Returning to Work

Hi Jennifer, you may find this video from Shannon about returning to work helpful.

Hi Jennifer,

Well done on getting to this point. 

This is a question that comes up a lot, to disclose or not. It is a personal decision. You might find these resources from the Young Stroke website on work helpful. Bec and I discuss disclosure in the first video and Bec also shares some great blogs.

https://young.strokefoundation.org.au/life-topic/vocation

If you want additional support with returning to work don't hesitate to contact StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm AEDT).

Best wishes, 

Simone

Hi Jennifer,  how exciting to see your recovery progressing. 

I had my stroke while I was at work and it was my employer that called the ambulance.  Returning was made much easier because of this. 12 months later I applied for a new job which was full time. I disclosed in the interview my concerns about fatigue. I got the job and my manager was great in gently monitoring with me my energy levels.

My greatest concern was learning new processes. I struggled with some memory issues and anxiety/depression, oh and tears but 1 1/2 years later it's fantastic. I'm not treated as if I can't do something but there are adjustments that have been made. Disclosing my stroke experience allows me to do my job and not pretend like I'm the person I was before. Best of luck.

Hi Jennifer,

Here is some more advice from the community:

Nela

First of all, congrats Jennifer Such great news and soon you’ll start to feel like you’re getting a part of your old self back!!! It’s hard living with an invisible illness, even if people know you have it. Because they don’t see it, it’s not “real” to them. Maybe reassess how you feel after the first few shifts. If necessary, it would be worthwhile to tell the employer. However, you are under no obligation to do so. If you are not ready yet, definitely do not. If there is no impact on your work and your fatigue from doing those shifts, you don’t need to. Hope that helps. Good luck 

natalie.swiatek

I’m going through something similar. I was working in a primary school as a kindergarten educator when I went off due to having had my stroke at home. I’ve kept in touch with my principal and my coworkers and have on occasion visited the school where I was able to read to the current kindergarten students and visit with former students as well as my own children. I don’t see them as much as I’d like to as I’m currently living in long term care. At the end of my visits I’m tired but they’re very rewarding and the students are all very kind and respectful. The little ones ask about the booboo in my head but the older ones, we are a K to 12 school, just take it in stride like it’s been the norm all along.

twistedpony64

First off congrats !

shuzzii

Tell them - be proud, not shameful of your experience.

Meri

Congrats on the job. Imo, your private medical info is just that, private - unless you want to share, if you believe it may affect your role. I did share my stroke history as I too suffered invisible disability and believed by sharing my history, they would understand, if and when I needed time out and it has worked out for me. It's not in retail though so I don't know how that works. But do what you feel is right for you and decide if and who you'd share your history with. It could just be to your direct manager and not other colleagues. Sometimes I also feel it's an opportunity to educate others about the effects of stroke but only if you're ready to talk openly about it. Good luck with the job.

cindymcmutrie

I also have invisible symptoms. I tried to resume my post stoke work, but failed . It was more of an administration job with multi task demands. I am now in retail pharmacy and love it and love the people i work with. I did tell them my history. I felt a need to be upfront. I only do approx 20 hours per week and feel fatigue wise that is enough for me . All the very best to you x

sam

Congratulations ! When I started my new job I told only my immediate boss of my stroke ( I have a slight limp and some minor coordination issues with my left hand ) so it was obvious I had some condition . My manager advised our GM and went no further - it wasn’t necessary. As time has gone a couple of my coworkers became a little more comfortable in asking about my leg ( apologising if I was offended) so I told them . I’ve had no problems at all

beckytdjoness

Congrats Jennifer! I started a casual role about 12months post stroke as well but as a primary school learning assistant. Not the same as retail but maybe sharing my experience could be of some help. I didn’t inform my employer right up about the stroke but I still have mobility issues so I did tell them about that which went great. I chose to wait and see how I would be able to cope overall without sharing the invisible disabilities and was lucky that my job was one I could sign up for a shift the day before/day of. When I’m at work a lot of the kids ask about the brace I wear and I explain what a stroke is in simple terms. Consequently other staff know, but everyone is great. I’ve previously worked retail though and know it’s quite a different role and definitely agree with nela_k88 by seeing how it impacts you. All the best 

Bec

Well done Jennifer! This is a massive achievement! No further advise Nela has said it beautifully

From Duncan: Yes tell them. Congratulations on getting the job, they should be aware from a Health & Safety aspect but also to demonstrate that they can trust you. I had my stroke while I still worked for my employer and my colleagues had to cancel work travel plans I had for the day after my stroke because I was in hospital so there was no hiding it from them. I got back to work then got made redundant, they said it had nothing to do with my stroke! I had several short term contract IT roles since then but none lasted, I was upfront and told them all about my stroke. I've now retired because my Income Protection and TPD Insurance policies have been approved. I think most employers are sympathetic and will appreciate your honesty and cut you some Slack where you might need it. Good luck.

Thank you for sharing to the link to my video Simone, much appreciated!!!

Let me know if you have any questions about anything that isn't covered in my video Jennifer, happy to chat even if it's to share with someone how you are coping with all the changes going on when returning to work.

All the best,

Bec

Wow Shannon returning to work that's wonderful I'm so happy for you. I had my stroke in Aug 2021 my issues were communication, memory and slight left leg weakness. I couldn't speak and didn't understand what people were saying to me it was like my head was empty. Prior to my stroke I was meditating a lot and really enjoyed it. I started to try and meditate to push past the emptiness three days later I got it I understood people again. The speech therapy was a big help I showed my husband the worksheets and he downloaded lots of others so I could continue this therapy as I am a very motivated person I was work-sheeting for eight hours a day. The ladies that I shared a room with were fantastic they would ask me things and help me to answer so after 5 days I was ready to go home I could understand people and I could talk. The hospital asked my to stay another week which I agreed to. I experienced a minor stroke six months later.   

I really want to go back to work but I'm scared of being fired or worst yet being embarrassed I just wish someone would agree to let me work to see if I could return to work. Thank you for letting me ramble.