Coping with chronic illness at work: case studies of five successful employees

Abstract

In this article, we describe how five resilient individuals coped with career problems created by chronic illnesses. Using a variety of ‘work enhancers’ to maintain employment, each individual in the study is a positive role model for other employed people in similar circumstances. At the same time, the employees with chronic illnesses in this study have serious concerns about their ability to retain employment. These concerns are discussed as well, with particular reference to the need for systematic and intermittent post-employment support from rehabilitation professionals.