'To have been on a set career path and doing really well and then have to put the brakes on was so hard.'

Naomi was in her early 20s and just establishing her career as a workplace trainer and facilitator when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2005. Although she had experienced years of debilitating fatigue, the diagnosis still came as a shock.

'At some point I just decided that this job wasn’t for me anymore. I loved my work so much but adrenaline is such a huge part of a high-pressure role like training, and afterwards I would feel utterly wiped out for days.'

Naomi spoke with her manager, who agreed to let her take on an administrative role while she worked out her next move.

'I started trying different medications, some of which had really negative side effects and it was then I decided training was just not an option for me anymore.

'It was a big shock because my whole life, it was all I ever aspired to be and I loved it.

'I stepped back into an admin role and that was a big deal for me career wise. To have been on a set career path and doing really well and then have to put the brakes on was so hard. Then there was that feeling of not knowing how to do things and having to learn things over again, and of not being what I always wanted to be.'

Reaching out for support

Naomi first learned about the MS Plus Employment Support Service (ESS) while waiting for an appointment with her neurologist. A fellow patient encouraged her to reach out for support, leading her to connect with Jeff, a dedicated Employment Support Clinician and occupational therapist with the Employment Support Service at MS Plus.

'Working with ESS has been amazing,' Naomi shares. 'Jeff is someone who understands my challenges but doesn't have MS himself. He holds me accountable for managing my energy and time, which has been crucial for my success.'

'I had reached a point where I just wasn't coping with life,' Naomi recalls. 'I had to rebuild and do something different. I had no aspirations of being a manager or CEO at the time, I just wanted to train.'

Through her collaboration with Jeff, Naomi gained the confidence to navigate her career path.

'I had been on a work trip and had run myself down badly. I’d flown to four states and New Zealand in a week or something ridiculous and it was impacting my cognition, and I couldn’t really think.

'I was really struggling and I rang Jeff and had a massive vent. I told him I was falling apart, and I can’t think, and I can’t work and I just can’t do this.

'Jeff just gave me this very calm sanity check. He told me to look at where I was and what was happening in my life, and to remind me that I knew where this fatigue was coming from and why and that I already knew what I had to do to manage it.

'Sometimes I’ll say to Jeff, "I’m not good enough" or "I’m not this or that, I’m not performing at work, I can’t do this", and Jeff will calmly say, "that’s not an MS thing, that’s an everyone thing"

'Because it’s easy when you have MS to blame everything going on in your life on your condition and Jeff is great at reminding me when, sometimes, that’s just life,' Naomi says.

The issue of disclosure

Jeff has also helped Naomi with the challenging decision of whether to disclose her MS to boss and colleagues – an issue many people with MS face.

'There was a moment in one of my jobs where I had to make that decision for the first time. Previously, everywhere I had worked was with someone who had brought me over or who knew me already, so they just knew about my MS and disclosure was never a question.

'But I eventually I found myself in a workplace where no one knew and I actually had to talk through with myself whether to disclose or not – do I or don’t I. And the question is – what is the impact on me and career if I do let people know?

'I'm a person of integrity, and MS is part of my life. It doesn't rule my life, but it does have an impact,' she explains. Jeff's guidance helped her approach these conversations with clarity and confidence.

'Jeff is just a wonderful supporter – cheering for me on the sidelines and going above and beyond to help. I know he has a lot going on but he is never too busy for me, telling me, “You can do this!”'

A new challenge

Naomi's hard work and determination paid off with a recent promotion to CEO where she oversees a new subsidiary, reporting directly to the Board and managing a large team.

'Running the company is a big job, but it has been so exciting and rewarding,' she says.

'I was lucky enough when I was first diagnosed to work for a company that allowed me to step sideways into an administration role.

'From there I could build up to managing a team and so on – and my confidence grew as I took on new responsibilities that better fit around my symptoms.'

Reflecting on her journey, Naomi acknowledges that her experience with MS has shaped her into the leader she is today.

'Interestingly, it was MS that got me here. I might still be facilitating if it weren't for my diagnosis,' she admits. 'I was forced to step out of my comfort zone, and that led to incredible growth.'

If you are struggling at work or looking to find something more suitable, reach out to our Employment Support Services team today 1800 042 138 connect@msplus.org.au