In the past week, I have been busy with coordinating projects and communications for MLWT, meanwhile figuring out my budgets reflecting the scary economic situation. I have also been reading Rosalind Joffe’s book Women, Work and Autoimmune disease: Keep Working Girlfriend!. As other’s have before me, I’ve been asked to write up a review. I am very happy to do so, because the title covers what has been on my mind a lot lately. If you didn’t get a chance to follow the entire tour, you can catch up by visiting Rosalind’s blog, workingwithchronicillness.com .
Usually, I tend to pick up books on chronic illness for reference only – sometimes sitting and reading about life with an autoimmune disease just isn’t what I consider a lot of fun.
I think I’ve become overconfident in my ‘life/health management’ and rarely think I’m going to pick up anything new. Just as there are many fluctuations in how chronic illness will present itself, though, so are there several ways of dealing with and managing the changes facing our lives in general. Keeping my mind open, busy and my resources varied will ultimately give me an edge in combating the roller coaster ride and complacency doesn’t belong in my lupus tool box anyway.
So, when I jumped into Rosalind’s book, I expected to basically read all that I’ve already believed: working is good for me. That may not feel like or be an option for some of you. Before you make that decision, however, “work” can mean many things- paid or un-paid – and there are still some things this book can offer you if traditional work is out of the picture.
The book is written matter-of-factly in a very reference-friendly format. It offers a few choice personal accounts (which can sometimes be overdone in self-help books) and reading some of the background of the authors – and others – provides a little needed humanity to the process. This book isn’t going to give you clearcut answers to what to do, but it does give you a chance to think about what they could be.
I consider myself a veteran of my illness – a decade and counting. Rosalind trumps me by about 20 years (and Joan Friedlander by a few as well), which gives me pause to think that I know all there is to know about the value of ‘engaging’ myself with ‘work’. She writes with a true sense of concern and hope for those reading it.
Her argument is not necessarily to push ourselves to remain employed, but to strongly consider how much ‘working’ is a part of who we are – whether it’s for financial necessity or personal identity.
As we age, our relevance in our society does change – so, too, does our relevance when illness gets in the way. It’s up to us to define, find a place for and nurture the relevance we seek.
I found a couple of the chapters particularly appropriate as I continue to review my changing economic situation. Whether it’s to disclose my health situation before or after interviewing, in Chapter 6 she covers points to weigh and tips to handle your decision in both situations. If your job ends and you are concerned about making ends meet, Chapter 7 covers some important considerations (pros and cons) regarding your possible interest in pursuing – and succeeding in – self-employment. This book isn’t about rocket science – it simply recommends that we keep our options open.
For those of you who are newly diagnosed and gainfully employed, Rosalind’s book offers some things to consider as your treatment begins. For those of us who are still able to work at least part-time or are considering self-employment options, it gives opportunities to revisit our present and review future directions. Most importantly, it gives readers in any situation a solid resource to help think about where we are within our society, within our families and within ourselves.
Rosalind makes a valuable point:
“It’s hard to find an organization- whether employing a staff of 10 or 200- that doesn’t have at least one person who lives with an illness or debilitating condition of some sort. You’re not as alone as you think.” (pg. 114)
It is easy to think that we who live with illness are a minority. Fact is, folks, we’re quickly becoming a majority as our life spans and the pharmaceutical advances improve. This book can provide some common-sense, easy-to-read targets that you can quickly ponder making it a pretty beneficial resource. Overall, I do encourage you to check it out.
If, for any reason, to remain open to other perspectives and to continue to evaluate your personal potential.
