WHY IS MY DISABILITY A BURDEN????

I've had epilepsy since the age of 11. I like to think I'm no different than others, but unfortunately, I'm treated differently than others by employers.

While in school for my masters, I suffered a seizure, the instructor asked a student to wheel me into a nearby classroom until I could be retrieved by I.C.E. Employed, I requested accommodations, but my doctor figured out accommodations or not, the room was not safely equipped acceptable for an epileptic or was it a financial burden? Needing special glasses in case of firm alarm, flashing lights.

Later I watched co-workers work overtime when I was told overtime wasn't in the budget. This became a toxic work environment; I was experiencing stress, thoughts of depression, and anxiety. I was written up twice for things others were just passed over for. My second write-up was a final warning, meaning they could've fired me for any reason at any time. I constantly walked around worried about what I was doing, how I was doing it. As the anxiety built so did the seizure activity. When I realized my supervisors were causing stress, depression, anxiety, and increased seizure activity, I requested a mental health break with my employer. I was exhibiting signs of burnout, which included decreased motivation, performance, negative thoughts about myself, emotional and mental exhaustion. I was advised by my therapist to take a mental health break and explained this to my employer. Submitting the requested paperwork, I was harassed daily, and a mental health break was denied. My employer "promotes" mental health breaks for employees but does not assist in the process. I went through my Primary Care Physician, who signed and submitted paperwork, a therapist who signed and submitted paperwork, and a neurologist. Because I'm an epileptic, I'm not entitled to mental health breaks? Are seizures the cause of my mental health breakdown or just a burden to my employer? Yes, I've got a disability, but accommodations, work areas, overtime, what have you don't make me a burden. I work hard for my money, like everyone else, if I've become a financial burden to their establishment, just say so and I'll find other employment. But don't mistreat me because of a disability as a ploy to get me out of your establishment.

Teena Williams720-280-1817Epilepsy