Interesting.  Just curious if Ulcerative Colitis was also on the list.  

@glenn-giroir

Hi Glenn,

They didn’t specifically mention UC, but said “Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn’s Disease.”  I have no doubt that includes UC. 

I took a pic of the screen just now. I’ll try to attach it. 

Edit: file was too big to attach. 

I suppose it depends which country you living as to the rule.

In the UK it can be classified as a disability depending on the permanent debilitating symptoms. Having a stoma, UC or Crohn can qualify a person for the disability blue badge parking permit.

if you label yourself as disabled, what special needs would you require?  seems an employer would need to know what special accommodations you will  require.  

to me a stigma is formed by an ostomy being labelled as a disability. 

In Canada, the advantage would be in being eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, which can help offset the cost of ostomy equipment. One does not need to be an Ostomate to be eligible, however, as there are several categories of disability. One of them (where an ostomy fits in) is the category of Elimination. To qualify, the applicant must demonstrate that it takes 3 times as long to perform the bodily function of elimination as it would a person without the disability. This can mean extra trips to the bathroom, caring for an ostomy, or anything related to the function of elimination. 

While I agree somewhat with the issue of “disability “ label, I think it is only a word that serves a purpose. One does not need to be limited to being disabled with an ostomy, any more than one needs to feel disabled because of wearing glasses. As for accommodations, it would be reasonable to tell an employer that sometimes, we have to get to the bathroom without delay. Perhaps a hernia might limit how much a person could do physically as well. 

Laurie

Posted by: @dogtalkerer

if you label yourself as disabled, what special needs would you require?

In a broader context, it provides additional employment protections, accommodation, government benefits, medical coverage, etc. 

In the case of IBD or having an ostomy, requiring more time off for appointments without being penalized is one advantage. Being able to use the bathroom more regularly, or working closer to a bathroom is another. 

Posted by: @tigerlily

In Canada, the advantage would be in being eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, which can help offset the cost of ostomy equipment.

Yes, and if you qualify for the DTC, you also qualify for the Registered Disability Savings Plan. 

Being "labeled" as disabled doesn't need to be a negative thing. I'm disabled because I rely on medical devices to function and cost money to purchase.

I'll take whatever benefits are available to make that easier. 

@veganostomy

Thanks Eric, for explaining it so much better than I could. You are the best. 

The question was not if I was asking for any accommodations. Just whether I had a disability. I presume it would help the company determine if they were meeting their “7% of employees being disabled in some form” requirement. 

Posted by: @squeakyandliza

I presume it would help the company determine if they were meeting their “7% of employees being disabled in some form” requirement. 

It looks good when a company can say they have X number of minorities, disabled, etc. working for them. 

As a consumer, I can say that it does influence my purchasing decisions with all else being equal. 

Good luck with the applications, BTW! 

@veganostomy

Thanks Eric!!  I’m a little torn about jumping back in the job markets before being vaccinated, but figured I would take that first step. 

I agree whole-heartedly about supporting businesses who are trying to make the world a better place. 

I'm still curious squeaky, what would you say are your special requirements? .  just because they list something on the application, doesn't mean they are now experts. 

disability does have a meaning. otherwise it's a useless word.

I believe in Canada government regulated companies they need to meet select classes such as gender, disability, minority. 

@squeakyandliza...Liza, so great your feeling good enough to work again.

On the topic of what special things you may require for this form...and yes, an unfortunate word but none less, one "most" of the general public seem to understand,  as the silent or unseen disability. 

My last hospital stay had absolutely no place for me to put my pouch  changing supplies let alone things I needed for emptying, rinsing, wipes, sprays, garbage & M9. I would have had to use the floor as not even the cover on the toilet tissues would have held these supplies.  I couldn't reach to the sink 6 feet away as I prefer to sit on the toilet to change over pouches and trying to get them off the floor would have been an issue for me. 

You may want to bring up the topic of needing a place close to the toilet or sink area for a place to put supplies.  Most with an Ileostomy have had to change a pouch in the middle of an "active" stoma event & know the chore & time that alone can take.   Extra time in a washroom at work may not be a welcome thing with co-workers or your boss. That can be a big enough issue if someone gets snarky about your Washroom time,  I think its important your boss is aware of your needs. 

 As far as the sink  in the hospital, it had only a small shelf above it & was already taken up with my roomies supplies & had no place for mine.   I was at a loss & had to make the Nurse aware of this need. They eventually rolled in a small table on wheels for me to use. In our local small hospital I used a cardboard box turned upside-down, not the most sanitary in a 4 bed room.   This is something that needs to be taken into consideration.

Also, people with an Inflamatory Bowel Disease, and an Ileostomy,  which as we know is different then the Colostomy most often have on-going HEALTH issues. For instance your open wound, possible infections, further surgery like you've had recently, and further Disease development.  This is so different &  but no less important as having a cancer that won't stop.  Cancer can go into remission or has been removed with no sign of it coming up to bite you in the stoma.  But an inflamatory Bowel Disease such  as "Chrohns Disease" or Ulcerative Colitis certainly does raise its ugly head time & again, rarely if your lucky.

This is where the disability comes into play. I go thru periods of such exhaustion that I do use my "Blue Handicap Parking Card" when I need to go out for groceries or other needs.  By the time I'm done I'm pretty exhausted & the car being close by is very beneficial for me. Grocery shopping alone is a form of torture to me. Lol!  Also having an Ileostomy has made Hydration hard to manage and the 1st 9 years had me in emerge often for IV Fluids.  I'm almost 12 years in. I handle it at home now with special drinks and other means, as my viens are trashed from frequent multiple  painfull pokes, so I'm saving them for Iron Infusions  & blood transfusions.

When I filled out the forms for disability I followed Eric's guidance in his Video on applying for it & stuck firmly to his guidelines.  When I took my paper work for approval  my GP  was really shocked at how much time I spent in the Washroom caring for my Ostomy needs alone.  He had no idea how little sleep I was actually surviving on & even appologized for being ignorant about these issues.   I was apporoved right away following Eric's guidelines and am very Thankful for his work and that I did qualify.   The added incomtax Disability Tax Credit has allowed me the cost of the M9 and the Osto EZ Vents. Something I would not normally afford on my $1300.00 a month, as well as the special diet I need to be on to survive this thing.  Now, my Disease is different then yours as I have short gut syndrome and malabsorption issues. I am just climbing out of another bout of malnourishment for the second time in my life. It's been a 4 year battle.  I'm exhausted & as you know, somwdays can hardly hold a conversation.  I deal with Chronic Anemia, iron count at 2 or 5 when it should be above 100 hundred.  All this qualifies me for Disability & if someone can't understand that then someone needs to educate himself on these issues and the impact it holds on a person's life. 

There is no shame in admitting these issues to a Boss.  It's better they know then think your a horrible employee sloughing off in the washroom!   Don't be afraid to ask for what you need.   Liza, I wish you all the wellness and success you can store in your great big heart!!! 

Linda

Thanks Linda!!

@dlkfiretruck

Linda a good post clearly highlighting why recognition of a disabling condition like Chron's etc can be. Also how the medical institutions can not fully understand the extra help that individuals sometime need even though they should know better!. I guess we could say that putting a disability label indicate the extra though and care fully capable people need to apply to appreciate the needs of the person in front of them without showing pity or neglect. (sorry if its a bit muddled my thinking's a bit off to day - However I hear you all)

@chrisandbagpus...bang on Chris Thank You & its not muddled at all.  Honestly, when my Anemia is bad, I'm dizzy just laying down, I fall asleep in the middle of a conversation &  can't stand long enough  at the stove to cook a meal if my life depended on it...which in reality it does! lol! If it were not for my son & his family in my basement suite, I would eat very little & poorly during these times.    

I get that my situation is a bit different, but that's it, "different".  I don't lean on it being classified a disability anymore then I'm sure our Tony or Brian would being blind.  The benefits are necessary & important. 

lol, Eric, be assured, as always, lots of editing & tongue biting  went on for the above post!! Lol! 

I would kindly & strongly advise anyone in disagrement an "Unseen Disability" to firmly educate themselves before beng "critical" &  gain knowledge of all that one deals with in the midst of IBD, Chrohns Disease or UC, and because I went undiagnosed & incorrectly for 40 yrs as having only  Irritable Bowel  Syndrome & being a bored housewife, let's throw that in too,  Anemia, Short Gut Syndrome, Malabsorption Issues, Intestinal Cancers that do or don't go away, Blindness, and the list goes on.

Again, Thank you Chris.  I'm sure I've  made my point. I appologize if I've upset anyone. 

@dogtalkerer

I get where you refer to a disability being a stigma, not wishing to self limit yourself I guess,  so I looked up the dictionary definition of disability

I thought it still was an illness, injury, or medical condition that makes it difficult for someone to do the things that other people do: -or something like that.

Apparently its much widely defined now. 

example: oxford medical dictionary "a substantial long-term restriction of functional ability or activity as a result of impairment of the body or mind. Most modern definitions of disability, including that supplied by the World Health Organization, recognize that it is a complex condition that includes a social dimension. In other words, an individual’s experience of being disabled may in part reflect social and environmental factors that deny opportunities and full participation in society. See also handicap..."

I see some positives and some negative in this- in my opinion.

@chrisandbagpus. It might interest everyone to know that 5 or 6 years ago, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ruled that miscarriage is a disability, because it is neither common (like a cold or flu) nor transitory. A woman was fired from her job because a miscarriage, among other reasons, caused her to miss time at work. She complained to the Tribunal, and she won in a precedent setting case. Her employer argued that a disability must have some aspect of permanence and persistence; but the Tribunal disagreed. The adjudicator agreed with the woman that not only did the miscarriage profoundly affect her health and well being, but it caused her significant emotional distress as well. 

What I find interesting about this is how broad the term “disability “ is. 

Laurie

@tigerlily

Laurie, that is so interesting. I think there very easily can be permanent and temporary disabilities.

Right out of college I did temp work for a year at an insurance company in the short term disability department. A large percentage of the claims were for pregnancy. The short term disability insurance paid the claim during the time missed from work. No one would ever claim that a disability for pregnancy is a permanent condition. 😂

@tigerlily...Wow! That's very interesting.  It's honestly about time  that it is recognized how emotionally & physically difficult a miscarriage can be on the human body. No matter the length of time a pregnancy lasts, one still goes through labor & delivery. Both bring a flood of emotions & hormonal surges. The difference is one holds a baby after and another is grieving & has or will have empty arms. 

Chrisandbagpus...The definition and the requirements for Disability is exactly what keeping track of every single washroom visit regarding the Stoma is all about. In keeping track right down to washing & drying ones hands.  It does help prove that it takes an inordinate amount of time to take care of one's pouching routine right down to change overs. 

I would urge anyone to give it a try for one week. Lol,  you may be surprised just how many hours you actually spend in the washroom dealing with your little buddies requirements.  In all honesty,  it was a light bulb moment for my GP.  A week may give you a more clear reading then a few days. As much as I appreciate the results of my Ostomy, it is still a life altering surgery & not always for the better.  As many discover there can be skin issues to products & troublesome sores do erupt.  Your guts now treat not just foods differently but also fluids. There can be extra costs of different foods, vitamin drinks,  vitamins, clothing allowances, medications, creams & the list goes on.  Throw in extra cost of gasoline for your vehicle, busses, trains, planes, taxis,  parking stubs, hours waiting for apps. tests, prep for tests.  Then there's the incomtax issues. Collecting receipts for all the above & because your incomtax is no longer simple, maybe hiring someone's in order.  A computer library or home for researching issues, extra laundry, cleaning products & all else involved.  Well, basically, welcome to your new full time job! lol!  

It is always great to be a part of helping someone resolve a situation or offer encouragement & welcome a newby.  However, when I learn about someone who has had a really successful experience, I feel a very slight tinge of happy envy for them, but I mostly feel a huge amount of joy & satifaction knowing it happens!  Successful experiences & finding working results to a difficulty are the best experiences to read about.