Employment Issues & MS

A Book By Phillip D.Rumrill, JR. Mary L. Hennessey, Steven W. Nissen


Excerpts & Review:

The authors discuss Priority employment concerns among people with MS in which the least dissatisfaction is on the access to social security programs. The highest dissatisfaction is on the adequate financial help to stay on job

Among people with MS who are unemployed; 75% left their jobs voluntarily, 80% feel they have ability to work & 75% wish to re-enter work. While 67-80% women with MS are unemployed, the ratio of unemployed men with MS is lesser going up to only 51-58% as per the National survey (depending upon variables like lesser education, working spouse and other physiological factors)

There are recommendations to enhance Work Performance :

The researchers emphasized the need to empower workers with MS to monitor the progression of their disease and request appropriate job modifications from their employers. Work enhancers like Job-adjustments, Environmental adjustments, & Assistive Technology, Social Support & Healthful self-care practices can improve work performance.

Well educated, professional level workers had fewer employment problems and consequently more optimism about their continued career success.

The respondents also say that Information concerning legal rights, health insurance, disability act, disability insurance would have helped them in retaining employment.Notably there are other issues than MS for people leaving jobs- 37% respondents give reasons of marriage, relocation, pregnancy, retirement.

Some recommendations for enhancing conditions and activities are: Sit-down job, planning tasks when energy levels are highest, adaptive devices, stress control, good night's sleep, peaceful atomosphere etc.

The strategy of least intervention may be the most sensible: Assist the person in retaining employment in the same job with the same employer or based on vocational analysis identify other roles.

The biggest advise is to not stop working or opt for unemployment for the well being/treatment to reduce stress for MS affected people. Unemployment may rather lead to additional stress. Make career planning a priority right from the start. While improvement in treatments have addressed to MS management issues, at the same time many employers have also started understanding about their obligations for reasonable accommodations.

Employers report that most workers with MS perform at levels equal to or higher than non-disabled employees.

The book is recommended for people with MS to build confidence, keep up optimism, and knowing their ABILITIES planning ahead in terms of career opportunities, alternate career, modifications or getting technology support. The book is especially helpful for people in US. MS is definitely challenging in terms of its unknown behavior but getting educated about it, knowing legal, consumer and employee rights helps planning and keep going.