I am an almost 65 yr old special education teacher, was diagnosed with PMR last December, and worked through the school year. It was a struggle. And my evaluation suffered because this was all new to me. One class was an incredible struggle, and my evaluator used that class as her primary "evidence" of my being partially effective.
I did let the district know I had a disability that qualified for Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations, but I was still trying to figure it out.
For those of you who are working with PMR and prednisone, what kind of accommodations have worked for you? Do you have any advice for me for the next school year?
I entered education later in life. I don't think I retire yet. However, I do meet the years requirement for disability, but I don't know if PMR is such a qualifier.
I was a sped teacher and sped administrator. I had teachers with accommodations who were diagnosed with fibromyalgia. PMR can go into remission and/or burn itself. As you probably know you will be on prednisone for at least two years with a slow taper. Hopefully you are pain free with the pred doing its work but have the side effects to deal with. You might need an accommodation to deal with fatigue and inform the appropriate people that a flare is possible and what to expect if that happens. You should not be evaluated negatively if the PMR affects your mobility in the classroom.
OH, my goodness, Candace. I am a retired teacher, I cannot even imagine the stress of teaching and having PMR on top of that. I also entered teaching later in life. I was 42 my first year of teaching and retired when I was 66. I had been a stay-at-home mom, so had the best of both lives. Special Ed would require more of you than I can imagine. I do hope you can work something out. Some states have better union representtions. I know that the unions have been broken in many states leaving teahers without anyone to turn to. I am in California and would have received a great deal of help. Do you have an aide? I would think that you would have an aide just because you are special ed. Do you do a pull-out program, Special Day? I am sure sorry that your evaluation was based upon one less than usual classroom. Not sure what help I can offer, but just hope that you are able to get thorugh another year with less pain and more empathic feelings from those around you. Wishing you the very best. You have come to a wonderful forum for help. Donna
Thank you! I teach math/pre-algebra to moderate needs students in high school. And I started teaching in 2004.
Unfortunately, I am in a district whose schoolboard is dominated by right wing conservatives who effectively dis-empowered the union. But I still joined the union. I will be talking to them in July for advice. I have also sent email to my husband on the school server that I will lawyer-up if things go south. There is a rumor that they look at our emails. (Paranoia runs deep, right?) I tried to get a para in my worst class last year, but none of those students required such assistance, so I couldn't get one.
Sadly, two teachers are now suing the district due to their not getting accommodations. One has since died from cancer.
Personally, I think filing a complaint through the state's Office of Civil Rights is scarier to a district than a lawsuit. As a special educator, I've seen the "damage" OCR can do. And I want to be prepared to follow this path if so needed.
Unions are good, except the majority right-wing conservatives on this board dis-empowered the union when they took power. I still joined because I need their advice.
I'll be in touch as to who you know for advice in the US.
OH, my goodness. High school has got to be much more stressful. I taught mostly third grade in elementary school. I had a broad range of abilities, I even had a GATE cluster. I did not have an aide, but didn't feel the need for one. I don't know what I would have done had I had PMR while teaching. No Child Left Behind and a bout of AFib made me retire, but I was 66 and had taught for 24 years. I have an MA and the pay scale is pretty good in. S. California, so that has worked out. I am guessing that you will need to teach for a while to perhaps hit 20 years. I think reporting to the state is a very good idea. Also call the ADA. You can find info for contacting them online. You need to have a paper trail. I smiled at the paranoia part. LOL Good luck to you. Keep me posted. If I can help, I will . Donna
I teach SEN and since I went back after my first major flare, generally it has been OK. I am often the last teacher to reach a room as I have to pace myself to cross the relatively small campus, I try to avoid the hoards on the corridors so wait until they are settled. The management has just accepted it. I have not ask for any special consideration and have managed without......keep the faith Candace, it will get better and don't let them get you down!
I was off work for six months when I was first diagnosed. I made 3 attempts to go back to work but failed each time. Third time I went back to work under accomodation. I had a sit stand work station ordered for me and it worked well. It lets you move around more. I also attended 12 occupational health sessions for work hardening. They teach you ways to make life easier at work and home. Im Canadian and as far as disabilities go PMR is not.really recognized. It helped to be identified at work but as far as staying off on disability the insurance companies just want you back at work and wont pay. About 9 months after I got back to work my position was done away with (senior financial advisor) and I was let go. Im 59 and really happy I will just retire. That being said I have been working at the same place for over 30 years so my pension is good. For people with less years and who want to work I think it will be hard and you will have to fight for your rights.
I can't imagine working. I was teaching classes to adult immigrants who already had master and Phd degrees and it required me to do alot of 1 on 1 work editing their work as well as working with companies for futer employment for them.
It was very stressful then and no way could i do it now with my brain fog let alone my waves of fatigue. I was suffering with major back problems before leaving work and just major fatigue which caused me stress so my dr. Had me go off for 3 months and during this time my symptoms got worse and was diagnosed.
I asked for a better chair and they made it very difficult and never got it. My direct boss was not very accommodating.
I am 56 and an Early Childhood teacher. At this point, I'm no longer teaching, but am office manager for a private preschool, infant through Pre-K. My job is very active, averaging 5 - 7 miles daily up and down the hallways, lifting children, laundry, trash bags, etc. The plus is that I'm never sitting for too long or on my feet for too long. The owner and director have been fabulous about accomodating me. Of course, they'd be sunk without me, and know it!
My director tries very hard to not use me in the classroom, when we're short staffed, they don't let me lift anything, and most importantly, I now work just a half day on Wednesdays, which helps me make it through the week. 5:30am - 10am, so I really have most of the day for rest.
Financially, I need to work, so I've really had to slow down in my off time. It means I miss a lot on evenings and weekends, really have to be mindful of preserving energy for the work week. Pacing, pacing, pacing.... It has helped to share the Spoon Theory wtih family. They understand if I don't have enough spoons.
The brain fog is tough. And last year, I had good days and bad days -- but I only took one sick day for PMR. I am blessed in that my principal had 25 years experience with prednisone, but my supervising administrator is not as sympathetic. I may be going to him a lot this year.