How do I go back to work with a disbility and poor ergonomics?

Question

I have been recently diagnosed with significant thoracic outlet syndrome. It has put me out of work at the moment. I am in so much pain it's horrible, I started having trouble last April while at work but no one could diagnose me with anything. January I was in a great deal of pain and couldn't sit at my desk, type or do anything. I went through all the tests and the neurologist sadi I'm in bad shape. I was never injured in an accident and I sit at work in a terrible work environment. NO ERGONOMICS AT ALL! I asked for them and I was told "they don't use those here" I went and bought myself a mouse and keyboard pad but that didn't do anything. My chair is old and falls down when I sit on it..no arm rests. Monitor is ancient, tiny and too low. No paper holder..I had everything on my desk and looking down when typing (I do a lot of data entry) which is what caused this. I'm right handed and this is on my right side. How do I go back to work in those conditions? HELP!

Answer 1

Sadly to say, but without a unionized environment you are between a rock and a hard place. Seems the company has already told you that they aren't willing to accommodate your situation. How long have you been there? Do you enjoy that place so much that you would fight and most likely not come out the winner? If finances arent a great issue, I would go off on sick leave, get as well as you can and move on to a better employer.

Answer 2

As being a retired auto service tech, I can understand some of your aches and pains. For decades our tools where designed for productivity not physical function. I know many techs that suffer from various aliments. Bad backs, knees, hips feet, elbows, wrists, fingers and other body parts. we and as I did made changes to tools and the way the job was done. We all suffered for the sake of the customer and so do our families.

Over the years, I have been seen by a wide sort of doctors and the gambit of tests. End result, " your profession is the reason". Wow, I am suppose to change jobs after 30 years? Oh here is a pill for the pain.

What I have done is taken and applied my own reconfiguration of tools and work practices. I have also been doing exercises to help keep muscular structure. there are things that you can do on your own as well as talking to your companies health agent. If you feel that there are things in your work area that need change, well stand up and make the change. Your co worker may have the same troubles but yet do not know the resolve.

you maybe the stick in the mud but you also may bring change in your work space. Its your body.