你如何用风湿关节炎全日制地工作？
题：
我读了all of these RA (rheumatoid arthritis) patients that are very motivated about being able to work full-time and possibly even a part-time job. The pep talks are really great, but the reality for a lot of us is that it is just not an option. Is it just me or are there others out there that feel the same? I do not receive any type of disability, just trying to readjust our way of living. Could there be a difference in the degree of one's own disease that would affect one's ability to work a full-time job? I battle with RA and fibromyalgia. When I read these posts, I sometimes can't help but feel like: What is wrong with me? Is it just me? Does anybody else feel this way? What kind of jobs do people with RA have?
~ Frustrated!!!
回答
亲爱的沮丧，
I am sorry to hear that you are struggling so much with work. I completely understand — in a world where the first question you’re asked is “What do you do?” it can be difficult to maintain your self-esteem when you have trouble working.
Many people with RA are in the same boat. It’s a progressive condition, which untreated can lead to disability that can prevent you from working. But there are things you can do to make it easier to keep your job.
Tools can keep you working
The first way to help you keep working is treating your RA. There are many medication options now, which means that most rheumatologists use a fairlyaggressive approach to treatment。这意味着更多的人比以往任何时候都更好。（这解释了所有你听到谁仍然工作的人。）你可能想和你的医生谈谈治疗方案，可以帮助你感觉更好。
帮助您继续工作的其他工具是工作场所住宿。Legally, your employer is required to accommodate you. By changing the way you work to make the job physically easier for you, it may be possible for you to stay in your job. Examples of accommodations include flexible work hours, the ability to work from home, an ergonomic workstation, a parking place near the front entrance, the ability to take frequent rests, and much more. You can check the Job Accommodation Network website for more information.
考虑不同类型的工作
You may want to consider changing what you do. For instance, if your current work is very physical, you may look for a job that is more mental and can be done at a desk. If you work for a large company, your human resources department may be able to help you with professional development courses or a transfer.
你也可能考虑回到学校。That can sound daunting, especially if you’ve been out of school for decades, but it can be a good investment in your continued ability to work. As someone with a chronic illness, you are also entitled to accommodations at school. This can include longer time to take tests, taking classes part-time instead of full-time, help with notetaking, and more.
People who can’t work in an official job because of their chronic illness are not stuck doing nothing. Many of us have found a way to keep working by thinking creatively. I haven’t been able to work for someone else for a long time, but I am now self-employed as a writer and author, which I can fit around the requirements of my chronic illness. You may have skills that you can utilize to create your own career.
Accepting your inability to work can be a relief
At the end of the day, though, sometimes you have to accept that the time has come for you to stop working. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this. If your RA has progressed to the point that you no longer have the energy or ability to work, your best option may be toapply for disability。它可能是一个艰难的选择，但它也可能是一个不再需要推动自己做某事的救济，这使得你无法享受你的生活。
您应该知道：上面的答案提供了一般健康信息，不旨在取代合格的医疗保健专业人员的医疗建议或治疗建议。
