Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | eeek looking into getting work

Hi Vicky

This Shaw Trust sounds kinda cool, if anyone understands your needs and how you'll feel about all of this it's someone who specialises in finding jobs for people with various disabilities.

Just a quick message to give you hope, I've had IBS for a few years now, and got so sick not only did I not work for 18 months, but I barely left the house at all, couldn't even go to the garage opposite our house for a bottle of water, and was in so much pain I rarely slept.

Well, how things change! Out of nowhere I started work back in the first week in October last year - a work acquaintance of my boyfriend Jamie was in need of someone who could work as a Marketing Coordinator for the UK, as well as function as a semi-PA for him. They had to have extensive marketing experience, experience in this particular industry and be highly organised. Luckily J realised I ticked al boxes, and talked about me! So the first thing really my new boss knew about me was my stupid tum, and the limitations I'd have.

After 2 successful interviews I got the job, and have been working there ever since. Though my tum is not mentioned that often, I know the understanding is there if I have a bad day. The office is 35 mins ish car drive away, but (a) I only go to the office 3 days a week, working at home on the others, and when I'm in the office I dont' come in til 10 - which means I miss the morning rush hour, and it takes 35min, not 1hr30min... My boss is perfectly cool with all of this, and it has worked perfectly so far.

I've managed to go to 2 tradeshows in London so far (2.5hrs away), including about 5 nights in hotels for them, have driven to London once IN THE CAR WITH MY BOSS (the ultimate test for me, as nowhere to hide if a prob!) and a couple of weeks ago even did a 2 day business trip over to our German office!!

All in all it's a totally unrecognisable life to the one I was living just 6 months ago. My boss is great, and my workmates all know and understand as well as they can, and give me no hassle about it. No-one cares that I dont' come in til 10am, and everyone understands why.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am by no means stable yet - I do this by a combination of Imodium (though I'm down from 8 tablets to get to work to 2 or 3, which is fab), eating well on the days I'm in the office (I usually do Mon, Tue, Fri, so I have some room for treats on the other 4 days) and knowing my body well enough to give it what it needs when it needs it, both food, rest & medication wise. I stll have hassles, still spend much time on the loo before long journeys or stressful events, and still use Imodium as my crutch.

But the thing is, despite all this I'm still living, and working. I see friends, have had nights out at restaurants/bars, and have been to a few of my beloved hockey matches. Maybe it'll never get any better, and I'll always have to make these special allowances - but since I'm doing what i want IN SPITE OF THE IBS PROBLEMS, I'm still doing it - and for that I'm proud, happy & thankful.

The guys on here, and their variosu success stories, gave me the strength to think that I could possibly do this, after 18 months spent hiding in the house, and now hoepfully I can help you a tiny bit in that way too. I'm living proof that, even if you haven't yet got all your symptoms under control, even if you never do - you can still live, love and work.

And I'm embarrassed to say, I'm blissfully happy!

(Could do with a holiday though - that's just one of my few IBS-restricted hurdles left to jump!)

Keep us posted chuck, and best of luck to ya!

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http://ibsblondie13.blogspot.com/

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