Two very common symptoms across many with Autoimmune Disease are fatigue and joint pain, both of which are “invisible.” Did you know there’s a law that requires an employer to provide reasonable accommodation/s to an employee or job applicant with a disability, unless doing so would cause significant difficulty or expense for the employer (“undue hardship”)? Read on to learn more…
This article provides accurate information based on current research and I am sharing that advice with you. This information may change without the author’s knowledge. It is not intended to provide health or legal guidelines or advice. I am not an attorney, doctor, or medical advisor. Please consult with your doctor and/or attorney before making any health or work-related changes. You are responsible for your actions or lack thereof. Pink Fortitude, LLC nor its owner are responsible or liable for your success or failure. Full disclosure/disclaimer HERE.
What is a Reasonable Accommodation?
A reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment (or in the way things are usually done) to help a person with a disability apply for a job, perform the duties of a job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment.
An employer is required to provide a reasonable accommodation to a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless the employer can show that the accommodation would be an undue hardship — that is, that it would require significant difficulty or expense. Undue hardship means that the accommodation would be too difficult or too expensive to provide, in light of the employer’s size, financial resources, and the needs of the business. An employer may not refuse to provide an accommodation just because it involves some cost. An employer does not have to provide the exact accommodation the employee or job applicant wants. If more than one accommodation works, the employer may choose which one to provide.
For those struggling with fatigue, accommodations might include extra rest periods, reduced hours or the ability to work at home. Your life is not just about your work, and you only have so much energy to expend on any given day. You still need to function during those 16 hours of the day that you are not at your job. Conserving energy is crucial.
According to the Job Accommodation Network, there is no comprehensive list of accommodations that MUST be provided under the ADA. While all AI diseases and symptoms are different, this is a substantial list of reasonable accommodations to help get you started. It is by no means a complete list, but I’ve compiled the top 25 accommodations that are specific to help those with AI:
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Is Autoimmune Disease a disability? This is the million dollar question. The short answer is yes, but it comes with a more complicated explanation. This article is a must-read for anyone with an autoimmune condition, especially if you are working at a full time job.
This article provides accurate information based on current research and I am sharing that advice with you. This information may change without the author’s knowledge. It is not intended to provide health or legal guidelines or advice. I am not an attorney, doctor, or medical advisor. Please consult with your doctor and/or attorney before making any health or work-related changes. You are responsible for your actions or lack thereof. Pink Fortitude, LLC nor its owner are responsible or liable for your success or failure. Full disclosure/disclaimer HERE.
The short answer is that if your autoimmune disease causes certain conditions under the Americans with Disability Act, then yes, you are protected under the law.
The long answer is that it’s a lot more complicated. First of all, I can’t tell you how many individuals I’ve spoken with who have AI, who do not view having an autoimmune disease as a disability. Some of them have been able to manage their conditions and live productive lives without any issues. Some of them are too proud to consider themselves disabled. And that is ok.
It’s a double edged sword. I think the word “disability” sometimes has negative connotations in our society of someone who is not able to perform or function. One of the challenges of having AI is the common occurrence of people saying, “But you don’t look sick.” If you are able to hold down a full time job, but still need some accommodations, your manager or company may not understand the connection. Or you may not view yourself as having a disability, especially compared to someone else with a more visible disability. It’s a change in mindset and education.
The ADA as Amended
Back to the law. The ADA was amended in 2008, and went into effect January 1, 2009. If AI was ever blurry under the law before, these amendments added a new category of major life activities called “major bodily functions,” which specifically includes the endocrine and immune systems.
According to this Amendment, under Section 4, Disability Defined and Rules of Construction, (2) Major Life Activities, (B) Major Bodily Functions, it states, “For purposes of paragraph (1), a major life activity also includes the operation of a major bodily function, including but not limited to, functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions.”
It doesn’t matter how you feel about being considered disabled. It certainly “doesn’t matter” if your employer wants to acknowledge your disability. The language of the law is crystal clear.
If you meet the required conditions under the law, then you are legally protected under the ADA.
“If you have a disability and are qualified to do a job, the ADA protects you from job discrimination on the basis of your disability.” (www.ada.gov)
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Love, hugs, and letting the law do the talking.
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This article and website contain affiliate links and ads which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Any information on this website is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition. Please consult your doctor for medical advice. We believe in conscious capitalism and the American Dream. Full Disclosure Policy, Legal Clause, and Terms and Conditions – Click HERE.
The air is crisp, the leaves are changing colors, and it’s time to grab your boots and go hiking! These are your top essentials to take on your next hike to ensure you are not only prepared but also look stylish too…
When I was young, my Father and I would go hiking on the Appalachian Trail to a place called Chimney Rocks. It was so beautiful and picturesque. On the way home, we would take a different trail and chase the waterfalls back to the car.
Thank you for indulging me with a little trip down memory lane. Now speaking of trips….
Clothing
Be sure to dress in layers, and wear clothing that is flexible and breathable.
Are you ready to hiking? Let’s meet up on the trail!
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What about you? Do you enjoy hiking in the fall? Where do you go?
Love, hugs, and taking the path less traveled.
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The book case of our youth finally became the book case of our adulthood. You know that spot in your house that gets under your skin every time you see it? But fixing it would cost major time, money, and effort? What if I told you that our spot was the first thing you saw when you walked into our home? Well, let me just say that revamping our library and going the DIY route for built-in book cases was totally worth the wait and effort. You have to see the big reveal!
When you walk into our front door, you stare straight ahead into this space. Before all of the additions were made to our home, it used to be a dining room (up until the 80’s or so). It’s more of a bonus room, and with all of Mr. Green Beret/Military Historian’s books, we immediately turned it into a library. But with our post-college book cases that survived way too many moves, it was time to have a grown up space.
The Way Before
Before we begin, I’ll take you back into time. The previous owners had a more formal decorating style than we do, and the library was a bonus room with a piano. The built-in on the left side of the room is gorgeous, and was our muse for the project.
Before
There are a few things that neither of us liked. The book cases were mis-matched. The brown didn’t match at all. And as you can see in this picture, the book cases cover up a good foot of the window.
Sorry for the blurry picture, but you can see all of the intricate details of the existing built-in.
And this is what we had on the other side of the room. The problem – to either purchase a custom book case, or have it completely custom built, we’re looking at $10,000. Now, if we had $10,000 to put into the house, it would NOT be for a few book cases. Trust me. There are many more projects which would come before this one.
So we dealt with it. Until….
The Crew
One day, Hubby comes home from work and is all excited. A new guy he works with LOVES carpentry work. My Grandfather was a master carpenter, and my Father was trained under him, even though he did it as a hobby rather than a profession. We formulated a plan and gathered the team together.
My job was to keep the coffee hot and their bellies full all day long as they worked. Done and done!
They built all of the pieces outside, to keep the mess under control and because the pieces were so big.
During
Our house was built in 1962 and is one of those houses that is plagued with being difficult and stubborn. There has not been one project we’ve done since we moved in 2011 that has been easy. This one was no different. We (well, “they”) removed the trim from under the window and it pulled off half the wall. Project detour.
And then of course I come in and I’m like… we need fresh paint on the walls! I love Palladium Blue by Benjamin Moore. It was actually similar to the original color. Another detour.
Back to the boys… the small book case fit in perfectly. But then we realized that the electric socket wasn’t up to code. One more detour to fix.
You know that saying measure twice and cut once? The boys are carrying in the big book case and I knew it was too big. They tried every way until Sunday. It needed to be about 2 inches shorter. Another detour.
Solidarity anyone? Have you ever had one of those projects that took 10 times more than it should? Hubby thought it was an easy weekend project. It took a month from start to finish.
The Big Reveal
So here is the big reveal! They built a nook in each of the corners for display pieces.
And speaking of corner nooks, on the opposite side of the room, we had one of those cheap CD towers. It had to go! This piece fits in perfect and is a nice little display area. I love the succulents!
The original side didn’t get too much of a make-over. I organized it a little better, but no major changes.
And yes, we have a vintage style modern record player because we love to play records.
I wanted to make a shelf dedicated to Hubby’s career as a Green Beret.
This is a picture of the new built-in on the other side of the wall. Even though it’s a lot bigger, the shelves have more height and there was one shelf fewer, so we ended up having to display the books both horizontally and vertically.
Hubby was a little perplexed, “After all of this, we have LESS space for our books?”
ME: “Um… yes?”
Hubby has maybe 200 books or so, just in this library space alone. I organized all of them by war and topic. This DIY is brought to you by the letters O, C, and D.
I am in love with our new space! Hubby loves to come home from work, change clothes, and sit here and read while I’m making dinner. You can see the WW1 trench art in the back. We enjoy incorporating historic pieces into our decor.
This is the view as you walk into the front door. The wing-back chair was from a thrift store. My Mother knitted the throw. The stand is Ethan Allen and we picked it up at a yard sale. The lamp is from Pottery Barn.
Do you love the TA-DA as much as I do?
Before and After
Before you go, let’s take a quick trip to check out the WAY before…
…the before…
… and the after.
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Love, hugs, and looking for another book to read.
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This article and website contain affiliate links and ads which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Any information on this website is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition. Please consult your doctor for medical advice. We believe in capitalism and the American Dream. Full Disclosure Policy, Legal Clause, and Terms and Conditions – Click HERE.
Is there anything on this planet that goes with apples better than caramel? Um… nothing! This time of year, I love dipping my apples into caramel sauce, but eee-gads… all of that processed sugar? No thank you. So I made a much healthier version to enjoy. It’s just as good, has all-natural sugars instead of processed sugars, is super healthy, and delicious! Check it out…
I could seriously eat my weight in apples dipped in caramel sauce. Like, no joke. I had to create a healthier version of this.
Did you know that Medjool dates taste just like caramel? You. Are. Welcome.
Dates are rich in antioxidants and are a good source of vitamin B, iron, potassium, calcium, manganese, magnesium, and healthy fiber. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. Did you know that vitamin B6 can improve brain performance?
Don’t limit this sauce to just apples. Dip some gluten free pretzels in it. Drizzle it over popcorn. Drizzle it over any dessert worthy of that yummy caramel flavor. When you mix it up in your Nutri Ninja or blender, you can always add more creamer to make it a thinner consistency.
One quick word of warning, dates are high in the Glycemic Index. Even though they are all natural, so while you are eliminating processed sugars, don’t go crazy and eat the entire container!
Click on the recipe card to open a new window for a printable version of the recipe.
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What about you? Have you ever had caramel sauce made with dates?
Love, hugs, and double dipping!
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This article and website contain affiliate links and ads which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Any information on this website is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition. Please consult your doctor for medical advice. We believe in conscious capitalism and the American Dream. Full Disclosure Policy, Legal Clause, and Terms and Conditions – Click HERE.
