Professional Services

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘disability’?

Generally, people think of physical and/or mental disabilities. However, a person may have an educational, economic, social, and/or cultural challenge perceived by themselves and others as a disability.

People with one or more of these challenges are not accepting the assumption that they are disabled and therefore not capable of performing the tasks expected of other employees.

The lack of education and understanding of the gifts and talents, the capacity human beings have for adaptability makes me think that perhaps educators, policy makers, and employers are the ones with a disability.

There is a key to deciding if the employer refuses to have an employee perceived as disabled. It results from careful exploration of the situation and answering the question, ‘Is this employee capable of fulfilling his duties if the workstation/workplace is adapted to meet his needs?’

The answer results from open and direct communication between the employer and employee. It is also based on the two parties fulfilling their obligations. Every employee is expected to “…comply with the applicable occupational health standards and with all orders, rules and regulations applicable to his or her own actions and conduct. It shall be the responsibility of every employer to maintain a healthy occupational environment at the workplace in accordance with the applicable occupational health standards.”(Occupational Health Regulation, made under Section 74 of the Health Protection Act, S.N.S. 2004, c. 4) O.I.C. 76-1510 (December 21, 1976), N.S. Reg. 112/76.

You and Your Doctor
by Shirley Soleil

It is important that you develop a good working relationship with your doctor. This involves speaking up for yourself, asking questions and getting good well-thought out answers. It means one on one communication. If you fear your doctor, perceive him as superior to you, an authority that you cannot question, you will not have a good working relationship. Your doctor is a human being who chose medicine as his profession. He does not know everything and he knows less about your body than you.

The most important part of a good working relationship is communication of symptoms and how illness affects you. Remember your illness, whether CFS, FMS or EI is relatively unknown. They have not discovered a definite cause for it. Therefore, no cure has been discovered either. These are chronic illnesses that your doctor may know little about and you have to be responsible for educating him. This is an unfortunate but definite fact of life for a lot of you.

Tell your physician all of your symptoms. Write them down in detail so that you do not have to depend on faulty memory. This ensures that the doctor will be able to rule out other possible medical problems as well as making him aware of all your symptoms.

The physician needs to be aware of how much you are affected by the illness; physically, emotionally and mentally. This makes it easier for him to offer the most appropriate treatment, i.e. medication for pain, counseling for dealing with grief, help around the house because you are disabled by illness, pain or fatigue.

Your doctor is an ally when applying for Canada Pension or insurance claims. He needs to give detailed information. You have to give it to him and make sure he writes it down. It is not enough to give generalized statements. Specific description of medical problems is required.

If you are not happy with your doctor, his attitude, lack of knowledge, or poor communication you need to consider a change. This will be difficult for three reasons: emotionally you are dependent on the doctor and may feel you're letting him down, he knows your situation, if you go to another you need to start all over again educating him about "you", and there is often a lack of doctors taking new patients. But give it serious consideration. You deserve good care from an understanding compassionate person who is willing to learn about you and about the illness.

If you wish to find out more about doctors in your area please contact: 902-582-5862 We have a referral list.

Many times I am asked "Should I go to a lawyer when I am dealing with an insurance claim or CPP disability?". I respond the same way regardless of who is asking. If you are applying or have been turned down for either, a lawyer can be of service. In other words, no matter where in the process you are, a lawyer can be helpful.

The reasons I answer this way are as follows:

1. A lawyer takes on the burden for you. You fill out all of the papers, gather all of the medical reports from the doctors/specialists (sometimes your lawyer will do this), then it is up to the lawyer to field all of the questions from insurance companies and the Canada Pension boards. (Usually lawyers get involved if you have applied and have been turned down for CPP or insurance benefits.)
2. The lawyer knows what information is needed to help your case. He can see issues you do not see. He is not intimidated by the so-called authorities as you may be.
3. A lawyer can give you emotional support. If you have suffered from others' doubts about your illness, especially at the hands of authorities (i.e. your doctor), having a lawyer, an authority say "I accept you are ill and I will help you fight for what you deserve as your right" can be very good for your damaged emotions. Acceptance by the lawyer can help release you from part of the emotional burden.