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---------- > Fra: Clay Felts <[log in to unmask]> > Til: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]> > Emne: When do you quit? > Dato: 28. maj 1997 08:10 Hello Clay, thats a very interesting subject you have chose, and I`ll try to reply in my best English ( I`m a Dane). > > When do you quit working? It seems to me that there are many factors > and many people involved in a decision to quit working because of > Parkinson's. For example: > > * Self - This is ultimately the most important person in a > decision to quit working. You make it on how you feel, what are your > finances, what physical or psychological benefits you get from working, > and what impact you will have on your family. * In my case I could feel very soon that I couldn`t work anymore, but before i decided to stop working as a nursing aid I was re-educated to have a job at an office as a clerk, which I had been for twenty years before I educated me to work at the hospital as a nurcing aid. I`m a widow andhave an adopted son from BanglaDesh (34 years old) so Ineeded only to think about my needs and not the family. > * Employer - Should judge your contribution but what are the laws > related to people with handicaps? Do they apply here? If you are asked > to leave before you wish, how do you fight it? * I HADto leave because I was too ill because of PD, and went to a commercia shiool for a eyar where I had sallery from the state, and after the examen I was offered a "protected" job - but the disease had increased, in fact I was too ill. > * Doctor - Should be on your side. Does your doctor get involved > in deciding if you are disable? * Both my GD and my Neurologist told me to stop. What criteria are used? Does the > doctor help insurance companies, the state and Social Security decide if > you are disable? * Both the state Social Security and my private insurace only had to ask the doctores, and it wasn`t a problem to be retired, and I became pension from the first day. > * Disability Insurance Company - Not on your side. How do they > decide on a disability claim? How do you get what is fair? * I havn`t had any problems. ( I don`t quite understand this question) > * Social Security - Can you retire early with Parkinson's and > collect disability from Social Security? * There is no differens between "normal" disease an PWP in Denmark. > > I would like to hear from some people who had to make such a decision. > What steps did you go through? What did you learn that might help > others who are following you? * It was a strange feeling to stop working and of course I often said to my self : IT IS NOT ME - but on the other hand I was so ill that I COULN`T stand to work. Since my husband died 10 years ago it was an important part of my life to work. In Denmark we have some very good LOCALCENTRE for retired, and I join my center 4-5 times a week. In fact I have prepared me for about 5 years because as a nursing aid I have seen to much suffering when people hasn`t done that. I retired 2 1/2 years ago- and to day I`m a HAPPY RETIRED. My financiel situation is very good, because I have a high pension from my husband, and because I was a nursing aid I have pension from this society, and I have the state-pension. We are paying high taxes in Denmark, but it has not been necessary for me to move from my house, sell my car it`s a great luck. I was diagn. 3 1/2 years ago, but have hade PD for 9 years. I can only talk for myself - but I believe it`s better stop working when you are feeling your PD increase because of e.g. stress. Clay, I hope my replyes are OK. Best regards from Sonia Nielsen, Denmark 58/ 3 1/2 (9) NEVER GIVEUP