Oh No...I Think DS#1 Is Going To Lose His Job

**many houseapes** · 04-25-2008, 10:53 AM

Last month my ds#1 was diagnosed w/ ulcerative colitis(sp) a very horrible condition that there is no cure for & will require him to be on medication for the rest of his life. He is only 22. His condition has messed up his system so much that he doesn't sleep well at night & he is always run down,making it difficult for him to function normally during the day. His boss at work has been understanding so far about this & the corporate boss has been patient as well. But now that he has missed 3 days in a row b/c of the medical issues,I get the feeling that his boss is getting very impatient. Ds has been working for McDonalds for 2 1/2 yrs to fill in the sporadic freelance job that he has as a pixel artist & now I think he's going to lose his job at MD b/c of his medical problems. I feel so horrible for him & there is nothing that I can do(mother instinct kicking in). What will he do if he can no longer work? No one else will hire him if they know he has a condition -they would see him as a liability

.....A hated thought crossed my mind the other day...maybe he should apply for SSI? I would hate to see him have to put up w/more gov. BS.
His health care is being paid for by the county b/c we can't claim him on our insurance & he cannot afford ins on his own. He is not in school, but he's trying to get scholarships together for an art university. Any suggestions? I know this is long, but thanks for listening.

**champagnium** · 04-25-2008, 11:00 AM

(((HUGS))))
I have ulcerative colitis too, and have been fine for 5 years now. It's all about getting educated, taking meds properly, and dietary changes. Also, stress makes it waaay worse, so help him to make a plan, remain calm...and learn to love Bran Buds

There's a lot of helpful info on the net, and tell him to stay away from anything heavily caffinated, greasy (no mc'd's til his system settles) spicy, high in sugar, or fatty..also, dairy is a HUGE trigger for me. It takes a while to figure it out. Complex carbs are often handled better than simple (have ww pasta brown rice ect. instead of white) and tell him to try to get an appointment with a dietician who specializes in bowel diseases. It's not fun, can be terribly embarrassing sometimes, but it's controllable. (HUGS) Don't worry, once it's under control it's really no big deal!!

**perSue** · 04-25-2008, 11:04 AM

now, in the state I live in, from what i understand, you canNOT be fired based on a medical condition - that's discrimination.
however, you can be fired for attendance issues.

if he loses his job, there are other jobs out there.
he's got 2.5 yrs in at MD's... that's GREAT!!
shows reliability, loyalty and ability to hold down a job for that long (especially that kind of job which usually has a VERY high turn over).

If he has to go interviewing for jobs... he is NOT required to tell them about any medical issue he has - unless it's visual impairment, an obvious wheelchair, or whatever. So because his issue is internal and helped with meds, he has NO responsibility to tell any prospective employer.

On that same note, no previous employer can tell that kind of information to a potential employer calling for a reference. That is illegal.

So the odds are in your ds's benefit.

One more thing, I don't recall where you live, and dunno if this is by state or not... but I am NOT required - by law - to tell my employer (boss, HR, anyone!) about any medical condition.
It's upon YOU to take care of you, and if you can't and need help (ie, extra time off) you CAN tell your boss/HR etc... but you are not required to do so.

good luck to your ds!

**Michelle68** · 04-25-2008, 11:17 AM

((Hugs)) to you and your DS.

--Michelle

**Sonnenwende** · 04-25-2008, 11:29 AM

I'm so sorry your son is going through this.

**sdrjeolsen** · 04-25-2008, 12:25 PM

Sorry, no advice. Just wanted to send a hug your way.

**Dancing Lotus** · 04-25-2008, 01:48 PM

Big hugs.. I hope that he is able to cope with all of this well and doesn't have any trouble with his job. It will take time but I am sure that he will learn to deal with his condition and live as normal as possible.

**jamie79** · 04-25-2008, 01:52 PM

I am sorry for this.

**champagnium** · 04-25-2008, 02:42 PM

Forgot to say...tell him to drink a lot of water and he may find a multivitamin helps too...you don't get to absorb the food when the system is upset, he may be a little deficient...causing more fatigue.
Hope he feels better soon.

**tailerkat** · 04-25-2008, 06:01 PM

There is a type of disabilty claim that offers you job protection when a medical condition prevents you from working--an FMLA--it's up to twelve weeks in a rolling year. Your local edd will probably have information for you on how to apply

**cissylu** · 04-25-2008, 07:11 PM

I`m so sorry he is haveing to go thru this.

**FrugalMomof3** · 04-25-2008, 07:26 PM

Hugs to you and your DS, my thoughts are with you both

**C@rol** · 04-25-2008, 08:13 PM

Very sorry to hear your dear son is going through this.
I hope that everything works out.

**pip** · 04-26-2008, 08:33 AM

Wishing your son the best! I have a cousin, now in her 40's, that was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in her twenties, and I remember hearing about flair ups at times. She has a regular life, is married with 5 kids, got a college degree, and has had a good full time job all along.