Working wth Ollier's

This is a question I see quite often asked by other patients or their nervous parents. 

Depending on the situation, it can be challenging. 

However, the optimist in me likes to believe that where there is a will, there is a way. And hopefully help exists for those who simply can’t work from the government of whatever country they live in. That is how the world should be, anyway, but I know that is not necessarily how it is. (This will be a post for another day.)

I will explain why I chose my path as perhaps it will make sense to someone else: 

Diagnosed at 6, I did wonder over the years how I would approach my future. 

It is a fact that I have certain physical limitations.  Overall, mine are not that big of a deal, but I do find certain things difficult. Standing for long periods of time, for example. This is because my leg-length discrepancy (about 4.5 cm) is hard on my back. I knew working fast-food would be a nightmare, for example. I tried when I was younger, so I know for sure :D.  

On top, it seems I constantly have vitamin D and calcium deficiencies (no matter how much extra I take – levels must be watched closely, constantly! No clue if this is related to Ollier’s, or if it is just how I am). I am often weak and tired. (At least I was before starting the  ketogenic diet  and being closely followed for these other issues as well. Things are much better now). 

Anyway, I knew I would not be able to do work that was too intense. 

It might sound strange to say, but I also did not want to spend too many years at university. I was worried about how quickly I would deteriorate. 

At 22, I was enroute to completing my master’s (in a PhD rollover program ). I gave it up for many reasons. 

One was that I knew it would have taken a lot of time and energy. It just did not seem like it would be “worth” it. (I have always known  I would get chondrosarcoma, (tumours in the pelvis are quite susceptible) and you do not get to choose where you end up as a prof. I have a pre-existing medical condition so do not qualify for all sorts of insurance. I did not want to be in that situation. What if I didn't even live long enough to finish? An extreme and irrational perspective perhaps, but I am not always (ever? LOL) composed and rational). 

I come from a family with highly educated members, so this was a little tough. But it is what it is, I have less letters surrounding my name. Oh well. 

Secondly, I wanted to start working relatively quickly to feel financially independent and in control (rather than be reliant on grants, etc.).  

Thirdly, I had met the man that is now my husband. He is French, so I wanted to be able to work anywhere in the world the two of us might end up.

(Unexpectedly, we now live in Switzerland. I left Canada and basically my entire reality behind 16 years ago. It is lovely here, but there are times when it is hard to be so far away from my family, friends, and immersed in a different culture. (I am anglophone Canadian, not a Quebecer, which makes it harder. I will not deny that I am culturally, temporally, and linguistically isolated). 

Lastly, I wanted work I could do if we decided to have children (spoiler alert: we have 2! 13 and 10 now). 

Based on these constraints and my love of science, I used my B.Sc. (behavioural neuroscience) to get a teaching degree instead. I qualified as a secondary science teacher nearly 20 years ago. I have been instructing biology and mathematics since (mostly the IB program). 

I was a classroom teacher for several years. In Montreal at first, and then at one of Switzerland’s renowned boarding schools.   

My admins were kind to me with respect to my condition and did not mind if I needed to sit during lessons. Very nice of them. A small accommodation can go so far…

For many reasons (introverted, prefer choosing which subjects I teach, etc.), classroom teaching wasn’t ultimately for me. 

Instead, I started a tiny tutoring company, giving private lessons in mathematics and biology to English-speaking students at international schools. 

This is work I can do physically, and it is mentally stimulating as well. It is work I am happy I can do, happy to have. I can fit my work in around appointments and taking care of my children. 

There you have it. This one person’s approach to how she works with Ollier’s.