No matter the area of expertise, our achievements and accomplishments in the workplace contribute to our self-image and identity. It’s not surprising that people with lupus, especially soon after being diagnosed, often wonder if their illness will affect their ability to contribute in the workplace.
Many people with lupus are able to continue to work, although they may need to make changes in their work environment. Flexible work hours, job-sharing, and telecommuting may help you to keep working. It may be helpful to begin to make such arrangements soon after you have been diagnosed with lupus.*
"Many people with lupus are able to continue to work". That fact used as one of the Facts of the Day during Lupus Awareness month. It seems to have set off a firestorm of controversy for some of us with Lupus. So much so that I understand some people were boycotting LFA and a petition to have that wording taken out of the education information that the Lupus Foundation of America provides was started.
I'll start by saying that I love my career! It brings me great joy and fills me with a sense of pride and accomplishment daily. Working helped me build self esteem, worth, and maintain a postive attitude. When I am at work the fact that I have severe Lupus is secondary. Working helps keep my mind busy, keeps from isolating myself,provides me with a little bit of normal, and most importantly it keeps me from being wrapped up in "Woe is me and Oh poor me".
Working in health care for my entire career; I'm aware that there are a lot of people that choose to focus on the negative aspect of their illness. Saying things like " I suffer from Lupus" to me brings on negative connotations and brings the person down and keeps them down. I refuse to say that I suffer from Lupus as I am not suffering from anything in my life. I live with Lupus everyday and I have for almost 17 years. There are many of us with autoimmune diseases that continue to work everyday. Some of us out of necessity and others out of sheer stubbornness. I don't criticize nor look down on those who feel they can't work anymore. We each must deal with Lupus in our own way. The point I want to make is that there is more to me than my disease.
Being diagnosed with Lupus wasn't reason enough for me to stop working or to stop living. When I began to have complication after complication I fought even harder every day to go to work. Sometimes going to work was the one thing in my life that I could absolutely control. Don't get me wrong; getting motivated to go to work isn't always easy. But to me and many others with Lupus and assorted autoimmune diseases it's always worth it.
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