Today’s blog has been written by fellow ARD warrior, Gemma, about her experiences on living and working with adhesions, and the problems that are faced in the workplace……..
I’m 34 and suffered with chronic pain for 14 years on and off (had some surgeries which brought temporary relief from pain). This pain is caused by internal scar tissue (adhesions) which are as a result of numerous abdominal operations (7 in 14 years).
I work as a medical secretary within the NHS, so you would think that they would be supportive of someone with a chronic illness, especially of someone who is wanting to work. But in fact, recently I have found the opposite to be true.
People ask me why I continue to work when it’s such a struggle for me every day. And wouldn’t it be easier to give up work and claim benefits? My answer is simple, I love what I do, it keeps my mind active even if my body isn’t. It also distracts me. I’m not sat at home 24 / 7 thinking about my pain or getting depressed about the things I cannot do.
The problem I have though is the Sickness Policy that the NHS uses. Allowing only 3 periods of sickness in 12 months (this being 1 day or 1 month, either is classed as a period of sick). Should this target be reached then you are progressed through the “Sickness Management policy”, which they claim is there to offer support, where in reality it causes more stress, and as anyone with chronic pain knows, the more stress you experience then the higher your pain levels increase.
Another part of this policy is the long-term sick, so if you have more than 4 weeks off, once again you are progressed through this policy.
I recently had major surgery and was off work for 4 months to recover, I was progressed through stage 1 and 2 of the policy and then informed that if I did not return to work the following week then I would be progressed to stage 3 of the policy and dismissed.
This sounds all very unfair but this is a nationwide policy within the NHS, to bring down sickness levels and thus improve work attendance, however, people are being dismissed for being off sick and this is now causing people to go to work when they are still unwell, creating a fresh set of problems.
Because I am stubborn, love my job and refuse to give up, I am fighting this and making my voice be heard, not just for me but for everyone who has been unfairly treated through this policy.
I want to work, yes its a struggle and I know there will be a day when I can no longer work, but I want to carry on as long as possible. Surely there should be support for people like me, who want to work but may need the occasional day off because the pain gets too much. I’ve been told I am unable to use annual leave for these day because then my sick cannot be monitored. Sometimes it feels like I am talking to a brick wall.
Although chronic pain is classed as a disability, because it’s not visible and because it’s not life threatening, it seems that many don’t think allowances need to be made.
I’m not asking for anything unreasonable, I’m not asking for endless days off sick, but surely employees should be able to take time off work, if genuinely unwell without fear of losing their job. Especially within the National Health Service, an institution that is there to improve people’s health and general wellbeing.
Diary of Adhesions 