What about work?

[greywolf]

Hi everyone, I am recently diagnosed with epilepsy (still awaiting tests and more investigation by my neurologist, so it's just a general diagnosis for now), but I'm not allowed to drive, at least for now. My driver's license has been cancelled because I was declared "medically unfit to drive". This is a problem for me especially because I am an automotive mechanic. Actually I'm on medical leave from my job right now, because my employer says I need a driver's license to do my job. So, because nothing is certain about my condition yet, I am trying to think ahead and considering a new career path. It seems like my options will be limited if I don't have a driver's license, or if I'm not willing to risk driving.

I love working with machines and fixing things, but that might be off the table now permanently. My neurologist has told me not to operate any power tools or work around machinery in case I have a seizure without warning. I've always dreaded the idea of working at a computer all day and not really moving around, but maybe that will be my reality now. I like working with electronics, diagnosis is one of my specialties in the automotive world. Avionics (working with electronic systems on aircraft) might be a possibility, since I wouldn't need to drive as part of that job. I also live close to an airport, so that might be convenient too.

What kind of jobs do you all have? Assuming you are able to work, I know some of you can't due to your condition. Just looking for ideas...

 

[CQ:)]

Hmm that's a hard one.

I am a receptionist myself and am on disability as my last bad seizure affected my memory.

But my dad used to work as a bus driver and motor / diesel mechanic when he did work. He can't work now though due to his own health issues

I'll ask my dad if there are other options for your type of field.

 

[Sabbo]

I agree--That IS hard. I have degrees in accounting & economics. but could never work once I started having complex partials. I often feel that I wasted the nearly 6 years of my life to obtain the degrees. On top of that, I eventually had to have my loans dismissed, YET when I tried to apply for disability, one lawyer ACTUALLY suggested that I get a separation from my husband!

 

[CQ:)]

I agree--That IS hard. I have degrees in accounting & economics. but could never work once I started having complex partials. I often feel that I wasted the nearly 6 years of my life to obtain the degrees. On top of that, I eventually had to have my loans dismissed, YET when I tried to apply for disability, one lawyer ACTUALLY suggested that I get a separation from my husband!

It sounds like a lot of headaches I'm sorry

We don't have to go through lawyers etc when applying for disability

You go to the government Centre link, get paperwork for your Dr / specialist.
I had my Neuro psychologist deal deal with the paper work and my neuro signed.

The paperwork then gos to Centrelink, I think from memory I had to be assessed by a centrelink medical worker.

With the information they collected and what my specialist gave them they agreed I could go on disability

I am now living with my partner who is my carer as well.

When he's at work I do activities or have carers. The main thing for me is my memory was affected.

 

[Sabbo]

You're lucky if it's easy to obtain disability benefits when you have epilepsy. The TRULY funny thing is that the lawyer who suggested that was one referred to me by the social services offices of my neurologist/hospital. I DID apply for disability on my own (w/o a lawyer) LONG ago--shortly after I began having the complex partials & severely burned myself many times. At THAT time, the disability department denied it, saying "seizures are controllable by medications." Now, it's been at least 26 years since I began having complex partials. I've tried NEARLY EVERY AED out there for these seizures--some when they were brand new.

 

[Porkette]

Hi greywolf,

I've never had my license in my life but I always got a ride from my husband or I could take the bus to work. I worked in
shop class in public school using a ban saw, along with a drill press and other tools plus I helped kids who had physical disabilities
that were in wheelchairs and couldn't walk. I would check things out with the Dept. of Labor in your area. Where I live you have
to be seizure free for 1 yr. and have a Drs. written statement saying it's safe to drive. The big problem is a lot of people just don't
understand epilepsy and they are afraid of it. If you talk to your employer and co workers about it things can get better. I was always
open about my epilepsy so everyone knew about it. I wish you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue

 

[Bernard]

Here in the USA, the laws vary by State, but generally, you need to be at least 3 months seizure free in order to be medically cleared (legal) to drive.

My wife has epilepsy - I don't. She had a career going as an industrial hygenist (safe, health and environmental department of an industrial facility dealing with all sorts of chemicals) before we decided to have a family. After our kids were grown up, she wanted to work again, but had (still has) cognitive difficulties and it took her a long time to find a job again (not in industrial hygene). I chaffeur her to work and back these days as she cannot drive presently.

 

[C0urt]

I was head of it for a real estate company. But I delivered sandwichs at a Jimmy John's on my bicycle during my lunch hour to enjoy myself and extra money. I had a seizure at Jimmy John's one time and I listed as a danger to myself and others on some document and it screwed a lot of stuff up for me

 

[CQ:)]

Here in the USA, the laws vary by State, but generally, you need to be at least 3 months seizure free in order to be medically cleared (legal) to drive.

My wife has epilepsy - I don't. She had a career going as an industrial hygenist (safe, health and environmental department of an industrial facility dealing with all sorts of chemicals) before we decided to have a family. After our kids were grown up, she wanted to work again, but had (still has) cognitive difficulties and it took her a long time to find a job again (not in industrial hygene). I chaffeur her to work and back these days as she cannot drive presently.

I think its to be atless 6 months seizure free here.

It may depend on circumstance too eg type of seizures and I believe rve if you are getting licence back or are a new licence

Im not 100% sure as I've never had my licence nor had an interest

Before my seizures returned and even this last bad seizure I used to walk along and get public transport.

I have carers now 3 days a week while my partners at work and they go walk with me and my pup

 

[greywolf]

Well, it's been 6 months seizure free for me now, so I am taking steps to get my license back, solely so I can go back to work. I'm not planning to get another car and start driving myself, but I need to support my family with my job, so I have no other choice. I guess at least now I am prepared in the sense that I know something could happen to me, and I did have visual aura before my last seizure, so I like to think I'll have some kind of warning ahead of time if something happens. At least I am not constantly required to drive at work, but I probably do a few test drives each day. I'm going to try to negotiate something with my boss, even though it says in my job description that I need to be able to drive.

It's a crap situation to be in. I'm scared about driving honestly, and I'd rather not do it, but I have no other choice. I applied for a teaching job (teaching auto mechanics), I have more than double the experience necessary and met all the qualifications, but they didn't even call me for an interview. Jobs like that are few and far between too. So yeah, wish me luck everyone. Until something else comes along that allows me to keep my family fed and a roof over our heads, and doesn't require me to drive, this is it.

 

[Porkette]

Hi Greywolf,

I know where you are coming from I've never had my license in my life. I wish you the best getting back your license
and I will tell you that by law your employer has to be willing to change your work hours if need be so you can get back
and forth to work. I learned this just a couple of yrs. ago.
Have you ever thought about taking a bus or getting a ride back and forth to work and just paying the person. That's
what I have had to do. Or if you want to you may want to look into getting a job and work from home. I will say public
schools in my area are always looking for teachers like you. I wish you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue

 

[greywolf]

Well, getting to and from work is no problem. Actually I recently moved and am only about 15 minutes away on foot, so I will walk each day. It's just that part of my job requires me to drive customer's cars. That's the only driving I'm planning to do, and only because it is part of my job description. I'll have to be extra vigilant about any kind of auras or other signs that a seizure might strike, although in the last six months it's been all clear. I think if it becomes necessary, my employer is required to provide accommodations, or even transfer me to a different job that would be safe. Thanks for the well wishes, I'll let you all know how it goes. It might take a few weeks to process the license thing, so there's still some time.

 

[Sabbo]

I also NEVER had my license, though I only had simple partial seizures when I was a teen, learning to drive. In fact, the day I had my final behind the wheel practice, I had seizure right before class--I decided right then & there that I would NOT get my license. After the complex partials began about 12 years later, I was VERY glad I didn't.