Penny and Giles
I worked for Penny and Giles in Christchurch, Dorset. Not hiding names as it was/is pretty crap.
When i had the interview, i told them i had a sleep disorder called 'Primary Hypersomnolence', they still gave me a job.
It was boring and monotonous work, the guy who trained me, Pete Skinner*, some thought he was odd i thought he was brilliant.
Being I had a sleep disorder i used to fall asleep regularly, management didn't like this especially floor supervisor who was affectionately known as 'Mein Fuhrer'.
Even though i kept falling asleep/chatting to much etc I was still doing my job, and better than any before me and after me, so i've since been informed.
I was on one of those '3 month probationary' starts and falling asleep 5 minutes into your first day doesn't look good.
After the 3 months, i never got told if i had a job or not even though i had been there for 5 months, so 2 hours after turning up for work on a monday morning, i decided i rather be falling asleep at home.
I returned a week later, 2 hours late and was summoned into the supervisors office where she tried to tell me off for not phoning in sick etc.
I told her that as I didn't technically work for the company because i didn't have a contract and i think on one hand they wanted to sack me for falling asleep, but on the other i was the only person who would do that job (except Pete).
I told them to give me an answer in the time it took to remove my swipe card and keys from my pocket, they didn't answer quick enough so I left.
A week later I got asked to go back, but instead pointed out i was owed wages for the week i wasn't there, otherwise i'd claim discrimination due to my 'disorder', i got it.

My sleep disorder is basically 'excessive sleepiness, i can sleep for 30 hours at a time.
But what that means is that I have been medically classed as a lazy Bugger, Woo to me.

Because i'm undergoing medical treatment for a sleep problem, I screwed them out of an extra weeks wages.
Not amazing, but at least i got something.

*name not changed, because I think this bloke was a top fella and deserves recoqnition, along with Jo, for waking me up if i was asleep too long.
(Mensa Reject has gone out, I'll be back on, Fri 23 May 2008, 3:02, 4 replies)

I sympathise
with you, having Narcolepsy myself. The thing that pisses me off is that although I was told I'd never hold down a real full-time job, it's not classed as a disability, so no free 'scripts, no bunce from the State, nothing. However, if I told the quack I was suffering from "Anxiety", no problem, forms stamped. How the fuck do they work that one out?
As it happens, I work for myself, earn piles of cash, and sleep pretty much when I need to, thanks to sympathetic colleagues. They know I'm not swinging the lead, so make allowances. Pity the poor twat who says something like "Oooh, I wish I had that, I can never get to sleep at night".

Oh, and I get loads and loads of Dexamphetamine delivered to my door by my friendly neighbourhood chemist. I pop tham like Smarties, they are lying about all over the place, much to the amazement of my drug-keen mates. I'd rather not have my life fucked up by this condition though.

Maybe in the next life.....meh!
(Rsoles, Fri 23 May 2008, 11:19, closed)

dexa's
Are you not in the UK then? If i want to, i could claim a high rate disability allowance PLUS the maximum mobility allowance, because it's 'not recommended' that i drive.
I suffer from the same begging from my mates that enjoy recreational medicines as well, but i also still have a massive wadge of the modafinil as well. Add that to the fact my missus has severe spondylitus, and she's prescribed morphine which we get in a lovely 300ml bottle every fortnight.
It's hard not to let your best mates try some.
But I agree with what you say, it can be bloody hard to live with, and i wouldn't wish it on many people.
(Mensa Reject has gone out, I'll be back on, Fri 23 May 2008, 12:47, closed)

I am indeed
in the UK, but I'm an untrusting bastard and won't let the quack change my 'script to Modafinil. I don't want to find out that it makes your knob drop off after 5 years, so I'll stick with the Devil I know.
(And from the feature I was listening to on Radio 4 yesterday lunchtime, I really do NOT trust that Modafinil, I'm afraid. They didn't say it will make your knob drop off, but there was something veeeery whiffy about the whole report, most strange. If it's on "Listen Again", I think it was on the "You and Yours" prog.)
I was told quite specifically that Narcolepsy, at any rate, isn't a condition for which there's any Benefits or State help (not that I'm a scrounger, more that I wish more people would see it as a serious thing that fucks your life up, and not just some twee comedy illness).
I was also told it was up to me if I tell the DVLA, the quack doesn't have to, so I opted for not having my licence put at risk, or my insurance bumped up, by keeping quiet.
(Rsoles, Fri 23 May 2008, 21:14, closed)

DVLA
Bloody lucky not telling them really.
I had to have a frigging sleep test in London. (nice comfy beds mind).
The results were given to my doc, who promptly informed the DVLA, I had my licence revoked in December because I didn't surrender it.
Not long won my fight to be allowed it again, only to find out that because it was revoked, not surrendered i have to re-sit test.
Be careful the docs don't do it to you.
I still drive mind, but have to have 'lunatic' plates now. GRRRR
(Mensa Reject has gone out, I'll be back on, Tue 27 May 2008, 20:16, closed)