Can a handle returning to work?
Hi all. I have not worked in 4 years due to surgeries (neck fusion and hip labral tear repair) and difficulties with RA (fatigue, etc). I am feeling a little stronger now and have a possibility of returning to work part time (found out today that I made it to the interview round). Thing is, I am an occupational therapist by trade and the job will be working in a hand therapy clinic, which I have done before being diagnosed with RA. My concern is can I really tolerate 30 hrs a week using my hands as a therapist? My thinking lately is that my hands will be hurting at a desk job with answering phones and typing all day. At least with this job I could move around some, which we all know is important with RA, and returning to my chosen field. I am sure I am just having self doubts/questioning due to the unknown and realizing that 30 hrs a week would not qualify for intermittent FMLA (or at least I don't think it will) should it be needed again. Has anyone else felt this way over returning to work and the job worked out well afterall? I'm in new territory with the RA portion and just looking for some advice and support, I guess. Thanks in advance.
Hi
. It is understandable that you want to go back to work, but have apprehension due to the RA. It is interesting that you are an OT, as one of our contributors Kat is as well (you can find her bio page here: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/community/experts/kat-elton). I can't speak personally on this issue, but want to share some information. Concerning the FMLA here is a frequently asked questions document that includes info on work requirements: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla/faq. Also, if you might need workplace accommodations this article discusses them: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/ra-and-workplace-accommodations. Finally, here is an article Kelly wrote on career planning with RA: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/career-planning. I know none of these answer your specific questions, but hope reading about what others with RA think about and do in relation to work might be helpful. Hopefully others will chime in with their thoughts. Please feel free to let us know how things are going and to ask additional questions. Best, Richard (Team Member) Thank you for your response. It is difficult figuring out the right thing to do and not self limit what you may be able to do. Hi
. Limits are certainly a difficult thing to figure out, accept, and manage. The fact that you are trying to figure out the balance before making a decision is a great step. You may know that I happen to be Kelly Mack's husband. I want to share one other article she did on changing jobs for her health: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/disability-job-change. She has worked steadily since college (with a couple major surgeries thrown in), but has also re-evaluated at various points as her RA and overall health necessitated. I've been a witness (and hopefully a help) to Kelly trying to find the balance between not limiting herself, while not pushing too much past them. I wish I knew what the answer is, but it really seems to be trial and error. I suspect Kelly would say (and it is what I've witness her do) try do what you desire and then cut back again if necessary. Wishing you the best. Richard (Team Member)
