My personal experience began almost thirty years ago when I was unable to lift myself from bed without help and had lost vision in one eye. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and my life would never be the same.
Over the years, the disease was relatively mild and manageable but I continually made decisions large and small, based on my health. This was particularly true regarding my career.
Then, 15 years after the initial diagnosis, I was hospitalized with a second auto immune disease, ulcerative colitis. I had two young children, a husband and a successful, demanding career.
Getting my health under control was a major challenge. When I was physically able to return to work, however, I confronted an equally daunting challenge. How could I continue to be professionally successful with a disabling disease that got in the way of my ability to perform?
At the same time this disabling condition meant I faced new concerns:
- How do I talk about this and when?
- How do I manage my tasks when I can barely manage my health?
- How do I plan my career when I can't even plan for tomorrow?
There were few resources to guide me. I resented that most books (and caregivers) advocated that stress is bad, work is stressful and people with chronic illness should stop working. Many of us don't view that as the only option. I certainly don't.
Through trial and error I reached the point where I could once again thrive in my work. My experience living and working with chronic illness has become my inspiration and forms the core of my work with others.
Here are a few things that I have learned:
- Illness, like any type of adversity, is best dealt with when viewed as a challenge to be met.
- A clear vision of where you are and where you want to be gives you the strength and clarity to move forward.
- Workplace success in the face of illness is transforming. It gives you the power and the confidence to face other challenges large and small.
At the time of my diagnosis, my neurologist predicted that my illness would teach me a valuable life lesson: Illness enables you to see clearly what matters.
And to that, I add a lesson of my own: illness does not preclude professional or personal success.
