 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Epilepsy / December 2004Vent: seizure at job interview
Need to vent: I am so pissed off! I was just leaving my 2nd interview at this company, when I went into a complex partial. The interview had gone really well and I think I did well on the test, even though I'd had another seizure this morning and wasn't quite up to par. We were in the HR person's office just about to say goodbye, then next thing I know we're standing outside waiting for a taxi - because I didn't remember that my husband was on his way to pick me up. She told me it had lasted about 15 minutes. Just to make it worse I had answered "no" to the question on the application form, "Do you have any disabilities or medical problems that may affect your ability to do the job?" DAMN IT!! I've been looking for a permanent job for almost a year now. Looks like I'll have to increase my meds AGAIN, until I get surgery (if they find that I'm qualified for it). I was hoping that I'd have a job with long-term disability insurance before I have surgery which will leave me unable to work for several months. :( > Need to vent: I am so pissed off! I was just leaving my 2nd interview at > this company, when I went into a complex partial. The interview had gone [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > unable to work for several months. > :( I'm sorry to hear that. It's been so long since you posted (or I forgot) IF your Complex Partials are aggravated by stress? (like mine). Since I don't remember for sure whether that applied to you, or what pills you now take, my Neuro gave me a prescription for Atavan Sublingual 1mg (lorazepam) as I got nearer to control with Tegretol and Frisium. Since I had definite auras, if I put one of those (about size of a saccharine (sp?) tablet) under my tongue, it would dissolve into bloodstream in under 5 minutes and 'cap' the seizure onset. Of course in your case, you would have had to take it Ahead of the interview (it's effective for ~4 hours?), rather than pausing during the interview to take one. Except for drowsiness, if you could use it, there aren't any side effects that I'm aware of if it would help your type of szr. Again I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Do you know for sure that she (they) have turned down your application yet? In other words did you hear right then or do they write to you? *Maybe they have a compassionate HR person. There are a few around ya know. Also, it may vary by area (Province, State), but some Employers, although their Medical and Dental insurance starts right away, sometimes the long term disability part has a 6 month to 1 year? waiting period. That might have changed or not apply, but I think (back in 1966) it was after a year before they asked me if I wanted to pay for Extended Disability Group Insurance. Lucky I did, since I was fully healthy at the time. But the prescription plans just started up nationally about 1975, long **before I started to need the mix I take now. Maybe others here will have some ideas in the Morning. G./ > Need to vent: I am so pissed off! I was just leaving my 2nd interview at > this company, when I went into a complex partial. The interview had gone [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > unable to work for several months. > :( That's awful - but why did you say "no" to the disbility question? Mary > > Need to vent: I am so pissed off! I was just leaving my 2nd interview at > > this company, when I went into a complex partial. The interview had gone [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > That's awful - but why did you say "no" to the disbility question? You know, I think that word "disability" means different things to different people or different organizations. That phrase, "ability to do your job," really isn't clear either. Does that mean all the time or what? I work at home, and even if I had a seizure while working, it doesn't affect my performance although it might affect the time needed to complete a project, but since I work at home, that is a moot point because I can work whatever hours I wish. Barb > Mary >> > Need to vent: I am so pissed off! I was just leaving my 2nd interview >> > at [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > hours I > wish. It certainly is a matter of interpretation. When I've ever been asked about such things I've given the whole picture and never been refused. Surely if you deny something and then it manifests itself it could have worse implications than if you're straight from the start? It's a difficult one, I realise that. Mary > Barb > >> Mary > >> > Need to vent: I am so pissed off! I was just leaving my 2nd interview > >> > at [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] > > It's a difficult one, I realise that. Sorry to have replied on your post, Mary. Certainly didn't mean to single you out. I just thought it was a good time to bring up the subject. I definitely understand what you are saying. Barb > Mary > > > > Barb > > > >> Mary Though I do agree that you always have to be honest about any condition affecting your daily job especially when that condition is not fully controlled, nowadays employers can choose what people they want to hire for their job application. Unfortunately, people that say "yes" to any of these questions are off the list so to speak. -- Thanks. Marco The Netherlands > Need to vent: I am so pissed off! I was just leaving my 2nd interview at > this company, when I went into a complex partial. The interview had gone [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > unable to work for several months. > :( Howdy! DO your seizures effect your ability to do the job?? If not, you may be a shoe in just because you have demonstrated that you qualify for consideration under EEO. If they do, then you are guilty of fraud on your job application. Dave > Howdy! > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Dave Well, doesn't the need to go to the toilet affect the ability to do one's job? It also requires time away from your work, as does a seizure. I have always answered "no" to that question on an application, because my seizures don't affect my ability to do the job, they just take a little time away from it - as does going to the toilet. Darryl. > Well, doesn't the need to go to the toilet affect the ability to do one's > job? I think you are forgetting the context this question implies. If the job requires you to drive a truck, then YES, seizures certainly would affect your ability to do your job. I can think of many jobs that someone with seizures shouldn't do.....lifeguard, jockey, pilot, child care, jobs where a lot of travel is involved, working with dangerous equipment....... >It also requires time away from your work, as does a seizure. You can control (to a large degree) when you have to go to the bathroom. You can plan around it. Not true with seizures. That said, I managed a fairly large group of computer programmers for several years and occasionally had seizures and it did not distract from my performance. But I only had a handful of seizures over the span of a year. If I had a handful a day, then it would have affected my performance. I would also add working on a production line (if you have a seizure you shut down the whole factory.) Real-time person to person interface: phone operators, telemarketing, etc.  SignatureDave ???? http://www.howdydave.com > > Well, doesn't the need to go to the toilet affect the ability to do one's > > job? [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > over the span of a year. If I had a handful a day, then it would have > affected my performance. >> Well, doesn't the need to go to the toilet affect the ability to do one's >> job? [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > over the span of a year. If I had a handful a day, then it would have > affected my performance. I spent 20 years working in a factory, making formica benchtops, the last three years as production manager over a team of approx 20 staff - having between 5 and 15 seizures a DAY and my work wasn't affected by it. My workmates got used to it although some of the customers got a bit more than they bargained for. I am fortunate, however, in that I have an almost immediate recovery. I realise many don't - was only stirring the pot with my last post. It was meant in jest - I try not to take life too seriously - if you add up the time spent working, sleeping, travelling, shopping and seizing, there isn't all that much left over. Cheers Darryl. > >> Well, doesn't the need to go to the toilet affect the ability to do one's > >> job? [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > Cheers > Darryl. Well, this is a desk job - proofreading labels and marketing material. Having a seizure won't affect other people or endanger me or anyone else. But of course, it will leave me incapacitated for at least a couple of hours. > > >> Well, doesn't the need to go to the toilet affect the ability to do > one's [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > But of course, it will leave me incapacitated for at least a couple of > hours. Howdy! Sounds like: "NO" was the right answer then! SignatureDave ???? http://www.howdydave.com > > DO your seizures effect your ability to do the job?? I guess that depends on the job you are applying for plus the fact whether or not the seizure is fully controlled. SignatureThanks. Marco The Netherlands Sorry to hear about your job interview experience. Keep a positive outlook. Give the company a call and let them know that you are very much interested in the position and comment on why you will do a good job for them. Speak with confidence in your voice. Or drop them a card to thank them for the interview and you look forward to hearing from them. I had a tonic clonic seizure the day before an interview. I was exhausted, had to have my husband drive me to the interview. I had notes to remind me of what I wanted to say and ask. I was interviewed by three people at once. No one knew there was a problem except me, I got the job and they were surprised when I informed them months later that I had experienced a seizure the day before the interview. Take care, Julie > Need to vent: I am so pissed off! I was just leaving my 2nd interview at > this company, when I went into a complex partial. The interview had gone [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > unable to work for several months. > :( Well, I wasn't really sure what I should answer. I said "no" because it's not like a physical handicap that impedes my abilities - it only affects my work ability when I'm having (or just have had) a seizure. I didn't want to put anything on the application that would make me look less attractive as an employee. I spoke to the woman at the employment agency this morning and told her what happened, and she said it wouldn't necessarily ruin my chances. I'm going to write a "thank you" letter to the woman who interviewed me with a PS thanking her for her understanding, or something like that. G, to answer your question, my seizures can definitely be triggered by stress, and I'm now on Clobazam and Tegretol, but for the last couple of months I've been having CPs once a week or so (three times so far this week - had another one today). And in BC your benefits normally take effect after a three-month probation period is over (although for long-term disability they may make you wait longer, I'm not sure). > Sorry to hear about your job interview experience. Keep a positive outlook. > Give the company a call and let them know that you are very much interested in [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > unable to work for several months. > > :( > Well, I wasn't really sure what I should answer. I said "no" because it's > not like a physical handicap that impedes my abilities - it only affects my [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > after a three-month probation period is over (although for long-term > disability they may make you wait longer, I'm not sure). **G* Is the weather going up and down this time of year out there? I found my C.P.s were aggravated by drops in the air pressure (as rain approached), when I got nearer to control using the same pills you are using. Usually in Canada I think it's a Year full time, then the insurer the Company uses (through the company) lets you add long term disab. insurance to your deductions. That's one advantage though of a Group Insurance policy (with the company) in that the rates are lower often than buying it on our own. And if for some reason you later became disabled there are some tax advantages here by electing to pay for part of the insurance instead of having the employer pick up 100% of any insurance costs. / > > G, to answer your question, my seizures can definitely be triggered by > > stress, and I'm now on Clobazam and Tegretol, but for the last couple of [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > approached), when I got nearer to control using the same pills you are > using. Yes, the weather in Vancouver has been getting very cold, raining and windy, with occasional bright sunny days. Maybe I should keep note of how the weather is when I have seizures. > Usually in Canada I think it's a Year full time, then the insurer the > Company uses (through the company) lets you add long term disab. insurance [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > here by electing to pay for part of the insurance instead of having the > employer pick up 100% of any insurance costs. / Well, it's probably a moot point now. I can't afford to buy personal insurance, and I doubt that I got that job. :( I'm working on a temp contract now which is over next Friday. But the silver lining is that I won't have to postpone my video/EEG monitoring hospital stay, which has been tentatively arranged for early to mid-December. (I was going to put it off until next year if I got the job.) I'm trying my best not to feel sorry for myself... How about some chocolate? ;) > > **G* Is the weather going up and down this time of year out there? I > > found my C.P.s were aggravated by drops in the air pressure (as rain [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > I'm trying my best not to feel sorry for myself... How about some chocolate? > ;) Yes, Please.... :-> G./ > > > **G* Is the weather going up and down this time of year out there? I > > > found my C.P.s were aggravated by drops in the air pressure (as rain [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > with occasional bright sunny days. Maybe I should keep note of how the > > weather is when I have seizures. I've been recording the air pressure here morning and night for about 20yrs and found that I tend to have more fits when it reaches a peak ie stops going up and starts going down. I think there's a similar tendency when it stops going down and starts going up but I don't think that's such a definite influence. I've also developed bi-polar disorder and find that when I'm on top of the world I want to eat lots and lots of chocolate. When the world's on top of me, I can't stand very sweet flavours and find very few things pleasant to eat. As blood sugar level is an important influence on the likelihood of having a fit, the cold weather may affect it by using the energy more quickly and hence reducing the blood sugar level. Cheers, Chris L. > But the silver lining is that I won't have to postpone my video/EEG > monitoring hospital stay, which has been tentatively arranged for early to [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > chocolate? > ;) Here, try some of my very special one, it's mind blowi - oh, perhaps we shouldn't be eating that! You sound more relaxed now, I'm very pleased about that. Mary > > But the silver lining is that I won't have to postpone my video/EEG > > monitoring hospital stay, which has been tentatively arranged for early to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Mary Thanks, Mary. I'm getting over it. > Sorry to hear about your job interview experience. Keep a positive > outlook. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > the > interview. Yep, I would certainly call them and let them know what the condition is and how it doesnot affect your daily job PLUS if they are asking for it, let them know you filled in "no" because you really wanted that job (good motivation) and you are convinced you can do it based on the fact that the seizure itself does not affect your ability to do it. Hopefully that helps? SignatureThanks. Marco The Netherlands > Yep, I would certainly call them and let them know what the condition is and > how it doesnot affect your daily job PLUS if they are asking for it, let [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Marco > The Netherlands Thanks Marco, and everyone who responded. I sent the interviewer a "thank-you" email the next day, in which I told her about the epilepsy and assured her that it does not affect my job performance. Unfortunately I was notified the following week that someone else has been hired. :( I guess we'll never know what the reason was. Now I'm unemployed, so if any of you needs some freelance proofreading or copy editing done, let me know! I can work long distance thanks to the Net! thanks, Hilary > Thanks Marco, and everyone who responded. I sent the interviewer a > "thank-you" email the next day, in which I told her about the epilepsy and [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > copy editing done, let me know! I can work long distance thanks to the > Net! Too bad to hear Hilary. As Mary Fisher would say, think positive and there will always be a next opportunity. Don't loose confidence and find out whether there are other jobs as well you can apply for so that your chances to a good result increase a little bit? SignatureThanks. Marco The Netherlands >> Thanks Marco, and everyone who responded. I sent the interviewer a >> "thank-you" email the next day, in which I told her about the epilepsy [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >> copy editing done, let me know! I can work long distance thanks to the >> Net! I didn't know what your expertise was, I think you probably should look far wider. Good proofreading is a great skill and, from what I see in professional publishing, is left far too much to computers. With our rich and beautiful language only a human can do the job properly. Spread your Net wide! > Too bad to hear Hilary. As Mary Fisher would say, think positive and there > will always be a next opportunity. Would I? LOL! There are so many people knowing more about me than I know about myself :-) > Don't loose confidence and find out > whether there are other jobs as well you can apply for so that your > chances > to a good result increase a little bit? You certainly have learned by this experience, suggestions from this group and, probably, from others will all stand you in good stead with future applications. I'm sure we all wish you well for the future. Mary > >> Thanks Marco, and everyone who responded. I sent the interviewer a > >> "thank-you" email the next day, in which I told her about the epilepsy [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > Mary Thanks Mary! I appreciate it. :) |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.