies to companies with 100 or more employees only). They don't have to pay us, but they cannot take job action because of illness.
Another law, the Americans with Disabilities Act, prohibits discrimination against anyone with a chronic disease that limits normal life activities (CH applies), and forces employers to accommodate us in reasonable ways, such as allowing us to work late to make up for the hour we spend curled up under our desks.
The spirit behind each of these laws is that we have an extra burden to bear, and employers who refuse to help us bear it are just plain wrong. Just because you can't "see" our disease doesn't mean it isn't a disability. It just comes and goes, that's all.
Good luck, and Pain Free Days!!
Dave
PS -- If I guessed right and you are in Ireland, send me an e-mail. I spent some time there a couple of years ago, and I miss it!! My brother lived in Blackrock.