Does epilepsy count as a disability?

[eLiu]

I have "absence epilepsy" (also known as petit mal). When scholarships, graduate institutions, and/or employers give me the option of listing disabilities, does this count? If so, should I list it?

I don't have a problem providing the info, but I'd like to hear the general wisdom on this question.

Thanks,
-Eric

 

[RichardE]

My mother obtained Canadian disability when she was first diagnosed with epilepsy. Though she had active seizures. Also she eventually developed MS as well.

Not sure how much that helps, but meh.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Do they have a need to know? I have several disabilities (through VA), but I tell my employers those that they need be concerned about. As far as I'm concerned, it is none of their business unless it pertains to them for a specific reason.

As far as if it counts as a disability, yes it does.

 

[eits]

absolutely

 

[Saint Michael]

If being a fatass is a disability then I'm sure you can work out an understanding with your abscence epilepsy.

 

[nanette1985]

Petit mal is an older term. What's your current diagnosis? Also, absence seizures is a symptom, not a diagnosis - asbense seizures occur in many different types of epilepsy.

The real question is, how disabled are you? Do you drive? Do you take medication, and does the medication work? Are you at risk of blacking out at random times - how many injuries do you have? Do you know in advance that you're going to have a seizure or do you "wake up" and realize that you had one? How often do you seize?

Are you on any type of disability payments or supplementary insurance? Are all your friends and co-workers aware of it? Do you have to think about how your system will react before doing anything?

My take is that if you can ask the question, you don't need to put it down as a disability.

The real answer, however, is to ask your doctor. If you don't need to work with a doctor or medical specialist on a regular basis, then the answer is no.

 

[Mallow]

If they occur often I'd let them know. You don't want your boss thinking you are staring off into space all the time!

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: Mallow
If they occur often I'd let them know. You don't want your boss thinking you are staring off into space all the time!

LOL, that would suck.

Boss: "Hey why aren't you working? Listen to me! Damnit look at me when I'm talking to you!!"
Co-worker: "Oh hey boss, he's just having a seizure. Here, take all his pens. He totally hates that when he comes out of it. Hilarious."

 

[ZzZGuy]

A while ago at the collage i went to, a person with epilepsy didn't inform anyone of his condition, so they let him have a tour of the machine shop. One look at a spinning layth and he went stiff as a board, if a teacher wasn't in the right spot buddy would have hit his head off another spinning layth and turned his brains into mash potato.

So do you think you need to inform them?

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: eLiu
I have "absence epilepsy" (also known as petit mal). When scholarships, graduate institutions, and/or employers give me the option of listing disabilities, does this count? If so, should I list it?

I don't have a problem providing the info, but I'd like to hear the general wisdom on this question.

Thanks,
-Eric

Yes, it counts.

 

[VimPat]

I have Grand Mal seizures regularly from every few weeks to every few months or so, I've applied for disability and gotten denied. Notify your employer if you feel comfortable, just make sure he doesn't fire you and and find something else to blame n it on (ie. performance).

 

[Whisper]

As someone else mentioned, if the seizures aren't well-controlled via medication, and it's something that impacts your daily functioning, then you'll definitely want to inform them.

However, if you've been on an antiepileptic medication and you've been seizure-free for years, it'd probably be more of a judgment call on your part. I'd likely still disclose just to be safe, but that's just me.

 

[HAL9000]

In the UK it definitely does.

 

[zinfamous]

hmm. OP never updated, 4 years later.

 

[Harvey]

Searching Google for grand mal qualify disability finds a lot of links indicating that grand mal epilepsy qualifies as a disability under the law.

 

[zerocool84]

In the UK it definitely does.

The whole UK is one big disability.

 

[Squisher]

I have Grand Mal seizures regularly from every few weeks to every few months or so, I've applied for disability and gotten denied. Notify your employer if you feel comfortable, just make sure he doesn't fire you and and find something else to blame n it on (ie. performance).

The federal government and any insurance company will deny just about ALL claims. You lawyer up and appeal. Lawyers will take 1/3 of any back pay owed when it comes to SS. I'd like to see an example of the people they will approve on the first try, likely severed heads on medical life support. Although, they'd probably say you could still answer phones.

 

[eLiu]

Wow this is quite the necro. VimPat, how did you dig this thread back up? lol

I'll go ahead and respond to some of the other ancient posts, haha

princess_ida: Yeah I know petit mal is an older term. I actually don't recall what my formal diagnosis is, but the phrase "petit mal" stuck in my mind... so I just use that. I think more people are familiar with it anyway.

And yeah I did end up informing employers/fellowships/etc. The seizures aren't well-controlled (but they're not that frequent either). When they occur they can mess w/my performance. Like if I have a seizure I feel extremely tired, can't think clearly and will end up with a migraine if I don't nap right away. So that can be a problem if I was supposed to be at a meeting or something.

Gooberlx2: Don't steal my pens you ass

 

[brianmanahan]

are they localized or generalized? if theres a foci you could try having it removed

 

[eLiu]

are they localized or generalized? if theres a foci you could try having it removed

It starts in a local-ish area and quickly spreads when the conditions are right or something like that.

A lobotomy is about the last thing I would consider for this. I don't even like taking meds b/c they make me tired & think less clearly.

 

[nanette1985]

Wow this is quite the necro.
I'll go ahead and respond to some of the other ancient posts, haha

And yeah I did end up informing employers/fellowships/etc. The seizures aren't well-controlled (but they're not that frequent either). When they occur they can mess w/my performance. Like if I have a seizure I feel extremely tired, can't think clearly and will end up with a migraine if I don't nap right away. So that can be a problem if I was supposed to be at a meeting or something.

Hey, great to hear from you! Hoping things continue to go well.

My autistic kid was born with seizures so I know a lot about dealing with that, and I also know about how complicated the disability business is. You want to get the right amount of help and consideration, but going for full disability assistance can be a full time job itself, frustrating and timeconsuming - as others have noted here. Glad to hear that you've worked things out for now.

Keep up the good news! My kid has pretty much stopped the seizures in the couple years since your post BTW, whew.