5 Tricks I Use to Manage My Career As a Chronically Ill Person

5 Tricks I Use to Manage My Career As a Chronically Ill Person Managing an autoimmune disorder can feel like asecond job albeit a job that has zero pay and terrible benefits.Just after my 15th birthday, a doctor diagnosed me with Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM) an autoimmune disorder that causes muscle tissue and skin to inflame. Fortunately, symptoms become virtually nonexistent when treated properly, but the body can sporadically turn unruly even with appropriate attention.Since entering the workforce, Ive learned a few lessons that keep the job of being a sick person from overtaking my actual job. Here are some tips to keep in mind when working while chronically ill1) Disclose to the Appropriate ChannelsIm relatively young and healthy looking, so without documentation, no one would ever guess anything is wrong with me. Documenting your illness with menschengerecht Resources or whoever the appropriate channels are at your workplace is an important first step that will make the mov es below much easier.2) Ask for Necessary AccommodationsI pride myself on my low-maintenanceness, so inconveniencing anyone makes me cringe. But if you need an arrangement made to make you more comfortable, ask for it. For me, this meant having a fluorescent desk lamp that triggered skin inflamation replaced during my first week. Its better to ask for what you need than to spend months or years suffering in silence.3) Make Your Doctor AppointmentsAnd Keep ThemIf reading that makes you think, wow, keeping appointments you make...groundbreaking, then honestly, good for you. For me, the thought of missing class or work for any reason made me so anxious, I felt like it was easier to just roll the dice and hope my body kept itself together than to let anyone down with my absence.Breaking doctor appointments because I didnt want to miss class was a nasty habit that I carried with me into the workplace. When something feels off, call your doctor, and when you appointment date arrives, actu ally go. One of the most helpful things Ive learned regarding this goal is to...4) Inform Your Boss the Day You Make An AppointmentRip the Band-Aid off. Email or call your babo as soon as your appointment is scheduled so you arent tempted to back out later. This has beencrucialin treating my own illness. Its considerate to give as much notice as possible so any necessary adjustments can be made for your absence, and you wont have to worry about forgetting to ask later or run the scenarios of being told no around in your mind.5) Have Your Meds Delivered to Your DoorThe last thing I want to do after a long day at work is wait in the long line at the pharmacy. Luckily, my insurance company has an option to have prescriptions delivered straight to my mailbox, and it has been a godsend. Saving time and stress is a major game changer for how I manage my JDM.Though living and working with a chronic illness can feel overwhelming, remember to put your health first.--Kayla Heisler is an essay ist and Pushcart Prizenominatedpoet. She is a contributing writer for Color MyBubble.Her work appears inNew Yorks Best Emerging Poetsanthology.