Having an invisible disease at GitHub

A personal account of working while having an invisible disease.

Transcript

1. Having an invisible disease at GitHub A personal account with @allthedoll
2. Jamie Strusz Services Engineer @ GitHub Likes art; takes too many photos of her dog ! allthedoll !
3. Source: https://www.instagram.com/yorickthecorgi/
4. The agenda • What is an invisible disease? • My disease and how I work with it • How companies can create a more inclusive work environment • How individuals can be supportive coworkers • How does all of this benefit everyone?
5. What is an invisible disease?
6. An invisible disease is a chronic health issue that is not immediately apparent.
7. Some examples • Mental health conditions • Anxiety/panic disorders • Depression • Bipolar Disorder • ADHD
8. Some examples • Neurologic disease (disease in the brain, spine, and nerves) • Multiple Sclerosis • Epilepsy • Migraines • Parkinson’s Disease
9. Some examples • Rheumatic disease (inflammation affecting joints and muscles) • Fibromyalgia • Lupus • Rheumatoid arthritis • Scleroderma
10. What they have in common • Harder to identify • Vary widely • Often misunderstood and stigmatized
11. My disease and how I work with it
12. When you look at me, can you tell I’m sick? (Other than the fact that I’m on crutches, which is unrelated…)
13. Source: https://giphy.com
14. Isn’t that what Michael J. Fox has? Yes.
15. But you’re so young! I know.
16. Does that mean you shake? Not necessarily.
17. Source: Sports Illustrated/Getty Images Muhammad Ali
18. Source: AARP.com/JEFF LIPSKY Michael J. Fox
19. Source: Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Janet Reno
20. Source: CNN.com/Getty Images Bob Hoskins
21. Source: AMERA PRESS/Seamus Ryan Billy Connolly
22. Source: Jon Furniss/WireImage Robin Williams
23. I’d like to tell you about some of my symptoms.
24. Dystonia Source: https://giphy.com
25. Rigidity Source: Macall B. Polay/HBO
26. REM Sleep Disorder Source: https://giphy.com
27. Insomnia Source: https://giphy.com
28. Anxiety Source: https://giphy.com
29. Tremor Source: https://giphy.com
30. None of this means I can’t be an engineer.
31. How I manage my disease.
32. My treatment Source: https://giphy.com
33. My treatment Source: https://giphy.com
34. My treatment Source: https://giphy.com
35. My treatment Source: https://giphy.com
36. Other treatment options • Medication • Deep Brain Stimulation Source: https://giphy.com
37. Source: https://giphy.com • The same way most people do • But at GitHub ❤ How do you work?
38. • Flexible hours • A sit/stand desk • Remote work • Breaks as needed • I feel comfortable asking for help Adaptations working at GitHub affords me Source: https://www.instagram.com/yorickthecorgi/
39. Source: https://giphy.com How I would struggle at a traditional workplace • I can’t sit at a desk easily, let alone for eight hours • Schedules are less flexible, if at all
40. A note…
41. I shouldn’t have to feel lucky.
42. This needs to be standard.
43. How did you disclose your disease? Source: https://giphy.com
44. How companies can create a positive work environment
45. Surefire ways to exclude people with invisible diseases Source: https://giphy.com
46. Surefire ways to exclude people with invisible diseases Source: https://giphy.com
47. An example: Source: https://giphy.com
48. So how can we optimize options for optimal health?
49. Remote options Source: https://giphy.com
50. Flexible hours Source: https://giphy.com
51. Defaulting to asynchronous communication Source: https://giphy.com
52. Emphasis on work-life balance Source: https://giphy.com
53. Physical conditions at work Source: https://www.instagram.com/yorickthecorgi/
54. Corporate culture matters Source: https://giphy.com
55. Promote general health and wellbeing Source: https://giphy.com
56. Create an naturally adaptive workplace.
57. How individuals can be supportive coworkers
58. Have empathy Source: https://giphy.com
59. Collaborate Source: https://giphy.com
60. Be positive Source: https://giphy.com
61. Don’t judge Source: https://giphy.com
62. Don’t gossip Source: https://giphy.com
63. How does all of this benefit everyone?
64. Higher morale!
65. Positive, caring image
66. Less stress for everyone
67. Improved sense of wellbeing
68. Camaraderie
69. A quick thank you To my work family
70. Ways my coworkers have helped me • Asking about my health • Helping with my workload if I’m over-tasked • Rescheduling coworking times • Physically helping me walk • Opening bottles • Hugs!
71. My colleagues are the most empathetic, collaborative, positive, and nonjudgmental group of people I have ever had the privilege to work with.
73. TL;DR
74. Strive to be the kind of business that puts humans first.
75. Be the best possible person you can be, and you’ll be a good coworker.
76. If you have an invisible disease, it’s up to you to decide if and who you want to disclose to. I hope you find it empowering.
77. Thank you
78. Jamie You can find me in Seattle, on GitHub, and alltheinternet: ! allthedoll ! allthedoll " allthedoll !