Workplace accommodations

I was a nurse in a long-term care facility when I was diagnosed. Management needed to know what accommodations were needed, and a note from my doctor. With that, they were more than willing to help. The other nurses I worked with were fine, as long as I got my share of the work done. The CNA's, however, made an issue of it after the first year being diagnosed. I had worked for several years as a CNA before becoming a nurse, so I knew how hard their job was. I made it a point to assist them as much as possible. When I wasn't able to help them near as much, they began resenting me. I overheard one of them tell a new girl that I was the lazy nurse who just sat behind the desk, and slept in the lounge. Management had to eventually let me go when my work and charting weren't getting done in a timely manner. They said I was a really good nurse, and hated to let me go. One more year, and three jobs later, I had to file for disability.

A couple of call centers I worked for were very accommodating and had no trouble getting my requested accommodation approved. Others, I had to advocate for myself and educate my employer of my rights then they would eventually come around. One in particular employer was so discriminating that I still suffer from anxiety and self esteem issues do to their ignoring completely my accommodation request. I was terminated shortly after my accommodation request for a later shit. I did file a lawsuit against them. The EEOC investigated and found my claim to be valid but they did not sue on my behalf. I hired an attorney who botched it almost completly and I received a very small settlement made out of court that was not worth the 6 years of my life that was a total invasion into my privacy. I was put through a 9 hour deposition, 8 hour evaluation by a forensic psychiatrist and an exam that was performed by a doctor that my former employer's attorney hired who claimed that in his evaluation of my health condition, did not feel that I even had narcolepsy. My former employer at the time is a very large company and I believe that my attorneys became intimidated by their attorneys and did not want to continue but had to continue with my case in order to at least gain back money that was put into the case. The worst part is is I got stuck with the tax fees that were associated with paying my attorney out of the settlement amount .

When I was first diagnosed, I was working as a K-8 music teacher. I didn't really ask for accommodations, but I more explained to my principal that I might need to take naps during my lunch break as part of my treatment. The school I was working for was a very supportive and family-oriented school, so I really didn't have any issues in regard to that.
I will say that I've had friends who have had much more trouble than I have. I have a friend from Texas that was actually fired from his job due to his narcolepsy. He ended up suing the company and went on the news and everything.
Xoxo/Zzz, Gabrielle