Update

[feline]

Seen dr chang with MRI on 12-3 clear and progressing as I should about 5 1/2 months post translab but I have a question for whomever I will be going  back to work in January dealing with the public how do u think the public in general will react to me with my facial paralysis and sutured eye
Feline

[Corilyn]

I went back to work 2 months after my surgery with left sided facial paralysis, a weighted eye and a cane.  I worked in Child Protective Services.  I was in the public all of the time.  No one said anything.  I did however feel that I did not hold as much weight, like people did not take my intelligence as seriously, but that was probably all my own insecurities.  I left that job about 10 months after my surgery, as it was not good for my soul and I could not keep up to the needed pace.  I have had a hard time finding a job that I actually can do successfully.

[feline]

Thank you for info and do not give up on getting a job anybody else have public experience in their job

[feline]

Any other public dealings at work

[Kristena]

I went back to work with facial paralysis, my eye was bright red and usually looked like I was crying because of constant drops. I don't work in the "public," but I do take the bus and roam downtown with strangers. Everyone has been great--no one has mentioned my face or acted any differently toward me. I definitely feel different now though. I had some goals pre-surgery, and now I am content just doing my job. I've even had people suggest different job openings, but I feel like I'm lucky just to have the job I do!

[feline]

Anyone else ?

[Kathleen_Mc]

I went back to work at something like 3 1/2 months post op. I am a nurse working in mental health. Surprisingly reactions from my patient's were not that dramatic, sometimes it's a problem but not really. I found the general public more of an issue than my patients, people starring and the like but nothing that significant.
I think you need to just focus on how you feel about yourself, forget what others might think or say, that way it won't bother you if others have a negative reaction
Kathleen

[feline]

Thank you for the input

[Mimispree]

How people react to my facial paralysis has a lot to do with how I feel about it:  If I choose to be self-conscious then I notice others are insecure looking at me; but if I present myself as a whole person and not just my distorted face, then I notice people don't have an issue with my face.

Some days are easier than others.