Channeling your energy
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BY JANE AMMESON
Times Correspondent | Monday, November 26, 2007 | No comments posted.
Chronic illnesses often can make even the most routine tasks difficult.
They are conditions defined as medical problems that last a year or longer, limit what a person can do and require ongoing care.
"Traveling or heavy physical activity are really difficult for those with chronic illness," says Rosalind Joffe, who coaches people who have chronic illnesses.
These can create a set of challenges, particularly in the workplace where social interaction, physical activities and tight schedules may be requirements.
Chronic illnesses can be managed by knowing your rights, channeling your energy
When people think about disabilities, they often think of those who are hearing or visually impaired, have limited mobility or some type of mental impairment.
But George Barkley of Valparaiso suffered for 15 years from a different type of chronic illness -- psoriasis, a immune system disease.
"I would get very large lesions, about the size of a quarter to a half dollar and they would happen all over my body," says Barkley, who is a commercial appraiser, a job that requires him to travel around the country. "Many people get small patches, but I get them 200 times as bad and they would cover 35 to 40 percent of my body."
After seeing more than 14 doctors, Barkley finally has his psoriasis under control. But during the time when he had acute symptoms, he found the itching almost unbearable and the lesions, which often bleed, to be embarrassing.
This chronic illness made him feel uncomfortable because he never knew if he would bleed or lose skin in front of others. He would even schedule plane flights for times of the day when he wouldn't have to sit near others.
According to Rosalind Joffe, who coaches people who have chronic illnesses, situations like Barkley's creates a set of challenges, particularly in the workplace and in social encounters, which are difficult to deal with.
"One of the issues is how to keep working," Joffe said. "Many find it a struggle, but studies show that people who continue to work are better off health wise."
According to Joffe, a recent survey from the Center for Disease Control found that 33 percent of workers with arthritis in the United States suffered work limitations.
"Most people can't afford to stop working to focus on their health and many hesitate to inform their employers for fear of being passed over for promotion, resented by coworkers or even fired," she says.
Joffe says that one of the toughest aspects of managing a chronic illness is talking about it.
"It is your choice if and when you disclose your condition to a prospective or current employer or to co-workers -- especially if it's an illness that's "invisible," she says noting if your illness will impact your job it is in your best interest to tell your supervisor about it instead of waiting and letting it impact your productivity.
Joffe offers these additional tips and ideas for those struggling with chronic illness.
* Think about what you can do to manage your energy during the day and realistically consider options, such as a flexible schedule, working from home or reducing the workload at difficult times. But do your homework before you ask for any special "accommodations" so you are most likely to get what you need.
* Make sure to stay current and even ahead in your field by researching your illness.
* Don't complain too much as even the most sympathetic people can get tired of hearing about something that won't go away.
* Remember there is no law that says you have to disclose a chronic illness.
* If you do disclose, keep your tone confident so that others feel you won't become a burden. Also, know your legal rights. The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, state and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation and telecommunications.
Though living with a chronic illness is difficult, Joffe is positive.
"Many chronic illnesses can be managed," she says.
For more information, visit www.cicoach.com.
Tips for working more effectively with your illness
* Make sure that you can do your job. If not, then you have to figure out what resources you can enlist to get it done and put your energy to getting that support.
* When you are struggling to do your job because symptoms slow you down or prevent you from getting it done, make a list of activities you can't do, your ideas for how you can get it done and who it would involve. Take this to your supervisor to discuss. He/she will appreciate your pro-active approach.
* Look at how tasks might be re-distributed and discuss it with co-workers, being sure that they know that you want to carry the same amount of load, just differently.
* On your good days, be sure that you offer to help others who have pitched in for you. Keeping your allies at work is critical to your on-going health management.
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