Transcript
Hi, I'm Emma.
In this video
I would like to share
with you some tips
for returning to work,
if you feel ready.
It can be hard to know
when is a good time
to return
to work.
Ask for guidance
from your speech
therapist
or your doctor.
Try volunteering
first.
My job,
before I had
my stroke, involved
high levels
of communication.
I had to do
many tasks at once.
I knew that
this was not possible
to return
to this role.
SCOPE Australia
is an employment service
for people
with a disability.
They could be
a good first step
to finding work.
I was fortunate
that my employer
was willing
to have me come back.
Because they knew
I had not lost
my knowledge
and intelligence.
The best advice
I can give
is to negotiate
a return to work plan.
It is best
if you can do this
with your employer
and an allied
health professional.
Be realistic
about what
you think
you can manage.
Build up your hours
and days of work
slowly.
I find that instead of
taking a full
hour at lunch,
it was better
to break that
into two 30 minute breaks.
I also
gradually increased
the number of days
I worked.
Hours of work per day
increased over
several weeks.
Don't forget to consider
the time
you may have
to travel to your job.
Do you drive
or take
public transport?
All these factors
need to be considered.
It is also important
to know what time
in the day
you work best.
Most of my communication
tasks are
done in the morning.
When I am fresher
and less tired.
In the afternoon
I can devote myself
to one task at a time.
These tasks are computer
based and require
no conversation.
Get as much equipment
as necessary
to help you
manage your job.
Headphones,
special keyboards,
chairs
or whatever
is needed
to make the job easier.
I had a friend
who works in hospitality
and she wears a badge
telling people
she has aphasia.
Don't hide
your condition
from workmates.
Use it as an opportunity
to educate people
about aphasia.
Many jobs can be done
by working from home now.
I work
three days at home
and one in the office.
It is good
for my aphasia
to be with people
and practice
my communication skills
in the office.
Tell people
what works best for you.
If you are negotiating
a new job, be honest
about your disability.
But also
try to be optimistic.
But listen to your body
and don't push
yourself too much.
I will talk more
about fatigue
in a later video.
