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Learn to Fight for Your Rights!

© Cynthia Webber (Jausten)

I have been on long term disability for the past two years due to my fibromyalgia. Long-term disability is not permanent disability and thus, I have to have my doctor fill out long forms, plus fill out forms myself every 6 months. I had had to apply for permanent disability twice now, and I was rejected the first time, and am waiting to hear the results of my latest submission. I get monthly phone calls from my long term disability provider asking me how I am doing. Basically, they don't want to keep me on long term disability, and are pushing to get me on permanent disability so that they don't have to pay as much to me.

I receive two thirds of the amount of money that I would earn if I was able to work, and although this is better than what others with FMS receive, it still isn't enough to help with my husband's income — plus the increase in the cost of living is not figured into this amount.

I distinctly remember the day when I had to meet with someone from the Worker's Compensation Board, my head nurse, the health & safety officer of the hospital where I worked, and the British Columbia Nurses' Union representative. I had been on short term disability from the Worker's Compensation Board several times due to multiple back injuries, and was on it when I finally accepted the fact that I had fibromyalgia. They did not recognize fibromyalgia as a work-related illness, and I know of only one case where a woman with FMS finally won an appeal from them related to her fibromyalgia, and she had to hire a lawyer in order to be taken seriously about her FMS beginning after a work-related back injury.

I was in excruciating pain throughout my entire body on that meeting day, and was trying to sit in a stuffy room, in a very uncomfortable chair. I was shifting my position constantly, and even had to lie on the floor and stretch my muscles at one point. No doubt they thought I was just being dramatic, but I wasn't. I was in so much pain that I was either going to start crying or just get very angry with all of them. I tried very hard to remain calm as they suggested that I try to work at least 4 hours a day for four days per week for at least a month. I asked them how I was suppose to care for nine patients when I couldn't even sit in the chair for a few minutes, and how was I suppose to give good nursing care when my pain was at such a high level that I couldn't focus on anything except it. They refused to believe that my fibromyalgia could cause as much pain as I said it did, and I have a high tolerance for pain!

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