I'm now working half-time until November due to the knee recuperation.
I started flaring really bad maybe about 3 years ago which lasted about 9 months, and I lost so much time. My employer tried very hard to terminate me. I didn't have the diagnosis for those 9 months, and every time I'd miss 3-5 days, I could count on coming back to some form of punishment. They took away critical tasks, reassigned me, changed my work schedule while I didn't know what my problem was.
I fought back after I got the diagnosis. I filed an EEO complaint against them based on the Americans With Disabilities act. I also had severe migraines and inflammatory (enteropathic) arthritis. My surgeon (who replaced my knee) actually gave the first diagnosis.
I began to kick @ss and take names after the diagnosis. Finally, during the EEO investigation, I stumbled across this thing called "Reasonable Accommodation (RA)" which is also tied into the ADA act. I changed paths, and pursued RA through the EEO office. My surgeon, my GI, and my neurologist each wrote brilliant letters discribing the extent of my disease and disorders.
When the employer got these letters, they were shocked because the MD's corraborated everything I'd been telling them, and they decided to buy into accommodation. It took me about three months, but I was given Reasonable Accommodation.
The accommodation was to allow me to telework/telecommute from my home on any day that my conditions would flare and I would normally call in sick. My supervisor told me to take my laptop home every night, then I would be prepared. My work laptop is right behind me. I was the first in my office to do this, but now they are offering telecommuting to the whole agency.
Working from home is the perfect solution for Crohn's disease. I'm more productive at home. I'm near the bathroom, I can lay down when I'm fatigued and finish later, and if I have accidents (which I have from time to time) I can shower and change clothes. There was something about the phrase "fecal incontinence" that my GI wrote that really gave my employer the hee-bee gee-bees.
I can't tell you how fortunate I am to have taken the path I did with my employer. Although I busted my tail working to get this break, I'm thankful each day for having this alternative work arrangement.
With an economy like this, you can bet I realize and appreciate this blessing.