Book Reviews
Joffe, Rosalind & Joan Friedlander. Women, Work, and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working, Girlfriend! Demos. Jun. 2008. c.200p. index. ISBN 978-1-932603-68-2. pap. $18.95. HEALTH
“Despite having been diagnosed with chronic illnesses, coauthors Joffe (founder, cicoach.com), who has multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis, and Friedlander (founder, LifeWork Business Partners), who has Crohn’s disease, both enjoy successful careers. Here, they offer their expertise to help women with these and other autoimmune conditions (e.g., chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, Graves’ disease) do the same. Thriving at work while living with a chronic illness, they write, will help preserve these women’s independence and senses of self. The authors use first-person accounts to illustrate their advice on coping simultaneously with symptoms and the challenges of the workplace; developing a financial plan; communicating with coworkers, employers, and loved ones; building a support team; and balancing work and family responsibilities. A little book with lots of useful advice; recommended. Visit the authors online at www.keepworkinggirlfriend.com. ” – LibraryJournal.com Review
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” Chronic Illness can be a problem with the quality of our lives, but it doesn’t mean one has to stop living it. This is the premise of co-authors Rosalind Joffe and Joan Friedlander in “Women, Work, and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working, Girlfriend!”, a book of encouragement and practical wisdom for those women who are faced with some form of chronic illness on top of dealing with a career. Focusing on how to overcome it for your career and how to excel at it, it’s an optimistic although realistic look, also containing chapters on dealing with job loss from illness. Any woman with a chronic illness needs to read and can substantially benefit from “Women, Work, and Autoimmune Disease”. Midwest Book Review/ Book Review Index/ Internet Bookwatch
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“MS expert and Crohn’s disease sufferer present a book of inspiration and wisdom for women that live and work with chronic disease… discusses hope and resilience.” –ForeWord Magazine
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“An essential resource and guide for women living with autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis… The final chapter ‘Developing Your Warrior Spirit: Hope and Resilience,’ is a beautiful summation of the tone of the book. The authors include an excellent list of additional reading materials.”–InFocus (Autoimmune Diseases Association)
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“For the chronically ill, the decision to continue working or not, can be an agonizing one. Optimistic, but realistic, Women, Work, and Autoimmune disease helps the reader carefully weigh the pros and cons of working so that they can make an informed and rational choice. Specific steps are offered to help you make accommodations that may allow you to stay in the workforce longer than you thought possible.”–Allison Shadday, author of MS and Your Feelings: Handling the Ups and Downs of Multiple Sclerosis
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“If ever two things were once considered mutually exclusive, they were career and chronic illness. Add to that being a woman and the whole thing sounded like a joke. Well, we’ve come a long way, Baby. According to Rosalind Joffe of cicoach.com and Joan Friedlander, there are millions of women out there succeeding in the workplace despite living with an autoimmune disease (AD). Specifically, as many as 50 million Americans — 20% of the population — are currently living with one of 63 distinct autoimmune diseases. By some estimates, 75% of those people are women.
“Women, Work, and Autoimmune Disease — a much needed field guide to navigating the workplace with a chronic illness. I find this book clear, down-to-earth, and extraordinarily helpful. But first, why women? And why working, when you are supposedly so ill? According to the authors, “women are exposed more often than men to possible AD triggers primarily from the biological hormones and functions associated with the reproductive cycle.” Estrogen plays a role, they say, citing evidence that symptoms of certain illnesses may increase just before and during menopause. Ugh! I couldn’t find any stats, but do wonder if LADA diabetes is more common among women than men (?)
And why do we need a guidebook for this? That’s pretty clear, in my eyes. Have a look at my last post about Rosalind’s work coaching all sorts of people (men and women) on workplace issues. The hurdles begin with disclosure — who should you tell about your illness? and how much do they need to know? It moves on from there to fatigue, frustration, and guilt about not living up to expectations. Then there are all sorts of discrimination issues. Did you know, for example, that very few people struggling at work due to chronic illness engage the Human Resources (HR) Department? Why should they trust HR, which by default always puts the company’s interests first? If HR knows too much, wouldn’t they just be angling to get rid of you?
The ladies’ new book walks you through all of these issues, helping you develop a positive strategy for requesting any accommodations you may need, all while positioning yourself as a valuable team player.” — Diabetesmine.com
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“Experts agree that going back to work is important for self esteem, independence, and for financial freedom. Others say that one should not feel pressure to go back to work and that you can gain a strong sense of self in other ways through hobbies, friendships and more. It is a fine line to walk when your health is at stake. People on both sides of this issue feel strongly on their positions. I am just happy that books like this are out there to help you make a decision that is right for you. I am also happy that many more employers are helping their employees stay at work, or adjust their work arrangements for disability. We have come a long way baby!
Reading other women’s personal experiences was enjoyable and uplifting giving me specific experiences of hope in the work environment. I found the advice in this book, on finding balance in work and life; setting realistic goals for your career and communicating efficiently with your supervisors and co-workers, could be valuable reading for anyone with any chronic health condition, whether you are a man or a woman, whether the condition is autoimmune or not.
I will say that the book’s encouraging, positive nature can possibly be seen as trying to convince the reader to keep working despite illness. I only felt this way at certain points in the book, but I enjoyed the “coaching spirit” behind it.
This is a short easy to read book, packed with information.I think it is important for everyone to make the best decisions for themselves. I also think it is important to make a well informed decision. I recommend this book and I think this book will help anyone going through this process of deciding whether to go back to work or not.
So I say to you, Rosalind…Keep writing Girlfriend!!! “ – But You Don’t Look Sick
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“Pain + Work = ??? The combination can go well, like a burger with fries. You may be able to accomplish great things despite pain, and work can be a focus away from discomfort.
Or it can feel like trying to whip up a 10-course gourmet dinner… in 5 minutes… with your eyes closed.
But what if you had a short-order chef helping with that burger, or Julia Child behind you all the way? Well, support, advice and wisdom is here for you on the subject of work and chronic disease.
Rosalind Joffe (of cicoach.com) and Joan Friedlander have written Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working, Girlfriend, which a great resource.
The book, which is strongly pro-work, reviews:
1. The benefits of working, including money and health coverage, as well as enjoyment and self-esteem.
2. The challenges to working when coping with a chronic illness, such as fatigue and the unpredictability of illness.
What is wonderful about the book is that it doesn’t shy away from tricky subjects such as, Should you discuss your illness with your boss or co-workers? And, What do you do when you physically can’t do your job. Instead it gives thoughtful, knowledgeable advice.
Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working, Girlfriend! is easy to read and practical. I particularly liked the complex, real-life examples. Both authors are experts in this field – Rosalind coaches people through these issues everyday. And both women also understand these issues personally, having dealt with MS, Crohn’s disease, and Ulcerative Colitis. I strongly recommend adding this book to your reading menu!
Work + Pain = You Can Do It! This book shows you how to do the math!” howtocopewithpain.org/blog
Media
RADIO INTERVIEWS
Rosalind and co-author, Joan Friedlander are interviewed by Dr. Terri Orbuch, the “Love Doctor”, on Voice America radio about their book, Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working Girlfriend!
Rosalind is interviewed by Jo Davidson of a Zentertainment Radio and talks about her book, chronic illness, and career.
Rosalind talks about Chronic Illness in the Workplace on National Public Radio “The Health Show”.
Rosalind and co-author, Joan Friedlander, discuss their book, Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease, Keep Working, Girlfriend! on Disability Radio. (Note: On home page, go to “Upcoming shows” and scroll down).
To view Rosalind Joffe’s Media Kit
PRESS RELEASES
Chronic Illness and Work Expert Author’s Book for
Working Women with Autoimmune Disease
Rosalind Joffe, president of cicoach.com, provides tips and survival skills for women with autoimmune diseases to thrive in their career
BOSTON – JUNE 6, 2008 – When Rosalind Joffe was diagnosed with first one and then a second chronic illness, she refused to let the diseases disable her career. Now, with almost 30 years of living with chronic illnesses and having a successful work life, Joffe has co-authored the newly published book, Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working Girlfriend! (Demos Health, May 2008).
“As I worked to balance my life while managing multiple sclerosis and then ulcerative colitis, I met hundreds of women and men who were also trying to create and maintain a quality career while coping with a chronic illness,” says Joffe, a nationally-recognized expert on chronic illness and the workplace, and the founder of cicoach.com, an executive career coaching firm. “I saw that people like me could benefit greatly from getting help around this and created a career dedicated to helping others be successful in their jobs, regardless of their disabilities.”
Based on her experience and expertise, she co-authored the book, Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working Girlfriend!
“Working can be critical to a person’s health and well-being when they live with an autoimmune disease or any chronic illness,” says Joffe. “Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working Girlfriend! provides guidance and inspirational stories to help any woman face the challenges of balancing career building and self-care.”
Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working Girlfriend! covers:
• Why autoimmune diseases are a critically important issue for women
• Common issues women with autoimmune diseases face in the workplace
• Strategies to finding a good job
• Tips for being successful on the job
• Issues and ideas for self employment
• And more
Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working Girlfriend! is available for $18.95 at the Demon Health website and on Amazon for $12.70.
About Rosalind Joffe, M. Ed
Rosalind Joffe is the founder and president of cicoach.com, an executive career coaching firm dedicated to providing the services, resources and products that high achievers living with chronic illness need to succeed in their careers.
She has been interviewed in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, ABC Radio, as well as a variety of regional and national media outlets. In addition, Joffe is published in dozens of disease organization and health journals.
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Author shares step-by-step guide for career women with chronic illness
Rosalind Joffe offers companion Workbook for the book, Women, Work, and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working, Girlfriend!
BOSTON (6/3/2008) – For most women, balancing their personal life and a career is a challenge. But for the millions of women with chronic illnesses, this becomes a daily struggle that feels nearly impossible to accomplish. But published author and career coach, Rosalind Joffe, explains that it doesn’t have to be that way.
The only book of its kind, The Keep Working with Chronic Illness Workbook is an easy-to-use program that addresses all the challenges a career woman with chronic illness faces today including:
• Keeping yourself from being overwhelmed by fear or self-pity
• Determining how chronic illness symptoms will impact workplace performance
• Deciding if a current job is still acceptable
• Figuring out what’s needed in a new job
• Preparing a winning resume, even if your illness has impacted job history
• And much more
Joffe is the co-author of Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working Girlfriend! – a book that encourages women with chronic illness to stay employed to preserve their independence and sense of self.
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Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease
Are You a Woman with an Autoimmune Disease?
You Can “Keep Working, Girlfriend!”
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Welcome to our sisterhood!
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“Ladies, it’s time to get out of bed and back to our lives.Women, Work and Autoimmune disease: Keep Working, Girlfriend! was obviously written by authors who have been there, who live and thrive with a chronic disease, and who know the pitfalls. Rosalind and Joan have encouraged me to see the possibilities for reclaiming a dynamic career and have helped me to believe these possibilities apply to me as well, despite my illness.“ — Sandy Lahmann, multiple sclerosis, recipient of Adaptive Athlete of the Year award, 2007. |
In the book, Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working, Girlfriend! you’ll meet women like Sandy who face challenges that are physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual.
We have changed their names, but the heart of their stories remains unaltered. In each instance, these brave women have found ways to keep a strong sense of quality, satisfaction, and fulfillment in their lives.
While the ways in which they have maintained their forward momentum differ, they share one fundamental decision: to stay in the workforce.
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“Rosalind Joffe and Joan Friedlander are armed with a unique blend of engaging writing style, workplace savvy, gender awareness, and most helpful of all, personal experience in navigating the challenges of chronic illness. The book is a must for working women also dealing with chronic-pain issues, whether or not they are related to autoimmune diseases.” — Paula Kamen, Author of All in My Head: An Epic Quest to Cure an Unrelenting, Totally Unreasonable and Only Slightly Enlightening Headache |
Listen to a message from Rosalind Joffe and Joan Friedlander, the book’s authors:
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Hi, I’m Rosalind Joffe. Living with chronic illnesses for 30 years has taught me how critical work can be to health and well-being. That’s why I’m committed to giving people who live with chronic illness the tools they need to be employed.
By reading Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working, Girlfriend! you will learn:
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In honor of the release of the new book, Rosalind Joffe is offering you the new value laden Workbook at an extremely value laden price. . The “Keep Working with Chronic Illness Workbook” is what you need to put the ideas from “Keep Working Girlfriend” into action. But remember – this price is time limited so don’t wait. Make this gift to yourself so you can take charge now by visiting
Table of Contents
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Blog: KeepWorkingGirlfriend.com
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Contact Us
Rosalind Joffe
cicoach.com, LLC
Joan Friedlander
Lifework Business Partners
Email us privately with your questions or comments!
info@keepworkinggirlfriend.com
About Us
We’ve learned how tough it can be to get out of bed each day and get a job done, whether you work for yourself or someone else, whether you make just enough to get by or your salary is fat, whether it takes a one hour commute or you never have to leave home.
We’ve experienced how difficult it can be to keep working, especially if you’re a woman living with a chronic illness.
Let’s face it. The work world is a tough place for women who are “healthy,” and it can feel impossible when you’re managing an illness, too.
But, we believe that work is an invaluable tool for keeping yourself healthy. That’s why we wrote the book, Keep Working, Girlfriend: navigating the workplace with an autoimmune disease. Published by Demos Medical, it was released in May 2008. We hope you’ll join us here and stay awhile. Rosalind and Joan
Why Rosalind?
I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease when I was 28 years old, one month after marrying the most wonderful man I could ever have hoped for. Multiple sclerosis sounded scary and so were my symptoms (blindness in one eye and fatigue so extreme I could barely lift myself in bed). But I was lucky — it was a relatively mild case that progressed slowly over the years. From the start, I made career changes and limited my options to adjust to my health needs. Looking back, it’s easy to see why it was difficult to achieve the stability and career track I so desperately wanted. I struggled to stay employed, difficult as it often was, and even if I didn’t know why it mattered to me so much.
By the time I was 42, however, I was severely ill with debilitating ulcerative colitis that made it too difficult to hold a job. I had two beautiful daughters, a wonderful husband and a full life (even if I had lousy health) but I was miserable. And it wasn’t just because I was so sick. I knew that I’d feel less lost and depressed if I could work, my lifeline to being normal and to maintain some sense of independence. A series of surgeries to rid me of my diseased large colon and ulcerative colitis and new therapies for MS that halted the progression of the disease, have left me relatively healthy. I’ve spent the past 10 years creating work that would allow me to earn a living and that I could do regardless of my health.
It’s this journey that I can share with others. I like to say that I got a Masters in education 35 years ago and I’ve earned my Doctorate in living and working with chronic illness.
Why Joan?
In June of 1992, at the age of 33, I was happily employed, married, and the mother of a 7-year-old child. I was very much at home in my dual role as store manager and regional training manager for a national bookstore chain. It was a dream job, and I was steadily moving up the company ladder. Suddenly, acute bowel symptoms took me down. Continuous bleeding, anemia, intense cramping, and weight loss landed me in the hospital a few weeks later. I was in the hospital twice in 1992. The second time was only 3 months later and by then I was so messed up and weak and in pain it wasn’t fun at all. I swam in a big river of denial, fear and false hope between July and October. Little did I know it would be the beginning of a long journey of discovery and adjustment.
I’ve usually considered my journey fairly private, as something only to be shared when needed or appropriate. I have worried that sharing it would keep it stuck to me rather than having the opposite effect. However, when I attended a conference of my peers in 2005 where the opening keynote speaker was a woman who had been living with Crohn’s Disease for 52 years, and I watched her deliver her speech with grace, I decided the time had come to act. Though it’s not been my opening act, I figured I had to have been given this particular challenge for a reason. Shortly thereafter Rosalind and I began to talk and Keep Working, Girlfriend! was born.
Having divorced my son’s father (my first husband) when he was just a year old, I’ve never considered not working an option - even when I remarried. I was, after all, ultimately responsible for the welfare of another. That being said, as a result of dealing with the varying symptoms of my illness and navigating the demands of working, I held 5 additional jobs as different circumstances required I make changes. The launch of my coaching business in January 2001 seems to have finally given me the right combination of flexibility and self-sufficiency to help me truly regain strength and health.
It is with great pleasure that I engage with Rosalind to empower other women on this most interesting dance of working and living with chronic illness.
