I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Working while on Dialysis => Topic started by: Bajanne on June 12, 2007, 12:14:05 AM
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I too got a letter telling me that they "cannot assure me of employment for the 2007/2008 academic year". After 10 years with no unfavourable evaluations. My appointment comes up for renewal every two years, and last year they were considering letting me go (because I need time for dialysis), but allowed me to finish out my appointment. They say that they have their own nationals graduating from universities and colleges and they must take priority. There are two of us in this position - not nationals of this country, and also with health challenges, although the other person does not have renal failure. We both got letters.
Since I didn't want to leave the Virgin Islands, I checked out an Episcopalian school and they really want me to come and are willing to work around my dialysis, but the salary is about $1500 less! I need to be there for my daughter financially as she leaves to start university this fall. Thank goodness, university is practically free for nationals of my country.
I got a phonecall from a colleague. She told me that she called the former principal of our school who is now a minister of the government and he told her that he will speak with the Minister of Education and lobby for me. I am not sure, though, if I wanted it done that way. It seems too political.
Moved to General Discussion (since it does involve the issue of dialysis), Bajanne, Moderator
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Hang in there Aurora i hope things work out for the better. :grouphug;
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Hope everything works out for you.
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Can I say a few swear words for you? I feel for you. I am always afraid as the dialysis begins to wear on me they will finally decide I am too much of a hassle. From one teacher to another "HUGS". :grouphug; :grouphug; :grouphug;
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One former and hopefully future teacher to another :grouphug; I also feel for you and it is bummed out when they don't renew your contract....I never had a contract thus the reason I am now getting my Master's in Education.....I hope something can be done or you too would need a lawyer.......they cannot just fire dialysis patients......
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But you see, it is all in their hands. My appointment ends August 31 - therefore it cannot be considered as a 'firing'. So as an African saying goes "they have the yam, and they have the knife"!
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That is a good one "they have the yam, and they have the knife."!
I hope they will decide to keep the yam for a long long long time and tuck away the knife under their pants.
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Sorry to hear it..maybe in this instance your friend can help.
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I am so sorry this is happening to you. As you know, I am in the same position. Life just keeps throwing us curve balls. It is all because of the contracts that they hold so much control over us. I still don't know what I am going to do. I just want to teach where I have been the past 18 years! I hate that you have to deal with this, too. I know we can both work better than some people who have no health issues. Again, I am just sorry this has happened.
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Just checking in on you to see how things are going. I am worried about you and all that you are going thru. Keep us posted.
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It seems like teaching has became very political. Damn it.
I guess they can still fire you after tenure.
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Well it seems that the only way that I can get through is the political way. I heard from the principal of the Episcopalian school. The board shot down her idea of hiring me!
I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, but I had to remind myself that my life is not in my hands, and He knows best.
My other alternative is to go back home to Barbados and try to find a job - not easy at 57 on dialysis, but not impossible. My daughter didn't want me home as yet since that would mean that Christopher would be separated from his father. She wanted to able come back here whenever she had time off from the university.
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Well it seems that the only way that I can get through is the political way. I heard from the principal of the Episcopalian school. The board shot down her idea of hiring me!
I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, but I had to remind myself that my life is not in my hands, and He knows best.
Aurora I'm so sorry to hear this, it doesn't seem fair. Your faith is strong and it will carry you through these trying times. I'll say a few extra prayers that he shows you the way, and he reveals his plan for you.
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Thank you so much, Sluff! Amen. I appreciate it.
:thx;
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Ya know, you can do this! Do you want to move here and share a contract? Hehehehe. Fontana Unified is always looking for teachers at the secondary level. But then desert life after island life may be too much of a shock. Keep going. :grouphug;
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Well, nothing is working out here so far. The principal at the Episcopalian school is having a hard time persuading the chairman to employ me. So I will be making preparations for moving back to my home country, Barbados.
By the way, we had our final staff meeting on Friday and guess what I got as a parting gift - a glass plaque for my 10 years of service!!!
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I'm sorry you are going thru this trying time Bajanne.
I will be praying for you. Keep trusting in Him.
He has a plan for you.
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I will continue to pray, the best for you. :grouphug;
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Bajanne, I'm so sorry to hear about your employment difficulties. Ten years is a long time and with the good service you've given them it is beyond me why they wouldn't want to keep you there.
Uncertainty on the job isn't something anyone on dialysis needs as if there isn't enough stress to deal with already. He listens to me sometimes so tonight I'm going to ask him to be good to you.
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Thank you all guys. I am confident that things will work out for my good.
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Bajanne, I am so sorry. It truly is unfair to have to deal with this disease and job worries. I still can't believe I won't be going back to my school in the fall. I got an email from a former teacher saying she was shocked that my contract wasn't renewed and she would like to hear my side of the story. My side - ESRD says it all. They think I am too sick to handle the job. So, my heart is hurting for you. LIfe doesn't make much sense right now. We are all here for you and send you lots of hugs and good wishes. :cuddle;
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Thank you all guys. I am confident that things will work out for my good.
Your bright outlook and positive attitude will get you through this Aurora!
:cuddle;
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I got an email from a former teacher saying she was shocked that my contract wasn't renewed and she would like to hear my side of the story. My side - ESRD says it all. They think I am too sick to handle the job.
Paris...stop the presses. "They think I am too sick to handle the job". No way can they get away with that shiit. You have remedies available under the Americans With Disabilities Act.
The first thing I would do is remind them that they can not legally refuse to employ you based on your disability and give them a chance to make it right and fast.
If that doesn't work for you..rapidly..call your nearest EEOC office and ask for assistance. I am fairly sure that they are required by law to put you back to work immediately and that you may have legal grounds to sue for damages. While you are at EEOC ask for a "right to sue" letter, you might need it if you decide to hire an attorney.
Oh and save that email you got from your colleague, it is good evidence if you need it.
Nothing pisses me off more than seeing employers mess with dialysis patients and you don't have to put up with it.
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The school board actually may be able to get away with this. Teacher contracts are tricky. I can only find one case where the teacher sued for non-renewal, claiming it was due to a cancer diagnosis, and that case was dismissed.
I would still contact an attorney, paris. It's worth looking in to.
I'm sorry to everyone that is dealing with this. I left my job when my bosses started wondering what was up with my schedule. I never publicized my health issues at work, so they had no idea about the kidney disease or diabetes. I knew I couldn't continue to do my job the way it needed to be done though and I could see how my bosses were struggling with wanting to help and wondering how to keep the office afloat without a fulltime person. I made the decision to walk away. In the end, the difficulties I've experienced in dialysis would have made it impossible to hold any job, so it all happened the way it needed to. I hope everyone's situation works out.
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I'm sorry to hear about your employment problem. I hope everything turns out well for you.
Sending good thoughts ur way.
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Can you imagine? I had to sign my evaluation yesterday, and guess what my overall score was - 95.76%. I wonder what the administration will say when they see that!
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Can you imagine? I had to sign my evaluation yesterday, and guess what my overall score was - 95.76%. I wonder what the administration will say when they see that!
Why did you score so low? JK :rofl; With a score like that you could run that school! Hang in there things will work out. :grouphug;
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Well, nothing has worked out, and I am pursuing other ventures. I need to get my status here validated, so I can work. I had to give up my apartment and move in with a sister (in the Lord).
What is making me laugh is that everyone is telling me these days how well I look. As a parent told me "You see how good you look now you have left that high school!" Everyone is saying my face is looking younger. It must be the tons of sleep that I am getting!
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Ah, Bajanne, I'm so sorry to hear that nothing could be done. Sounds like you are an excellent teacher -- the kind this world needs more of. Luckily you are a strong and resilient person, with deep faith and a sense of humour to get you through. I'm sure things will work well for you eventually, but I so wish you didn't have go through all this along the way.
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Bajanne, I am so sorry. I have had people (including family) say that it seems like I am more rested now that I am not working. I know they mean well, but it just reminds me over and over that I am not teaching anymore. I find myself thinking through the day of what I would have normally be doing at that particular hour. I don't think I will ever get use to not being at school and "enjoy all my free time". How much more can this disease take from us? I think of you often. I know you faith helps get you through the tough times. Keep us posted.
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Nothing beat a good night of sleep. Hope you find new venture soon.
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To all you teachers out there. I am so sorry to hear of your difficulties. I haven't been in school in many years but there are some teachers I remember vividly. I remember their names, what they looked like, what they sounded like and most of all I remember what wonderful women they were. I want to thank each and every one of you for what you do. I want to tell you that you make a difference in each students life. I also want to tell you that you will not be forgotten but remembered fondly. Teachers Rule!
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Thank you so much! What always makes me feel really good is when I meet former students. The joy they express when they see me is priceless!
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I'm still madly in love with my kindergarten Teacher Mrs. Wysocki. She more than likely has passed by now but I remember her vividly after all these years.
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I am glad i had a great relationship with all my teachers and i miss them all, i do see a couple every once in awhile. I admire them so much and i have much respect for them ALL!!! :2thumbsup;
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:2thumbsup;
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How are things going now, Bajanne? I'm hoping things are looking up, but ready to rant at your side if not! :boxing; ;)
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I am also a teacher no longer working
and I hate it
I miss my students and my school "family"
some of the teachers in my department will understand if they ever get sick or need help
I would leave school 30 minutes early to get to dialysis
but everday I went an hour early
some teachers thought I had it easy because I did not have afternoon bus duty
oh yes, I am so lucky but your ass can pee
anyways, I get so depressed being at home
I am a born teacher
and I taught and loved some of the most needy students
miss it :'(
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Oh Twirl, I understand. This has been the hardest year for me. Not only to you not teach anymore, but you also miss the social part of school setting. I miss it all so much. I am sorry you are going through this. :big hug:
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Oh Twirl and Paris I am sorry.
I am unable to work now and I miss it also.
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Rant time! :rant; Okay, so they didn't renew my contract. Since September I applied for a trade licence so I could legally tutor students who need extra help, etc. Well, I called them in March to find that I need to have approval from the Ministry of Education (the same people who did not renew my appointment). My letter was handed in on March 25. All they needed to do was write a letter saying that they have no objections to my tutoring students. How could they have objections when I taught their students for 10 years and always received an excellent evaluation? Well, I am still waiting to hear from them. :rant; :rant; :rant;
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10 years? you should have seniority, WTH is wrong with those people, same thing happens in Texas all the time, no reason and you're out, well for the first three years and after that it is more detailed
I am so sorry. I hate not teaching but in my case, it got too hard with dialysis.
Will they assign you to another campus?
What else can you do if this does not work out.
Is it because of kidney problems? That sucks.
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Bajanne, I am so sorry. None of it makes sense. My case was 18 years with excellent reviews every year, took at least 3 courses a year in advanced education -- but the private school still didn't like the kidney issue. I don't have any words to help, but wanted you to know how bad I feel for you. All you want to do is work and to your job. I am sorry they haven't made the right decision. Sending you good thoughts :cuddle;
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Bajanne, I'm so sad to hear this. It seems most unfair. You know we're all hoping something will come through for you that will work for your daughter and grandson too. :grouphug;
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doesn't it seem like a lot of teachers get kidney failure
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Thankfully, right now, my job at the tourist board, and the tutoring I am doing (on the side! don't tell them!) help me to pay my bills.
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I forgot to tell you guys that the Ministry of Education FINALLY gave me a letter approving my application for a trade licence to tutor!!! i got it on November 24 (I had applied since Mar 27). Just two paragraphs of two lines each - it took them 8 months to get that done!!
My application is now with the Trade Department. Who knows how long that will take now, although i was assured that it takes 4 - 6 weeks?
Thankfully, my immigration issues are resolved and I am now free to work at the Tourist Board and teach at the Community College, without looking over my shoulder.