It’s a question that will become more and more intense as time goes on. And, as we sink deeper into this recession, those of us with Epilepsy have more to grapple with: do we tell our employer about our Epilepsy. Or, better yet, can someone help me kick myself for telling him or her in the first place.
Here’s the kicker…if you are out of a job, and you are applying. I know there are tens-of-thousands who are. Be creative. DON’T look at the traditional jobs. You know you can’t manage those. So, look at jobs you can do from home and online (but be careful of scams). There are tons of them out there! And, keep your eyes and ears open for any and all opportunities.

So, what do you do? Really…you have to do what’s best for you officephoto If you do have a job, make sure you are doing the absolute best you can in that job. Don’t make your Epilepsy a constant issue, even if your employer knows about it. Doctor’s appointments are one thing, but try to be in conspicuous about ‘bad’ days and difficult episodes.
If you do decide to tell an employer who doesn’t know, provide them with some information from the Epilepsy Foundation. Great stuff! I know I continue to say that. Or, just email them the link to the website. Readers I’ve heard from tend to be losing jobs during down times. “We are the easy ones to let go, to target because they can call it corporate downsizing or cuts due to the economic downturn,” said Dolly, one newbie to BrainThunders. She lost her teaching job in the Midwest.

    You will hear both sides. Those advocates who suggest flat-out honesty, and those who are in favor of keeping your medical situation private. I was one of those people who told. Frankly it was pretty tough to keep things private. I was in a coma in early 2003, so I had to take medical leave from my corporate job. I had a mysterious illness, I was left with a neurological disease that few people in my company had ever dealt with, let alone had ever even uttered the word…*%$#EPILEPSY#$%*. But, at the time, they were quite tolerant, but back then, business was good.