Serious Occupational Disease: Getting Support
A diagnosis of an occupational disease that was caused by exposure to a workplace health hazard comes with its own set of challenges. Whether you’re dealing with cancer, a musculoskeletal disorder, or a mental health condition caused by a hazardous exposure on the job, there’s no doubt that your entire life – at work and at home – is affected.
Support for those affected by occupational disease
- Diagnosis may happen many years after exposure. Occupational cancers, in particular, can remain dormant for many years before appearing as a health problem.
- In addition to managing symptoms, there are many long-term impacts to living with and caregiving for someone with occupational disease.
- Your disease may limit your ability to remain in your field of work.
Support after an occupational disease diagnosis
Threads of Life’s programs and services are available for both the person living with an occupational disease and their caregivers. If you’d like to learn more about our programs, start by telling us more about you. Our staff will follow up to learn how we can help.
Managing physical symptoms or limitations
Managing physical symptoms or limitations of occupational disease is often complex and evolves as symptoms change due to the progression of your disease. As a caregiver, you’re providing support by helping to manage or accommodate for physical symptoms or limitations. And in situations where you’re dealing with symptoms that others don’t see or recognize, you may be doing so with little acknowledgement for the need. All of this requires substantial energy, and we all only have so much.
Logistical and practical challenges
When dealing with an occupational disease, you may have specific logistical and practical challenges — and questions — about Legal and financial information or investigations.
Emotional and community support
When you’re managing symptoms, work, a household, and a calendar full of specialists’ appointments, the emotional toll on both the person with the diagnosis and their caregiver(s) is high. It can also feel like few understand the weight you’re carrying, and why it’s so heavy.
Support from others who know what you’re going through doesn’t always lighten the load, but somehow, it can make it easier to carry. Whether you’re grieving the life you used to have or the one you thought was coming, know that you’re not alone.
Getting support
If you’re learning to navigate life with an occupational disease, you can get support from the Threads of Life community. Our volunteers and staff understand what you’re going through and can provide you with guidance and compassion, whether the diagnosis is recent, or happened several years ago.
Connect with others who understand
You can connect one-on-one with a trained listener with similar experience. You can also join virtual workshops or in-person events to gain practical information and make community connections.
Let’s connect.
Are you ready to learn more about how we can help you? Start by attending an introductory webinar, then select the program that best meets your needs.
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