Posted by Chet (192.31.86.34) on December 01, 1999 at 10:47:17:
In Reply to: the workplace and clusters posted by Susan on December 01, 1999 at 09:50:08:
I've been working in the defence industry for 25
years with the beast as a guest for 20...Currently I have
a deal with our medical department to fill my 'e'
tank while at work..This happens every couple of
weeks depending on the frequency of the HA's. It used
to be every few months til I became Chronic.
I've been lucky in that I have few attachs during
work hours..The reason Medical is filling my tank
is that about three years ago I had a period where
I was having 4 0r 5 a day at work and using the
O2 in Medical. The head of the Med dept thought
that was disruptive and cut me off..I went to
my Division head and told him it wasn't disruptive
(which it wasn't, as the nurses just pointed me at a
room/e tank and away i went with my own mask etc.)
and he worked out the deal where I supply the tank and
they fill it..
Prior to this I simply would disappear for a half
hour and pace wherever I could find a dark place..
I am lucky in that my company works with the
Fed. Gov. and is sensitive to disability type
situations in the work place and I was not the
first to have O2 at work..I know this may not be
much help to you but it does show that there are
companies that will work with us(not much help to
those who don't work for one...).
I have two 'e' tanks that I own and have one at work
and one in my truck. This allows me to get air from
work with or with out a script, They think if I
have a tank I must have script..Each of our situations
is different so you just have to poke around til
you find a way to get some help. I still have days
that I stay home (sick leave) but with O2 at work
they are few compared to the pre-oxygen days..
Hope you find a way, and stay pain free!!!!