Hi
It's nearly three years since my diagnosis of tongue cancer. As a result of the op and radiotherapy I have major eating problems and restricted movement in right shoulder. Other than this I am in fairly good shape. I have started to apply for jobs and am unsure of the question on forms asking if I have a disability.Opinions / advice welcome.

hi sheila
im really pleased for you that you are doing so well.

do you think you are disabled if you feel disabled then you have your answer.......if not then it would appear that you are not disabled....however its never as cut and dried as that....... would you be limited in what you can do in the jobs that you are applying for.... are there certain things that you cant do.... a very difficult question to answer as disability can refer to so much.
all the very best in your search take care
jeff

Hi Sheila, Well the answer to your question is basically yes.
I had part of my tongue removed talk quite and alot of people dont understand me,my right shoulder affected too and get tired very quickly.
It can work to your advantage depending on what type of job you apply for, The goverment for instance have a duty to give a Disabled person an interview and like the Council favour disbaled people to apply for posts.
You dont registar disabled as years ago so its up to you to decide where appropiate where to emphamsise your Disibility or not.

Paul

Hello Sheila

The Disability Discrimination Act considers a diagnosis of cancer as a disability. You don’t have to have symptoms or to consider yourself to be disabled by your cancer to be covered. But the Act does give you important rights.

For more about this and to take part in a poll about The Disability Discrimination Act and Cancer, click the following link:
Disability Poll

Best wishes
Vinod

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

quote:

Originally posted by Dr Vinod K Joshi:
Hello Sheila

The Disability Discrimination Act considers a diagnosis of cancer as a disability. You don’t have to have symptoms or to consider yourself to be disabled by your cancer to be covered. But the Act does give you important rights.

For more about this and to take part in a poll about The Disability Discrimination Act and Cancer, click the following link:
Disability Poll

Best wishes
Vinod

many thanks for that link i found it very usefull as im sure sheila will.......so there is a lot of help available

Many thanks for all your comments. I've decided to say I have a disability and then explain at the interview (hopefully) that it is unlikely to affect the type of work I want to do. Good to know I have rights under the Disability Discrimination Act.

Sheila