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Having an invisible disease at GitHub
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Jamie Strusz
October 11, 2017
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Having an invisible disease at GitHub
A personal account of working while having an invisible disease.
Jamie Strusz
October 11, 2017
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Transcript
Having an invisible disease at GitHub A personal account with
@allthedoll
Jamie Strusz Services Engineer @ GitHub Likes art; takes too
many photos of her dog ! allthedoll !
Source: https://www.instagram.com/yorickthecorgi/
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?
What is an invisible disease?
An invisible disease is a chronic health issue that is
not immediately apparent.
Some examples • Mental health conditions • Anxiety/panic disorders •
Depression • Bipolar Disorder • ADHD
Some examples • Neurologic disease (disease in the brain, spine,
and nerves) • Multiple Sclerosis • Epilepsy • Migraines • Parkinson’s Disease
Some examples • Rheumatic disease (inflammation affecting joints and muscles)
• Fibromyalgia • Lupus • Rheumatoid arthritis • Scleroderma
What they have in common • Harder to identify •
Vary widely • Often misunderstood and stigmatized
My disease and how I work with it
When you look at me, can you tell I’m sick?
(Other than the fact that I’m on crutches, which is unrelated…)
Source: https://giphy.com
Isn’t that what Michael J. Fox has? Yes.
But you’re so young! I know.
Does that mean you shake? Not necessarily.
Source: Sports Illustrated/Getty Images Muhammad Ali
Source: AARP.com/JEFF LIPSKY Michael J. Fox
Source: Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Janet Reno
Source: CNN.com/Getty Images Bob Hoskins
Source: AMERA PRESS/Seamus Ryan Billy Connolly
Source: Jon Furniss/WireImage Robin Williams
I’d like to tell you about some of my symptoms.
Dystonia Source: https://giphy.com
Rigidity Source: Macall B. Polay/HBO
REM Sleep Disorder Source: https://giphy.com
Insomnia Source: https://giphy.com
Anxiety Source: https://giphy.com
Tremor Source: https://giphy.com
None of this means I can’t be an engineer.
How I manage my disease.
My treatment Source: https://giphy.com
My treatment Source: https://giphy.com
My treatment Source: https://giphy.com
My treatment Source: https://giphy.com
Other treatment options • Medication • Deep Brain Stimulation Source:
https://giphy.com
Source: https://giphy.com • The same way most people do •
But at GitHub ❤ How do you work?
• 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/
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
A note…
I shouldn’t have to feel lucky.
This needs to be standard.
How did you disclose your disease? Source: https://giphy.com
How companies can create a positive work environment
Surefire ways to exclude people with invisible diseases Source: https://giphy.com
Surefire ways to exclude people with invisible diseases Source: https://giphy.com
An example: Source: https://giphy.com
So how can we optimize options for optimal health?
Remote options Source: https://giphy.com
Flexible hours Source: https://giphy.com
Defaulting to asynchronous communication Source: https://giphy.com
Emphasis on work-life balance Source: https://giphy.com
Physical conditions at work Source: https://www.instagram.com/yorickthecorgi/
Corporate culture matters Source: https://giphy.com
Promote general health and wellbeing Source: https://giphy.com
Create an naturally adaptive workplace.
How individuals can be supportive coworkers
Have empathy Source: https://giphy.com
Collaborate Source: https://giphy.com
Be positive Source: https://giphy.com
Don’t judge Source: https://giphy.com
Don’t gossip Source: https://giphy.com
How does all of this benefit everyone?
Higher morale!
Positive, caring image
Less stress for everyone
Improved sense of wellbeing
Camaraderie
A quick thank you To my work family
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!
My colleagues are the most empathetic, collaborative, positive, and nonjudgmental
group of people I have ever had the privilege to work with.
None
TL;DR
Strive to be the kind of business that puts humans
first.
Be the best possible person you can be, and you’ll
be a good coworker.
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.
Thank you
Jamie You can find me in Seattle, on GitHub, and
alltheinternet: ! allthedoll ! allthedoll " allthedoll !