Controlled or uncontrolled disorders can be disabling.

As an advocate for the disabled, I am familiar with many disabilities and know that all can cause problems when it comes to employment. This is especially true for those disorders which may be considered medically controlled. The disorder is still there but its effects are only temporarily alleviated. Because of this most insurers don't make differentiations between disorders in their controlled or their uncontrolled forms. Therefore if you have a controlled disorder you may find that insurers still regard you as a risk either for private insurance and most probably for employment. This is further complicated by a ruling of my countries highest court. It ruled that controlled disorders or mechanically alleviated mobility problems are not disabling and therefore fall outside protection under The Americans With Disabilities Act.

One disorder which may be become controlled is Epilepsy. I am familiar with its employment problems because I had it in its controlled form before ADA. Even with ADA I discovered that I can still be written up as an insurance risk under Title V. Isn't being considered a risk just another way of saying that the person is disabled and unemployable?

Back to Epilepsy. What is it? In medical terms it is a condition in which the neurons of your brain fire indiscriminately. In laymen's it is an electrical surge. If you have a computer, you know what a surge can do to your hard drive. This is similar to what happens in an Epileptic seizure. In its most severe form it can cause one's body to shake and convulse. During such a seizure, the person is usually not aware of what is happening. Many times they may appear to be in a state of deep sleep and are therefore incapable of climbing the walls or inflicting harm. Most times after a severe seizure all they want to do is sleep, not inflict pain.

I have this condition in its controlled form and had it before ADA became law. I can tell you that as long as anyone can be written up as a risk for private insurance-Title V ADA- they most probably will not get employed. Once you are diagnosed with Epilepsy or any disorder which may become controlled, you may find that you are considered a risk for private insurance as well as for employment. You may also discover that ADA offers you no protection because of Title V. Also our Supreme Court's ruling may further hinder you because now you will not have any ADA protection because controlled disorders of mechanically alleviated mobility problems are not

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