Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
6/7/2017 9:22:53 AM EDT
Anyone have any experience with this disease? I volunteered for MDA back in college, helped set up some events for some of the bravest little kids I've ever met in my life. Unfortunately, I never learned much about it or what causes it... I understand that its a degenerative disease caused by genetic mutations that causes you to lose muscle strength, but not much else.

At work I am hiring for a position, and a really strong candidate also happens to have MD. He needs some special accommodations, but they arent that big of a deal at all. Bright kid, and I like him a lot. He's a good fit and I think he'd do the job well.

With the disease being continually degenerative though... will it become more difficult to communicate over time? For him to do his job? Is the disease only physical, or will it compromise his mental faculties as well?

I hate to ask GD about something like this but these aren't exactly easy questions to ask him, not to mention fear of lawsuits, etc for overstepping. I work for a small business and we dont have an "HR dept" to lean on. We're also early in the hiring process and I just met the guy. I'm trying to learn more.
6/7/2017 9:27:41 AM EDT
[#1]
I'm not an expert but I did go to school with a kid that had MD.  His health noticeably degenerated over time.  He was somewhat normal in terms of mobility and within 5 years he couldn't even lift his hand to control his wheelchair.  I'm not sure if it was an agressive form or if that was normal.  Mentally he was as sharp as anyone and never had trouble talking.  With the medical advancements these days I wouldn't be worried about hiring someone with it.  You will be able to accommodate him.  If Stephen hawkings can do the work he does with his limitations then this kid can too
6/7/2017 9:34:40 AM EDT
[#2]
I was a helper for a guy with MD for a few summers back school, he work on the computer for about 45 mins then do some stretching and walk around(more like dancing) a bit then back to work. he was pretty far along, he was either in an electric wheelchair or had some one helping him walk. Mentally he was all there no problems there.
6/7/2017 9:37:46 AM EDT
[#3]
Tell the employer that you'd like to be considered should another position open in the future, but that you'd like to see if they will hire him over you. Let them know of your history of volunteering for the MDA, and what it means to you. You'd get serious Karma points wit the employer. That's if you want to white knight the whole thing.
6/7/2017 9:45:47 AM EDT
[#4]
Quote History
Quoted:
I'm not an expert but I did go to school with a kid that had MD.  His health noticeably degenerated over time.  He was somewhat normal in terms of mobility and within 5 years he couldn't even lift his hand to control his wheelchair.  I'm not sure if it was an agressive form or if that was normal.  Mentally he was as sharp as anyone and never had trouble talking.  With the medical advancements these days I wouldn't be worried about hiring someone with it.  You will be able to accommodate him.  If Stephen hawkings can do the work he does with his limitations then this kid can too
View Quote
Yeah, he is in an electric wheel chair and needs help getting in and out. The position requires the use of a computer my only concern would be if he couldn't do that quickly  any longer. I work in a niche industry and we have to spend a lot of time training... If he isn't able to do the job within a few years, I don't think we can bring him on
6/7/2017 9:49:31 AM EDT
[#5]
There are several types of MD, with some he will go down continuously over the next 5, with others it could be decades. I am just about 100% sure you can't ask if he has MD, much less what type.
6/7/2017 9:51:55 AM EDT
[#6]
Serious thread belong in team.
6/7/2017 9:52:36 AM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Quoted:
Yeah, he is in an electric wheel chair and needs help getting in and out. The position requires the use of a computer my only concern would be if he couldn't do that quickly  any longer. I work in a niche industry and we have to spend a lot of time training... If he isn't able to do the job within a few years, I don't think we can bring him on
View Quote
Then you already know the answer.
6/7/2017 10:04:55 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Quoted:
There are several types of MD, with some he will go down continuously over the next 5, with others it could be decades. I am just about 100% sure you can't ask if he has MD, much less what type.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
There are several types of MD, with some he will go down continuously over the next 5, with others it could be decades. I am just about 100% sure you can't ask if he has MD, much less what type.
He has disclosed that he has MD, and I'm kinda walking on egg shells about it. I just want to make sure he can do the job for at least 3-5 years... Not sure if I'm allowed to ask that.

We're still evaluating other candidates so its not a done deal yet


Quoted:
Serious thread belong in team.
Understood, but it only affects about 50k Americans.... Need to cast a wide net for direct experience here
6/7/2017 10:15:16 AM EDT
[#9]
As you can probably gather, i have quite a bit of experience with MD as a pediatric private duty nurse. If you are concerned about typing, there are a lot of adaptive, voice to text programs out there which depending on what kind of typing is needed, could keep him on the job for years after he is unable to type fast with his hands.
6/7/2017 10:25:51 AM EDT
[#10]
Quote History
Quoted:
As you can probably gather, i have quite a bit of experience with MD as a pediatric private duty nurse. If you are concerned about typing, there are a lot of adaptive, voice to text programs out there which depending on what kind of typing is needed, could keep him on the job for years after he is unable to type fast with his hands.
View Quote
Thanks for helping to shed some light on the topic.

The job would entail manipulating drawings CAD/CAM. Not sure if that can be done via voice, or if such a thing is even possible.
6/7/2017 10:30:02 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote History
Quoted:
Serious thread belong in team.
View Quote
We can make no promises of restraint