aproitz
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Been on RA for years. May be ending soon. Not sure what to do.
I have several health issues and injuries that result in chronic pain. Due to this, I was granted an RA to work from home several years ago. Boss is happy with my productivity. He’s given me the freedom to take breaks when I need to as I’ve proven that ,y work gets done. There’s never been a problem until RA renewal this year. Now suddenly, the office that decides this is pushing back. Last year, I moved a few hours away from my office and bought a new house. Then my office moved to a different location. One way to my office is 2-2.5 hours by car. There is no public transportation where I live (very rural area.) When I sub,it tee my paperwork for the renewal, they suggested that they could provide some things that do not help me at all; such as a standing desk. I have severe neuropathy in my legs and can’t stand for very long. I also can’t sit for long as I have several bulging and herniated discs in my lumbar and cervical regions. I also have stenosis and degenerative disc disease. So several times per day, I need to lie down n my ice pack due to severe back pain. Additionally, I do PT exercises a few times each day. My amazing boss has told me to do whatever I need to do to take care of myself. We’ve never had a problem until now. But he is very supportive of me continuing to work from home. When I explained to the medical people why I need to work from home (along with forms and a letter from my doctor) I added that driving round trip would be about 5.5-6 hours each day-which is absurd for a healthy person. But with my issues, I literally can’t do that. But even if I could physically do that each day, I would have to either just be in pain all day, or drive Nader the influence as I take prescription opioids and muscle relaxers. These meds are helpful as the pain. Can be unbearable at times. Some days, those pills are literally the difference in me working or taking sick leave. The medical people chose to ignore everything and suggest that they send me to an alternative office location to work. I explained again that as there is no public transportation in my tiny rural town, that would still require driving. But even if I had public transportation, I shouldn’t have to do my PT exercises or take breaks to lie on my ice pack in a cubicle surrounded by coworkers. The response from the medical people was, “thank you for the additional information. I am meeting with the branch chief next week and we will discuss alternative office locations that are closer to your house.” So it sounds like the inevitable is coming. I consulted three attorneys about filing for disability retirement and all three said I have a very strong case. I asked my doctor if she would complete the forms required for disability retirement. To my surprise, she said she can’t because the office where she works has a policy that none of the doctors will support a disability retirement for their patients. She happily did the forms for my reasonable accommodation but will not support me for disability. I suppose I should try to find a new doctor but as I live in a very rural area, there aren’t many options without traveling to a neighboring town. I’m wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation? My thought is, I would have to establish a relationship with a new doctor. I don’t imagine any doctor would agree to support a disability retirement on the first meeting. But maybe I’m wrong? Just seems like an impossible situation. I even asked one of the attorneys if their firm had a doctor they consult. Not to try to cheat or anything. Just a doctor who would agree to look over my records and examine me and give his or her opinion. But the attorney said they don’t work with any doctors. Just wondering what others think. Should I just start making appointments with new doctors and try to get some sort of regular relationship and then ask? Is it normal to ask this of a new doctor who I’ve not seen before? I’m just not sure what to do. I’m confident that they’re going to demand I turn up at the office each day and that’s just not possible. I’m like everyone else; I have bills. But driving everyday and being in office all day just isn’t possible. I’m pretty disgusted with the whole thing. My boss is happy with my work. I get everything done. No one is complaining about me…but they seem determined to force this. If they do, I guess I have to resign. I really hate this situation. Would appreciate any suggestions or advice-especially anyone who may have been in this situation. I’m just not sure what to do.
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