My MS Bully and Me

With Shift MS, I've made a number of videos around disclosing MS and where to get support. This is my next instalment - I hope you find these useful! If someone decides to disclose there MS at work, how can they prepare for that conversation? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkIRupT2JVU&t=3s If you have enjoyed reading my blog and would like to be notified of new posts and information from other organisations, please follow me at https://www.facebook.com/myMSbullyandme

When I think of health disclosure in an employment situation, I think of it in two parts (three if you consider the prep beforehand): the conversation and what happens next.  Before you begin your prep, consider the following: Are you ready? If you're newly-diagnosed, do you need more time to absorb the information? If you're ready to discuss your condition, do you feel confident and if not, what will help you feel ready? The person you are disclosing to is human and may have a human reaction to your news, even if it's not quite what you were expecting. You've lived with this knowledge for a while, they for the last few minutes. What, if any, support do you need to do your job as effectively as you can? What will give you the same fighting chance as others without your condition? Provide reassurance on how you're managing your condition at work. For example, if they are able to make reasonable adjustments, what are you also doing? Are there questions they

We all have days when we don't feel up to being with the world.  I don't mean a duvet day; that to me is a completely different thing. I'm talking about t hose kinds of days when you don't want to speak to anyone, interact with anyone and just be with yourself. For reasons I'll explain at a later date, I've sent my family on holiday without me, so I'm feeling like I need one of these days today: let's call this a 'Hiding from the World' day. Having a chronic condition, coupled with a Hiding from the World day, is usually linked with a need to be alone and/or a need to slow down, if just for a day. So, what do we do on these sorts of days? 1. Get some wrap around care for the children. If they're at school, all the better; if not, then call in the cavalry. Don't feel guilty; your body is telling you need to be restful today. 2.  Choose one activity you would like to do today. It doesn't have to be from the list below. The ru

If you're wondering where I've been these last few weeks, I've been watching my energies and being very careful about what I've been devoting these to. Ive been working with Shift.MS and their brilliant MS & Work series. I hope this helps someone out there or at least kicks off some thought-provoking discussion. The Pros & Cons of Disclosure https://youtu.be/8HxIFCk2W20 If you have enjoyed reading my blog and would like to be notified of new posts and information from other organisations, please follow me at https://www.facebook.com/myMSbullyandme