Re: Venting....%^&*#%%@ (Really long...sorry)
From: ALicia (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 13 Aug 2001 09:55:18 -0500
Kristen
Heres my advice. I am 450lbs or so and disabled from PCOS. I have been
in the 600s. When I was having my severe weight gain, I was trapped in
a very difficult job because no one wanted to hire a balding, hairy, fat
woman of around 400lbs at that time and gaining. I had employment
problems even before the gain. I know now that I am planning to find
something outside of the traditional line up and beg for work work world.
I don't want to have my appearance hold me back again when I am well
enough to work. I am trying to figure out how to make money on my
own....a business at home. I haven't gotten things figured out yet, Im
still dealing with major health issues, but this I know when I am well
is where most of my energy will lie. The normal work world unless you
are in a field of great demand...the computers isn't even safe anymore is
harder then hell for anyone who looks different. Heres my suggestions
1. Go to local rehab and have them try and help you secure employment.
They usually work with disabled people ready to work---this is where I
will go once health problems are under control but they will take cases
of people who aren't quite disabled facing other problems. If you get a
fatphobe who concentrates on telling you to lose weight, tell her you
need money NOW and go to the next.
2. Apply for jobs through friends and family, church connections etc.
If you know someone it is far easier to get in. Find out about jobs
this way first. Jobs through ads are always the most difficult to get.
Everyone I know including myself got the best jobs through word of
mouth.
3. Think about reeducation in a field that is very noncompetitive. Also
volunteer work can hook you up to opportunities. I volunteer now and
have made local connections.
4. During interviews be upfront about your appearance. If you sense
displeasure towards your appearance call them on it, even if you don't get
the job at least you got to say your piece.
5 You have legal grounds for a case since your employer would not give
you time off for foot surgery. I think its time to call up your local
Labor office and file a complaint. You can sue for past wages. This is
illegal.
Aun, 12 Aug 2001, Monica wrote:
>
>Kristin,
>I am soo sorry to hear you are having a tough time. This pcos is such a
>horrible thing!!!! I am thinking about going back to work in a couple
>years and I want to have this under control and try to get some weight
>off. I am not feeling confident enough to go look for a job right now
>either. I would try to work part time now but i feel horrible too much
>of the time. I was getting reallly sick on the gucophage. My doc
>changed me to the glucophage xr and take 1500mg once a day with my
>biggest meal, actually I usually take it in the evening. It doesn't
>make me sick like the regular glucophage.
>Thats too bad your employer wouldn't cooperate and give you time off. I
>wish the best for you.
>Good luck.
>Monica
>
>At Sun, 12 Aug 2001, kristin wrote:
>>
>>AGHHHHHHHHHHH......That, folks was a virtual scream. I have had just
>>about enough of dealing with this crap. I am 5'5 and 295 lbs and cursed
>>with this damn disorder...I am miserable, my hair is coming out in
>>clumps in the places I want to keep it and growing like weeds in the
>>places I don't want it. I can grow a better beard than my brother. I
>>am moody as heck, miserable most of the time and bust into tears at the
>>dumbest things. I am currently unemployed because I had to have some
>>minor foot surgery (one of the few problems I have that is NOT directly
>>related to this crap). My employer refused my request for some time off
>>to have it, so I had to resign. How the hell am I supposed to find a
>>job when I look like a cross between Jabba the Hutt and Chewbacca? My
>>parents (basically my mother) are helping financially but there's
>>baggage that comes with that. Tonight my own mother said, I kid you
>>not..."well, honey your going to have a hard time with a professional
>>appearence, looking the way you do" and "I would'nt be a good mother if
>>I did'nt tell you the truth." My dad is the only person that does'nt
>>seem to have nasty things to say about this, but its awfully tough to
>>talk to your father about why I hav'nt had a regular period in 4 years.
>>I am on COBRA from my job, but that runs out at the end of the month,
>>because I can't afford it anymore, so I won't have any insurance. I am
>>supposed to be on Glucophage 850 mg 2X a day, but it makes me so sick i
>>can't stand it. I am thinking of asking my doctor to put me back on the
>>Spiro and possibly write me a script for Prozac. I was on Zoloft a
>>while back, but had a very bad reaction to it. Also I can get Avandia
>>at little to no cost because my sister-in-law works for the drug company
>>that manufacturs it. What I wonder is will all this do any good? I
>>think with something to control the mood swings, I will feel better and
>>maybe stop crying at the mere mention of anything stressful. I work
>>(when I'm working) as a surgical tech, so there's plenty of stress there
>>and I just wish I could handle it better.
>>Does anyone have any other ideas? I have been fighting the thought of
>>spending the rest of my life chained to popping pills every day, but I
>>am afraid that I have no other choice......Thanks folks...I just needed
>>to vent to someone who would understand....kristin
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