Support working from home: Kate's story

A mechanical engineer, Kate* was still a uni student completing work experience at a local auto plant back in 2002 when she first experienced symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

‘I was walking around the plant and I started getting this really deep burning sensation in my left thigh, I thought “what is going on here?” It started getting more and more intense as the days went on. I found myself sitting in cold bath trying to ice the heat in my leg down. All of a sudden, my foot started going numb. Within a week the numbness had gone up to my hip and I couldn’t feel my left leg at all,' Kate says.

Kate still experiences left leg and hip weakness at times, flared up by fatigue and heat.

Kate works from home three days a week with two days in the office and has been registered with the MS Plus Employment Support Service for almost five years. Her consultant Mali Levav, helps Kate to manage her demanding job by exploring different working options and how to create a work life balance.

‘I speak to Mali once a week and she is fantastic. Mali is really encouraging she helps me look at things from a different perspective. She can be just as challenging as my neuro physio, which is great.

‘She is wonderful at helping me to look at things from a different perspective and how to navigate tricky work situations. She is masterful at asking the right questions to help me find the best scenario for myself and my employer.

‘We have navigated topics like disclosure of my diagnosis to my employer. Particularly before a business trip overseas where it is hot and humid, which increases my physical fatigue and slows me down. Mali has also helped me to manage my busy working schedule, which spans across many time zones and many other issues. I’m really indebted to her.

‘I actually just look forward to our conversations to be honest. She is very forward thinking and genuinely wants to help and will always go above and beyond with the resources that she provides,’ Kate says.

Where to from here?

‘Whilst I have not disclosed my diagnosis to my employer yet, I am speaking out now because I would like to spread the message to everyone that there is hope and that we can all take control back to try and give ourselves a better future. It is challenging but it is truly empowering to see improvements and knowing that all you need to do is persevere.'

Kate says that she sees her future in helping others.

‘Ultimately, I would love to help others and put my engineering career aside. There is so much hope and all that people need to do is make a change and in time see the wonderful improvements that are possible.’

*Name has been changed