My short-term disability is about to end. I am an instructional assistant at a school board. I have been there for over 25 years. I’m about to apply for LTD through Manulife -some background Information: I’m a 50-year-old female and in August 2023 I suffered and ischaemic stroke. Since then, I have had further diagnosis- One being antibody anti-phospholipid syndrome or APS, which requires me to go get bloodwork every week to adjust my warfarin dose. I am seen by a hematologist, a rheumatologist and a neurologist. After seeing the neurologist, initially, they could not understand why woman healthy my age would have a stroke. Subsequently is when they found my diagnosis after much tests, and I was also diagnosed with a carotid Web , which is a defect in my carotid artery, causing blockage.
Right at the time of my stroke I was about to start at a new school that September in 2023. I went back to work and did my best and have been on accommodations. My initial accommodations after the stroke were to have regular notes to avoid multitasking, as well as previous accommodations had over the years consistently which were avoiding lifting and only standing for 15 minutes as I’ve had degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis for years. I attempted a return to full-time hours last June 2024. It was extremely challenging, and I was unable to handle it well. Upon returning to school in September of this year 2024 my doctor provided accommodations again for my back and having notes in writing (to assist with memory. ) I have discussed many times my challenges with multitasking I work in a very high stress job with volatile students in this new program since my stroke at the new school. My superiors have not been supportive. I have been left alone, many occasions and the stress of further diagnoses getting bloodwork every week, dealing with the aggravated pain in my back and the fear of another stroke with all these complications has been challenging. .my accommodations stated to have regular breaks In November 2024, And this did not occur . I have been off work since an incident where I was left alone a in a room with a student, Who became highly aggressive volatile yelling, throwing things which one item hit me in the face. I was unable to call for support and I’ve been terrified to go back ever since. This time in November, I saw my neurologist, wrote a letter stating that my stability may be affected permanently as a result of the stroke. I also have been rushed to the hospital twice as I fainted and I am now on high blood pressure medication, as well.
Further to that I just saw my rheumatologist As I’m experiencing nerve issues, issues and tingling sensations with clicking and bone grinding. I am now starting another medication to help my body to stop attacking itself with my auto immune disorder. My doctor just filled out a bunch of paperwork for my pension disability benefit. I received a letter asking for my doctor to fill in my Manulife disability form for LTD, but I can’t get in before the date and they say it has to be in before May 1St., to apply for Ltd. I’m Wondering if I could use my disability letter as it says dated April 6 that my return to work is unknown at this time . Subsequent medical notes from my doctor address and neurological issues as well as my back pain , And primarily at the time that I am off because of stress ., I’m extremely fearful of going back to work without support and the aggression. Since my stroke, I cry a lot more and when I met with many issues, I become overwhelmed …. Preparing for LTD to deny my claim and I’m reaching out preemptively to see If I have the right information and didn’t share, my LTD is not denied. I don’t know how to go about this since my stroke. I’ve had so many complications today. I just started a new medication And I have to get my eyes checked as it can affect my eyes. I’ve been experiencing a lot of recurrent sciatica and just about went to emergency last night. My general doctor has mental health is a factor as the stress killing me as well as all these continued diagnoses., If you have any suggestions for what I should send or anything at all, I just thought I’d share my situation. Do you think they will deny my claim as my current diagnosis is different from my other ones even though they are all compounded I think is the word