WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.316 --> 00:00:03.126 >> Meet Aubrey Lang, a wife, mother, 2 00:00:03.126 --> 00:00:05.646 and Human Resource Transitions Counselor 3 00:00:05.896 --> 00:00:08.496 in Cornell University's benefit's department. 4 00:00:08.786 --> 00:00:10.266 >> When I was pregnant with my son, 5 00:00:10.756 --> 00:00:12.816 I acquired a large blood clot. 6 00:00:13.246 --> 00:00:15.546 A lot of times these things resolve 7 00:00:15.546 --> 00:00:21.076 and are temporary issues, but for me the damage was permanent 8 00:00:21.076 --> 00:00:23.856 and so it's something that I deal with on a life-long basis. 9 00:00:24.256 --> 00:00:26.366 It's something I've had to grow accustomed to but, 10 00:00:26.676 --> 00:00:28.236 in the vein of things happen for a reason. 11 00:00:28.236 --> 00:00:32.826 I feel is important to share my story and help others 12 00:00:32.826 --> 00:00:33.726 if I'm able to do that. 13 00:00:34.046 --> 00:00:37.236 >> Aubrey wrestled with whether she should disclose her acquired 14 00:00:37.236 --> 00:00:39.236 condition with her employer. 15 00:00:39.416 --> 00:00:40.486 >> It was an adjustment. 16 00:00:41.146 --> 00:00:43.456 And I had never dealt with anything like that before, 17 00:00:43.806 --> 00:00:46.856 so I didn't know -- am I supposed to talk about it? 18 00:00:46.856 --> 00:00:48.386 Can I talk about it? 19 00:00:48.796 --> 00:00:53.146 But, it became clear rather quickly that the same type 20 00:00:53.756 --> 00:00:57.166 of work style that I had prior wasn't going to work for me. 21 00:00:57.166 --> 00:01:01.416 And the concern was will I continue to do what I do? 22 00:01:01.606 --> 00:01:05.196 Reaching out to my supervisor and a few others, 23 00:01:05.626 --> 00:01:07.666 I learned about the Employment Disability Institute. 24 00:01:08.196 --> 00:01:13.576 And, I wanted to better understand the legalities behind 25 00:01:13.736 --> 00:01:15.656 it and what the recommendations might be. 26 00:01:16.176 --> 00:01:19.386 And for me, personally, the decision to self-disclose 27 00:01:19.386 --> 00:01:22.906 and open up a bit more -- it was twofold. 28 00:01:22.906 --> 00:01:25.526 I needed to learn as much as I could about my condition 29 00:01:25.756 --> 00:01:28.366 so that I could learn how to better manage myself 30 00:01:28.966 --> 00:01:32.986 and then determine will it impact the way I do my work? 31 00:01:33.236 --> 00:01:37.916 And in my case it would, but I believe it's good 32 00:01:37.916 --> 00:01:40.636 to identify an issue and then propose a solution. 33 00:01:40.976 --> 00:01:43.776 >> Aubrey now has a sit-to-stand workstation. 34 00:01:44.276 --> 00:01:48.346 Co-workers and supervisors also understand that she needs to get 35 00:01:48.346 --> 00:01:50.286 up and down and move around a lot. 36 00:01:50.976 --> 00:01:52.056 >> It is not negotiable. 37 00:01:52.056 --> 00:01:54.006 I have to walk at lunch, 38 00:01:54.006 --> 00:01:56.666 and I have to walk before bed otherwise I'm 39 00:01:56.666 --> 00:01:59.166 in an incredible amount of pain and could clot. 40 00:01:59.166 --> 00:02:01.066 And the type of condition I have, 41 00:02:01.066 --> 00:02:03.126 that could be life altering. 42 00:02:03.446 --> 00:02:06.196 >> Aubrey and her family have had to make adjustments 43 00:02:06.306 --> 00:02:08.476 as they balance work and life. 44 00:02:09.146 --> 00:02:12.376 >> It's something that they're just used to now so it kind 45 00:02:12.376 --> 00:02:13.806 of gives -- we joke about it. 46 00:02:13.806 --> 00:02:17.266 Like oh, moms got to go for a walk so now dad and my son Liam, 47 00:02:17.646 --> 00:02:19.126 you know, can have their time together. 48 00:02:19.416 --> 00:02:21.486 For instance, traveling long periods of time, 49 00:02:21.786 --> 00:02:24.766 I have to stop every hour to get out and walk 50 00:02:25.576 --> 00:02:27.076 around otherwise it becomes problematic. 51 00:02:27.076 --> 00:02:28.486 And it's not beneficial. 52 00:02:28.486 --> 00:02:32.006 And I'll be in pain for not just an hour or two but days. 53 00:02:32.006 --> 00:02:36.716 The thing that I wish people understood more was that a lot 54 00:02:36.716 --> 00:02:38.506 of us -- this just kind of happens. 55 00:02:38.506 --> 00:02:40.906 It wasn't something that we planned. 56 00:02:41.156 --> 00:02:43.726 It wasn't something that we would wish upon ourselves. 57 00:02:43.726 --> 00:02:45.566 In some ways it feels like a blessing and a curse, 58 00:02:46.066 --> 00:02:49.526 but I'm not looking for anyone to feel sorry for me. 59 00:02:50.526 --> 00:02:55.236 It's really -- I think over time we all acquire something. 60 00:02:55.436 --> 00:02:57.536 You know, these ships weren't built to last forever.