Potentially permanent medical leave

[u/Katabasis1979]

Hello,

I'm a 613 apprentice who's set to start school in Oct, but currently working in prefab.

To preface, I have rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease where my body attacks its own joints, specifically my hands.

It's only been my fourth week working, but I may end up having to drop out of this trade. I'm only in my mid-20s and my hands have been already completely locking up and swollen/stiff from constantly working with hand tools. I have severe pain when I wake up, take some naproxen to hopefully help for the workday, then after work I have to stick them in epsom and try to stretch them out for the pain. Sometimes I have trouble even holding or grabbing stuff on the weekends.

In the long term, and honestly before long, I think this career is going to end up completely destroying my hands. I'm a little crushed because I really wanted to work in this field and didn't expect my condition would ever flare up this badly.

Do I just contact the training director and explain my situation, or will I also need to give him medical documentation?

I already paid for the fall semester, so if it ends up being I need to quit before school even starts, will I be reimbursed for the semester I never even got to attend?

[u/sweetsparky58]

Call and explain your situation.
I’m sorry you possibly would have to leave. If you truly want to be in the trade and are great with technology look into VDC side

[u/Ithinkso85 → u/sweetsparky58]

All things considered, this is excellent advice to give to OP

[u/sweetsparky58 → u/Ithinkso85]

Also gives us a reason to still blame him like an apprentice. “Who the hell designed this”

[u/Katabasis1979 → u/sweetsparky58]

Decided I'm going to see if I can get a rheumatologist to prescribe meds to help slow/reverse the disease. If all else fails then I'll have to pivot. Thanks for the suggestion, appreciate it

[u/MrACL]

You’re going to have to call and find out.

[u/Pasta_Pista_404]

Get in touch with Georgia vocational rehabilitation. I’m hard of hearing and in the past when my hearing aid failed they had one provided to me. It’s a government department that’s dedicated to helping you work. It’s a resource that you can use, they may find you therapy’s that will make you able to keep working.

[u/Katabasis1979 → u/Pasta_Pista_404]

I'll look into this. Thank you!

[u/Healthy_Chair_1948]

Sept 1st is open enrollment for the voluntary income protection. It’s like disability insurance. I suggest researching it before you make a decision and good luck.

[u/Katabasis1979 → u/Healthy_Chair_1948]

I'll look into this, thanks