Employers should know the possible affect of young onset Parkinson’s on workers and how to assist. I have worked for 5 years with young onset Parkinson’s. I am still working and hope to until I retire. I feel supported by my employer/co-workers. The most debilitating issues with regards to my working capacity are slowness of movement, muscle stiffness/rigidity, tremor/Dyskinesia/Dystonia.
There is not one time of the day that I find more difficult than other times. I’m very lucky as my work is not affected greatly by my PD. Strategies or techniques that could be helpful to support me to stay in the workforce longer could include flexibility to work around fluctuating symptoms. I have not undertaken a formal process to determine my work capacity as it is not required at the moment. Disclosure of young onset Parkinson’s to your employer better assists the employer to provide earlier support. My direct manager is very helpful and provides any assistance I require. I did not seek legal advice about my rights as an employee.
