Maintaining employment with PPMS can be challenging, but many people do continue working successfully with the right support and accommodations in place. Around 61% of people diagnosed with MS remain employed, so you're definitely not alone in navigating this.
MS symptoms that can affect work include:
- Fatigue
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Maintaining employment with PPMS can be challenging, but many people do continue working successfully with the right support and accommodations in place. Around 61% of people diagnosed with MS remain employed, so you're definitely not alone in navigating this.
MS symptoms that can affect work include:
- Fatigue
- Cognitive difficulties (brain fog, memory, concentration)
- Vision issues
- Mobility challenges (leg weakness, muscle spasticity)
- Drop foot Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), U.S. employers with 15 or more employees are legally required to provide reasonable accommodations. Some helpful workplace adjustments people with MS have used include:
- Working remotely or from home
- Flexible scheduling
- Large computer monitors or screen magnification software
- Talk-to-type software
- Modified or adjustable workstations
- Accessible parking
- Reduced travel requirements
- Additional training time or refreshers It's worth knowing your rights before approaching your employer. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a fantastic free resource that lists accommodations specifically tailored to MS symptoms like fatigue, cognitive impairment, and mobility issues.
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are also worth exploring as backup options if needed. As one MyMSTeam member wisely put it: *"Whatever your choice, evaluate your true physical and psychological capacity. Having strong strategies in place will help with all your ambitious goals."*
Working closely with your neurologist before having workplace conversations can help you feel prepared and confident. An occupational therapist can also help identify practical strategies to stay functional on the job as symptoms change over time.
August 17
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