When Ulcerative Colitis Affects Your Job...

If you have Ulcerative Colitis, you already know that it affects every aspect of your life, including your professional life. When I was first diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis I didn't think it would affect my daily life in such a dramatic way. I expected small changes but never did I think that I might end up sitting at home without a job.

At the time of my diagnosis I was going to school as a full time student and wasn't employed. Minor adjustments had to be made in my school schedule and in my college life in general but they were adjustments that were easy to make. I quickly learned that trying to gain employment with Ulcerative Colitis was nearly impossible.

When I decided to start working again I searched the want ads in the newspaper and found several jobs that I was qualified for. I re-built my resume and started going to job interviews. In time I learned that I was making one big mistake in my interviewing process. I would tell the employer up front that I had Ulcerative Colitis and what the disease entailed. I might as well have not finished the interview. I don't know how many interviews I went through before I realized my mistake. So, I tried a different approach. I wouldn't mention my illness at all when I met with an employer. I found a job as an Editor/Quality Control Supervisor in a call center. I went to my interview, didn't mention my disease, got hired and started training the following week. I waited a couple of weeks into my training to show the employer that I was reliable and that I was well qualified for the position. After a couple of weeks went by I sat down with my boss and told him about my disease. I didn't go into to much detail in fear that I would lose my job. I told him what I felt was necessary and what I thought could affect my performance and even my attendance.

My job description mainly consisted of sitting at my desk listening to calls and editing surveys. At first I did really well. But it wasn't long before I had a flare up. I found myself getting up every hour to run to the bathroom. My boss tried to be understanding and was lenient at the beginning. I managed to keep my job for about six months before I got sick enough that I had to be admitted to the hospital. I didn't go into work for almost a week. I communicated with my boss on a daily basis while I was in the hospital but it eventually got to the point where I had to be let go. The hardest part of losing my job was the humiliation. Everyone knew why I was let go. Ulcerative Colitis can be an embarrassing disease so I hadn't told my co-workers what my disease entailed. The friends that I did make were understanding while I worked with them but none of them stayed in touch with me once I left work. I felt discriminated against but couldn't do much about it. I knew that this was something I would have to deal with for the rest of my life so I couldn't let losing one job dictate the rest of my decisions or I would never get anywhere.

I've decided to be honest about my disease with my employers and my co-workers but only to the point that's necessary. Even if they are knowledgeable about Ulcerative Colitis it's not necessary to share the details of your personal life or how you deal with the disease. The most important thing is to not let anyone else's opinions dictate what you're going to do or what you're not going to do. Although I have to deal with the symptoms on a daily basis I've learned to be more optimistic and am learning to live my life as if I don't have this disease.

Since then I've tried to go back to work on several occasions. This past year has been difficult as my disease has left me in the hospital more often than not. I've had four surgeries since the year started but I haven't let it control my life. My health now is improving and I'm back in the market looking for work. For the moment I've found work that I can do from home and am also going back to school. I find that staying active and leading a life that is not stressful emotionally keeps me in remission for longer periods of time. Although school and work can be stressful keeping myself busy takes my focus away from my disease and I seem to stay happier. As hard as it may be being positive and optimistic will only make you stronger.