Nikki Lingineni, an HAE patient advocate, shares why it’s important to advocate for yourself at work, ask for what you need, and prioritize your health without feeling guilty.
Transcript
You can’t be small. You have to stand up for yourself. You can’t be scared, which it is very scary.
You have so many new scary things going on and losing your job when you’re getting these medications you need your insurance and things like that is extremely frightening. But you don’t have to disclose your condition to your boss.
But you should definitely be very open about things that you’re going to need. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. A lot of people are, and I was too.
Before I was diagnosed, I didn’t know what I needed. Calling in sick felt really guilty. Like I felt really guilty. Don’t. You have to worry about yourself first.
