Advocating for yourself in an Apathetic world: How to be Sick with Success

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Presented at bsidesboston 2016 by

Emily Pience

117 million people in the United States have at least one chronic illness, and In 2010 7 of the top 10 causes of death were chronic diseases. So it makes sense that a portion of our community suffers from at least one chronic illness: diabetes, a heart condition, depression, an autoimmunity disorder. We all know at least one person in InfoSec with one of these conditions. Being a population of people on the front lines of data security, knowing not to trust “the man” is a given. But what happens when you need resources to take care of yourself? How much do you divulge? How much do you have to? Based on my 10+ year career in medical and disability insurance, as well as my personal history of surviving through college and a career with severe Crohn’s Disease, I will explore the resources available to protect your job, while learning to advocate for yourself with your doctors, your insurance companies, and your employer.