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Fiona Liston is 26 and lives in Kent. She has had rheumatoid arthritis since 2001.
‘I teach citizenship and things like budgeting skills in a prison. I work four days a week. I can’t handle more. I’d like to do three days, but I can’t afford to. At the minute I’ve got swollen joints due to stress at work.
My employer is not as bad as my previous one, who wouldn’t let me have the afternoon off for love nor money. They sort of understand that I’m ill, but they don’t understand that stress makes it worse.
Earlier this year I wasn’t coping. I was having some trouble at work and was really tired and in pain as well. The sick policy means I can only have two weeks off at a time. I felt like I needed three months off. Now I kind of feel ready for another two weeks off. Of course you don’t want to, because it doesn’t look good.
Some colleagues understand that I’m ill and make allowances. If I want something lifting, the boys [inmates] will help me out but it’s difficult to get the prison to do anything. I get the feeling it’s a losing battle. If I want time off for hospital appointments, I have to go as close as possible to the end of the day. It makes me feel a bit guilty.
I’m drained from work. At the moment I wouldn’t be able to get through the day without tablets that keep me awake. I’d like it to be easier to get help – from the benefits system, the rheumatologist and help around the house. You fill in the forms, and the emphasis is on whether you can walk. I can walk, but can I stay wake at work past 11am?’
