When Should You Tell the Truth to Your Friends, Family and Boss That You’ve Got Multiple Sclerosis
It's an issue for all of us diagnosed with multiple sclerosis- a disease that changes our lives forever. Touching everyone and everything in its path. And what I've found is that there are no rules and who and what you decide to disclose is based on various different factors.
Telling Your Employer You've Got Multiple Sclerosis
There are no easy solutions or answers on whether you should or shouldn't tell your employer but I think that there are concerns you should have. If you are extremely dependant on eyesight in performing your job and you've just been hit with a bought of optic neuritis then I would be very selective in mentioning anything.
Folks, discrimination is out there and I've been discriminated against by my employer who is also my parent. People will think that you are not good enough or that your disability affects the performance on the job.
My opinion is that you should not speak of your diagnosis or symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
Employment can be difficult enough with out disclosing a disease that effects the way people think about you. I suggest mum's the word at work.
Some of your friends will embrace multiple sclerosis and others may not.
Some will treat you as a delicate flower who can't do anything or others my forget you even have a disease. It's entirely your discretion who you tell, and what symptoms you tell them you have.
And the general reception I receive from everyone is, boy you're a trouper and a fighter, I'm proud of you. You can't imagine how important that is to me, thank you friends.
When I first met my wife over 13 years ago I told her I had MS right away.
It was never an issue in our relationship and she was never concerned about me.
But her lack of concern was more so denial that anything else. People who have MS go through denial and so do their partners.
I urge you to be honest with your loved ones and I also urge you to tell you're loved ones that they are on a journey with multiple sclerosis as well.
People change, circumstances change and lives change and people with MS and their loved ones must realize this and adapt together.
Everyone must adapt to their new life and doing so involves emotions such as anger, denial, anxiety, depression, loss, frustration, and pity. Feel these emotions, realize their presence and move on. Not moving on will only hold you back from what is rightfully yours. Love, happiness, peace, and progression of life.
Robert Groth is the author of Conquer Multiple Sclerosis. To receive a FREE Ebook go to http://conquerms.com/truth-friends-family-boss/