Working & Me
Do's & Don'ts of managing a chronic illness while working
I have been living with Systemic Lupus, Sjogren's Syndrome and ITP ( a blood platlet disorder) for the last seventeen years of my life. Needlesstosay, I have endured many challenges and worked very hard, and sometimes, very painfully to earn every bit of normalcy that I enjoy today. A constant issue that I, and millions of other people living with a chronic condition, must continuiously face is figuring out and managing the complexities of balancing our work life and health needs.
As Americans, we define ourselves by our amazing work ethics. We spend our formative years grooming and dreaming our about professional and career path. Then as adults, our job, career and professional choices plays a major role in our identity, and level of priviledge we have access to in our society and beyond. So what do you do when you are living with a chronic illness, and you are barely holding onto your job? What do you do when you are faced with threat of no longer being able to work because of the pain and fatigue? Better yet, how do you handle suspicious co-workers or boss who think your pulling the "disabled card" when you need extra time to complete a project or make a doctor appointments?
As a professional wellness coach for men and women living with chronic conditions, my number objective in assisting them to live in greater health, happiness and intergrity, is to bring to their awareness that SELF CARE should come before any personal or professional goal. I advise them to create a structure outside of their work environment that will support them through the many bumps and bruises of their work life. Here is a list of Do's and Don'ts that has worked for me in managing my professional life and will help you as well.
1. Don't pretend to PASS as healthy. Pretending is hardwork and can eventually put your health and state of mind in jeapordy. Do find out as much information as you can about your illness, limitation and discuss your challenges and options with your supervisor. You will eventually need the support of your employers, and it's better to keep them updated on your condition, as it relates to your work performance.
2. Don't continue to work high pressured and high stress jobs with little or no flexibilty. These types of jobs most certainly will irritate your condition and cause greater agony than necessary.
Do research other employment options that will be less stressful and offer greater flexibilty.
3. Don't whine about your uncomfortable working environment. Do get familiar with your rights as an employee with physical and/or mental limitations. The Disabilty Act outlines all of you and your employers rights to create and maintain a reasonable working environment. Approach your employer with the facts and a reasonable list outlining your needs.
4. Don't isolate yourself from others. It is very tempting to isolate ourselves from others who may not understand or maybe fightened by our challenges and physical changes. But that is a VERY BIG NO NO! Research has shown, that people who are connected to a loving and supportive community thrive greatly in the face of their health adversities.
Do get support from family, friends, a support group or a professional counselor or life coach. These are the people that will encourage you towards greater acceptance of yourself and your illness.
5. Don't place your job above your self care. Again, our society rewards hard work, even when it hurts. We cannot afford to play that game! We have to always keep in the forefront of our minds the delicate balance of other people's wants and our life sustaining needs. Do realize that we are more than our jobs, and that no job is worth the pain and suffering of neglecting our health needs. Make a realistic plan for self care and ask your support system to hold you accountable.
6. Don't Project! Do not worry yourself into a full blown anxiety attack! Worrying will cost you much more than you are willing to spend, so don't go there!
Do take one day at a time. Our condition may fluxuate from one day to the next, one moment to the next, and the best way to stay alert and in good care is to keep our "heads where are feet are at." Take care of what is in front of you for the day.
Remember, you are the most creative and valuable asset above any bottomline or profit margin. Make self care the top of your to-do list at the start of each day.
Many Blessings, Coach K!
About the Author
Keesha M. Mayes, is the President, Senior consultant and Professional coach at CSOLUTIONS Coaching & Consulting services. Ms. Mayes has worked as a Community Program Coordinator for one of 12 nationally designated Community Center of Excellence in Women's Health, located at the renowned Griffin Hospital in Derby, Connecticut. During her employment, Keesha has developed a very successful patient education program for underserved/underrpresented women, named WE! Network. Her signature blend of combining comprehensive, well organized and creative programming creates a win-win situation for her clients, coachees and the people they serve. Her work includes: The Healthy Divas Empowerment Support Group for Women, Living Well Chronic Illness Support Group for Women, WE! Network Craft Club, and a monthly women's empowerment newsletter.
She received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Communications from Charter Oak State College in New Britain, Connecticut. Currently, she's a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF) and completing her Professional Coaching credentials for the International Coaching Federation (ICF) at Coach University.
Tell others about
this page:
Comments? Questions? Email Here