Hi Gupz, and welcome,
This is a deceptively simple question, but has no simple answer.
The reason being that MS strikes everyone differently, so there is no list of jobs that are/are not suitable for people with MS.
There are very few jobs that would be closed to you by law, although I would think soldier, firefighter or airline pilot would prove a bit tricky, as I doubt you could meet the required standards of fitness. But otherwise, you cannot be turned down for a job simply for having MS, and in most cases (except the few where full health would be crucial) you cannot even be required to disclose it.
So, the same as for healthy people, it’s all about considering what your own personal strengths and limitations are, and what fits in with your lifestyle. That might involve considering working part-time, where you had previously anticipated only full time, or more of a desk-based or research-based job, where you had previously envisaged being very “hands on”.
I do not think there is any such thing - or that I can produce - a list of “suitable” jobs, because I do not know in detail how you are affected, and I do not know what is available in your chosen sector. I think all you can do is look at jobs in your field, and take each on its merits. What do the duties involve? Could you do them? Might you be able to do them with certain help - e.g. computer voice recognition software, instead of having to type? Is it/might it be available part-time, or as a job-share?
I’ve got to be honest and say that up 'til 2012 I was very lucky in being able to work from home - nothing to do with health. I worked for a very large company, but they did not discourage home working, because it saves them a lot of money renting office space etc.
But then, in Summer 2012, I was made redundant, and have not seriously looked for a replacement. I am in the rather odd position of not really being unemployed (because I’m not seeking work), but not being “sick”, because I’m not bad enough to qualify for any state sickness or disability-related benefits.
I just about make it to college one afternoon a week, but do not drive, and know I could not accept any job with a daily commute, because I feel exhausted just doing it once a week for a couple of hours’ college.
I do not mean to discourage you, as this doesn’t mean there isn’t anything for you, but there are a lot of things to weigh up, not just about the work itself, but about whether you would be able to cope with necessary daily travel (I will also not go out when it’s at all icy, for fear of falling - as my balance, too, is not good - but I couldn’t just take the whole ofJanuary and February off.)
Employers do have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to help people with MS do their jobs - if you opt to disclose, which is not obligatory.
An organisation called Access to Work may be able to help with both practical suggestions for adjustments that may help, and possible help with your employers’ costs of implementing them. I’ve not used them personally, but many people here have reported positively.
I’m sorry not to be more specific, but asking what kinds of jobs are available to someone with MS is a bit like asking what kind of food you might like - i.e. there’s loads of it out there, but you know best what you like eating, and a stranger can’t tell you.
I think if you did a survey here of what everyone is doing, or used to do, you’d find it very mixed indeed. Probably few intensely physical jobs, but otherwise as varied as you’d find in any slice of population.
Tina
