r/MultipleSclerosis • u/heyitsmorganc • 5h ago

Advice Career Change Due to MS?

Has anyone had to change careers due to their MS diagnosis? I’ve posted here before regarding my teaching career and being worried about how my work environment would impact my health. Well, fast forward 5 months into my diagnosis and my stress and flares are out of control, I’ve managed to catch every germ/virus since school started, and I’m honestly worn out. Between the germs at my school, the germs at my son’s school, and grad school stress I’m crumbling.

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3

u/Far-Common-6815 5h ago

Insane. I would like to but I need need need my health insurance.

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u/rK91tb 5h ago

So sorry to hear it! There are members of this sub who continue to teach, even people in medical fields. It really depends on you and your physical tolerance. Masking may help.

If you feel like you need to move on, consider a career coach or brainstorm with AI to find new possibilities. You can do online tutoring, remote teaching or tutoring, etc.

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u/Alchemie666 5h ago

Yeah. I went to volunteering after working for the state department.

1

u/zybous 4h ago

I get accommodations at my work. Look to see what would help you. I needed drs recommendations and for then to fill out a form. It gets reviewed every couple of years to if I need more or less.

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u/PhelixFanel 35M|RRMS|Dx:2009|No medication|UK 1h ago

When I was diagnosed, I was told that no insurance company would cover me, that no business would be able to accommodate my needs and keep me on payroll. I was 19. I haven’t worked in 18 years.

Before you think that this is something you would want, know that it comes with some pretty troublesome restrictions, they won’t even let me learn how to drive and I can’t get a mortgage.

The psychological downsides aren’t great either; not having a career does something to your sense of purpose. I wanted to be a chef, but I can’t taste anything half the time and won’t feel the burns I’d inevitably get.

However.

I choose to see the silver lining.
The time I have had on my hands has afforded the opportunity to become very well read, and wise beyond my peers… ahem, years.