November is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month sponsored by the US COPD Coalition. COPD is a serious lung disease that affects roughly 30 million Americans. Symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing. Over time, COPD makes it hard for people to breathe. In its more serious stages, COPD can get in the way of basic tasks, such as doing light housework, taking a walk, and even washing and dressing yourself.
This year's theme is "Me and COPD." The theme highlights the organization's efforts to promote personalized care to members in the COPD community. The "Me and COPD" campaign was designed to recognize everyone impacted by COPD, including patients and their caregivers, friends, family and healthcare providers.
If you or someone you know has COPD, the following resources can help.
• Job Accommodations Network (JAN) - JAN provides free, confidential technical assistance and resources about job accommodations, such as Accommodation Ideas for Employees with Respiratory Impairment. Talk to a JAN expert for help getting adjustments to help you perform your job.
• COPD Foundation - Interested in going back to work? Check out this fact sheet that discusses the benefits of addressing COPD in the workplace that you can share with your employer. Additionally, join COPD360social, an online community for people affected by COPD. COPD360social provides members with a place to share thoughts and ideas, ask questions, start discussions, read and comment on blogs and communicate with peers. Register to become a member today and join the talk on issues faced in the workplace due to COPD and working with COPD.
If you are age 18 through 64, receive Social Security disability benefits and are interested in working, the Ticket to Work program may be right for you. The Ticket to Work program offers Social Security disability beneficiaries choices in getting the services and support they need to find work and reach their career goals.
Check out Debra Corse's Success Story - Debra received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for nine years, while receiving treatment for COPD. Through help from Ticket to Work, she now works for a flexible employer that can accommodate her disability.
To learn how Ticket to Work can help you, contact the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 (V) or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). Representatives are standing by Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET.
*Image above is unchanged via the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Learn More Breathe Better Facebook page.
