9 replies to this topic

[benji837]

I was given a note by my doctor to take into my work to ask for a straight day shift on 11/25/2009. I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea on 11/4/2009 and Narcolepsy and cataplexy on 11/19/2009. I took the Note In November 30th 2009 and this is when my world was turned upside down. The plant manager at my job used vulger language towards me on 11/30/09 demanding to ask what my medical condition was. The next day 12/1/2009 he called me into his office and told me to sign a release for the company doctors to review my medical information or he would have to fire me on the spot; I have this on tape.. He told me I had two choices death or the streets and he felt the streets was the better option in his opinon he was very rude and understand.. I am in the union and they did nothing but blame me and make fun of me in meetings with the company. He kept me on the job 11/30/09-12/4/09 my days off were 12/5/09-12/08/09 to return to work on 12/9/09. I was called by the same plant manager on 12/7/09 and was told to go on short-term disibility and not to come back to work on 12/9/09 and I would be best off to just look for another job as he refused to accomadate. It was a very rough miserable 4 years of torture at that company. I began there on 3/20/2006 and they have been very rude and blamed me for everything. They call me all the time and tell me to come and get my in very vulgar language **** out of the company which is wrong and even crank call my home. This is a very rough company called Archer Daniels Midlands in Decatur, IL if you look them up there has been a movie and a book made about them and they have a bad moral, legal, and ethical record. I am only 26 have never drank a drink or at the least a sip of beer, done or tried any illegal drugs and have never taken a puff out of a cigarette. I have not have had any invasive tests done yet and have been diagnosed with Narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic non-allergic rhinitis, cataplexy, throat problems, chronic rhinitis, over weight since I went to the company I was 144 when I started and 261 when I left I have managed to get my weight down to 218 since December. I got sick at that plant and they deny it. I was in great health when I went there and with all the chemicals and the dirty and damged facility with improper PPE many people are getting sick. I have been denied short-term disibility and just got it with a major fight. I have spend hours on the phone getting it extended week to week. I have now been denied SSDI and LONG-TERM DISIBILITY INSURANCE through the company. My medications for provigil and all my other meds keep getting approved and denied preventing me from getting stabalized. this has ruined my life. I have trouble in dating, am smart but can't focus in school or do anything anymore people wonder why I am not working but the company has me listed inactive. I just don't know what to do anymore and would like some help:( I have done a lot of reading and know most of you have suffered in life like me also from what I have read I want it so badly but everything is so hard to do. I just would love someone to talk to who understood me so we could help each other. Also do I need a lawyer or what for all this legal mess? And any reccomendations would be greatly appreciated! Thank you and thanks for all your great help and time.

Sincerely,

Benjamin J. Manning(Newly Diagnosed with Narcolepsy)

[kiragrace]

I do not have a lot of time to respond, but I would like to say that I am sooo sorry this is happening to you. It's insane, really! Hang in there, though, because this is not your fault.

I quickly looked up low cost legal help in Decatur because I really do think you may need some legal advice. Do not do this alone. This is what I found.....It doesn't say they help with work related things, but they do help with SSI/SSDI, and they can probably point you in the right direction....who to contact, etc.



Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation - Northern Regional Office

3180 Adloff Lane
Suite 201 Springfield, IL 62703 | View map

Phone: 877-342-7891

Clients may be eligible for free legal assistance if they are low income or age 60 or over.

This office has a satellite location at 132 South Water Street, Suite 628, Decatur, IL 62523.


Public Benefits and Health - TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), SSI, General Assistance, Food Stamps, or Medicaid.

[kiragrace]

I do not have a lot of time to respond, but I would like to say that I am sooo sorry this is happening to you. It's insane, really! Hang in there, though, because this is not your fault.

I quickly looked up low cost legal help in Decatur because I really do think you may need some legal advice. Do not do this alone. This is what I found.....It doesn't say they help with work related things, but they do help with SSI/SSDI, and they can probably point you in the right direction....who to contact, etc.



Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation - Northern Regional Office

3180 Adloff Lane
Suite 201 Springfield, IL 62703 | View map

Phone: 877-342-7891

Clients may be eligible for free legal assistance if they are low income or age 60 or over.

This office has a satellite location at 132 South Water Street, Suite 628, Decatur, IL 62523.


Public Benefits and Health - TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), SSI, General Assistance, Food Stamps, or Medicaid.

[Day Dream Believer]

I was given a note by my doctor to take into my work to ask for a straight day shift on 11/25/2009. I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea on 11/4/2009 and Narcolepsy and cataplexy on 11/19/2009. I took the Note In November 30th 2009 and this is when my world was turned upside down. The plant manager at my job used vulger language towards me on 11/30/09 demanding to ask what my medical condition was. The next day 12/1/2009 he called me into his office and told me to sign a release for the company doctors to review my medical information or he would have to fire me on the spot; I have this on tape.. He told me I had two choices death or the streets and he felt the streets was the better option in his opinon he was very rude and understand.. I am in the union and they did nothing but blame me and make fun of me in meetings with the company. He kept me on the job 11/30/09-12/4/09 my days off were 12/5/09-12/08/09 to return to work on 12/9/09. I was called by the same plant manager on 12/7/09 and was told to go on short-term disibility and not to come back to work on 12/9/09 and I would be best off to just look for another job as he refused to accomadate. It was a very rough miserable 4 years of torture at that company. I began there on 3/20/2006 and they have been very rude and blamed me for everything. They call me all the time and tell me to come and get my in very vulgar language **** out of the company which is wrong and even crank call my home. This is a very rough company called Archer Daniels Midlands in Decatur, IL if you look them up there has been a movie and a book made about them and they have a bad moral, legal, and ethical record. I am only 26 have never drank a drink or at the least a sip of beer, done or tried any illegal drugs and have never taken a puff out of a cigarette. I have not have had any invasive tests done yet and have been diagnosed with Narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic non-allergic rhinitis, cataplexy, throat problems, chronic rhinitis, over weight since I went to the company I was 144 when I started and 261 when I left I have managed to get my weight down to 218 since December. I got sick at that plant and they deny it. I was in great health when I went there and with all the chemicals and the dirty and damged facility with improper PPE many people are getting sick. I have been denied short-term disibility and just got it with a major fight. I have spend hours on the phone getting it extended week to week. I have now been denied SSDI and LONG-TERM DISIBILITY INSURANCE through the company. My medications for provigil and all my other meds keep getting approved and denied preventing me from getting stabalized. this has ruined my life. I have trouble in dating, am smart but can't focus in school or do anything anymore people wonder why I am not working but the company has me listed inactive. I just don't know what to do anymore and would like some help:( I have done a lot of reading and know most of you have suffered in life like me also from what I have read I want it so badly but everything is so hard to do. I just would love someone to talk to who understood me so we could help each other. Also do I need a lawyer or what for all this legal mess? And any reccomendations would be greatly appreciated! Thank you and thanks for all your great help and time.

Sincerely,

Benjamin J. Manning(Newly Diagnosed with Narcolepsy)

I am really sorry Benjamin to hear about everything you have been through! This is a time to get as much support as you can right now. You are doing the right thing by reaching out on this forum and I would also suggest that you get the help of a counselor, social worker, or someone who can help you navigate some of the emotional ups and downs that can come from all this. The more help you can get from friends, professionals and others the better. I don't know if there is a sleep specialist in your area but I would go on other websites until you can find one and get some medical clout behind you. I know this must seem unbearable at times, but if it is any comfort to know, many of us with N have, as you noted, troubles because of N. But ....but....with the right help and staying connected you can get through this. I am not sure about what advice to give you except to say that in my opinion (and I am not a doctor or lawyer) it is good practice to gather as much information as you can from as many sources as you can and make an informed decision that is in your best interest having considered all the benefits and risks. Hang in there Benjamin!!

[Dreamer]

Wow! It is terrible what they did to you! They CAN"T do that kind of thing to you...especially if it is union! WTH? I am not one of those "sue happy" people, but I really hope you sought out some legal advice on this (btw, there are FREE legal services you can get! Pretty sure every state has some!)! I had some reactions/ issues similar to this happen to me several years ago when I was diagnosed, but I was scared and ignorant and stupid and did not pursue any legal action. I wish I would have, now. Your company is being far worse than I was treated and you have a chance to stand up for yourself (and others that may eventually be put in the same situation), so I really hope you take it!

Please let us know how things are going and what came to be with everything! Good Luck!

[Stefan_Pierre_Poulin]

Benjamin- I cannot belieave the garbage you delt with and continue to deal with. I feel for you!! I know how hard it is to stay positive at times like this but if you need a friend or someone to talk to who knows what it is like feel free to email me at poulin.spp@gmail.com Hope to hear from you soon -Stefan

[Lis]

wow! that is just so wrong! I'm so sorry. I would definitely get some legal advice. First, a lawyer who would review your info. and let you know if you have a strong case against that company...and yes, I would DEFINITELY go after your company for pain and suffering, harrassment, etc. Then I would get a good disability lawyer to help you win your SSDI. They usually charge no money up front and take a portion of what you get from SSD AFTER you win. In other words, if you don't win, you don't pay. If you do win, your lawyer is paid a direct percentage of your winnings. :)Please let us know how everything goes. I know it's hard.

[benji837]

I'm giving an update. Since all this I hired a disability lawyer and he was not prepared at the ALJ and the ALJ hearing was postponed for 3 more months on January 17th 2012. I have been diagnosed with many more workplace injuries including retention cysts, chronic rhinosinitus, chronic pansinitus, a bran injury and brain injury. Also high levels of stress, anxiey, panic attacks,hypersomnolance and many many more things. I have a work comp lawyer now and have deposition coming up and a scary company IME(independent medical exam) coming up on 2/1/2012. He said he may also go for a toxic tort/liability claim but I continue to lose and lose and have more and more problems and don't know where to turn I have a counselor but I can't talk to her well because my lawyers and the defense lawyers keep subpoena her records and she won't talk to me much.



Any other advice for me? I hope everything goes well for you as it is not for me. I'm not complaining just updating.

[Debbie]

I was given a note by my doctor to take into my work to ask for a straight day shift on 11/25/2009. I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea on 11/4/2009 and Narcolepsy and cataplexy on 11/19/2009. I took the Note In November 30th 2009 and this is when my world was turned upside down. The plant manager at my job used vulger language towards me on 11/30/09 demanding to ask what my medical condition was. The next day 12/1/2009 he called me into his office and told me to sign a release for the company doctors to review my medical information or he would have to fire me on the spot; I have this on tape.. He told me I had two choices death or the streets and he felt the streets was the better option in his opinon he was very rude and understand.. I am in the union and they did nothing but blame me and make fun of me in meetings with the company. He kept me on the job 11/30/09-12/4/09 my days off were 12/5/09-12/08/09 to return to work on 12/9/09. I was called by the same plant manager on 12/7/09 and was told to go on short-term disibility and not to come back to work on 12/9/09 and I would be best off to just look for another job as he refused to accomadate. It was a very rough miserable 4 years of torture at that company. I began there on 3/20/2006 and they have been very rude and blamed me for everything. They call me all the time and tell me to come and get my in very vulgar language **** out of the company which is wrong and even crank call my home. This is a very rough company called Archer Daniels Midlands in Decatur, IL if you look them up there has been a movie and a book made about them and they have a bad moral, legal, and ethical record. I am only 26 have never drank a drink or at the least a sip of beer, done or tried any illegal drugs and have never taken a puff out of a cigarette. I have not have had any invasive tests done yet and have been diagnosed with Narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic non-allergic rhinitis, cataplexy, throat problems, chronic rhinitis, over weight since I went to the company I was 144 when I started and 261 when I left I have managed to get my weight down to 218 since December. I got sick at that plant and they deny it. I was in great health when I went there and with all the chemicals and the dirty and damged facility with improper PPE many people are getting sick. I have been denied short-term disibility and just got it with a major fight. I have spend hours on the phone getting it extended week to week. I have now been denied SSDI and LONG-TERM DISIBILITY INSURANCE through the company. My medications for provigil and all my other meds keep getting approved and denied preventing me from getting stabalized. this has ruined my life. I have trouble in dating, am smart but can't focus in school or do anything anymore people wonder why I am not working but the company has me listed inactive. I just don't know what to do anymore and would like some help:( I have done a lot of reading and know most of you have suffered in life like me also from what I have read I want it so badly but everything is so hard to do. I just would love someone to talk to who understood me so we could help each other. Also do I need a lawyer or what for all this legal mess? And any reccomendations would be greatly appreciated! Thank you and thanks for all your great help and time.

Sincerely,

Benjamin J. Manning(Newly Diagnosed with Narcolepsy)

[Debbie]

Hi Benjamin, I am so sorry to hear there this is happening to you. Do not give up applying for disability. Get an attorney. I used Patrick Tomey. I also have some important & valuable information on Xyrem for Cataplexy & Narcalepsy. Please call me @ 763-412-2111.

Thank You,
Debbie Rogers