At Work

Parkinson's can affect you and your work in many ways. There is help available to make your

work easier if you are having trouble with performance. For instance, a speech therapist may help keep your speech strong and communication effective if you are in sales, spend a lot of time talking on the phone or deliver speeches or presentations. If you have back pain, neck pain or shoulder pain,or work at a desk for extended periods of time, the way that you sit and work at your workstation may contribute or worsen discomfort. An occupational therapist can review your work station, helping you set up your desk and computer station so that it is ergonomically safe, and easier to use. You may find that a simple change in hardware, chair or new gadgets such as a voice amplifier, computer mouse designed for people with tremor, or new keyboard can help you do your job.

Perhaps you have other work related concerns. Many people with Parkinson's struggle with the decision to tell their manager, boss or coworkers about their disease. Some find their motor symptoms, cognitive function, sleep and mood are affected by the psychological stress or worries about work, finances, or change in role identity related to their career or family.

You may have questions about disability, discrimination and your legal rights in the workplace. What about concerns related to retirement or disability- how do I apply for disability, when is the right time for you, what do I do after retirement? The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/article-30123.html, prohibits employers from discriminating against employees or applicants with disabilities in all aspects of employment including hiring, pay, promotion, firing, and more. It also protects employees from retaliation when they enforce their rights under the law. We will explore the many organizations and specialists that can help you navigate these issues.

There are no simple answers to these questions or concerns. However you can tackle these issues more confidently when you have knowledge about your rights, the services and specialists that can help you. We will explore these topics in the Home and Away Tips section.

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