In June 2020, I started a journey I never expected — and definitely never wanted. I returned to in-person work at Imperial Beach Library during the pandemic, and on my very first day back, I knew something wasn’t right. The amount of cleaning and sanitizing chemicals being used in the branch immediately triggered my asthma.
My branch manager tried her best to accommodate me, but the chemicals and my lungs just didn’t mix. When we started looking up the SDS sheets, my supervisor realized the chemicals were bothering her eyes too. On June 30, 2020, I filed a worker’s comp claim for chemical exposure and was sent home to telework.
My supervisor filed a claim as well, and HR encouraged other staff at IB to see a worker’s comp doctor if they were having issues. Two more staff members ended up needing medical care. I’m incredibly thankful I was there and spoke up — because changes were made at the branch after I left to help protect the remaining staff.
Even though the situation completely destroyed my original career plan, I truly believe I was meant to be there during that time to help keep others safe.
I teleworked from June 30, 2020, to June 17, 2021, as a Librarian I at Imperial Beach, mostly working with Collection Development. Then on June 18, 2021, I promoted to Librarian II at Poway Library and was so excited to return to in-person work. Since that branch didn’t have the same heavy daily chemical cleanings, I hoped it would be safe for me.
It was… for about a week.
I ended up having an asthma attack triggered by Clorox wipes and perfumes in the building and was sent back to the worker’s comp doctor. On July 1, 2021, I started teleworking again — and I haven’t worked in a branch since. On December 14, 2021, my restriction of “no exposure to cleaning or sanitizing chemicals” was made permanent and stationary.
The next couple of years were full of ups and downs.
I was the Youth Services Manager but couldn’t run programs, couldn’t physically help in the branch, and had to supervise two in-person employees while fully remote. It was incredibly hard — especially knowing the branch really needed someone physically there.
To fill my 40 hours, I worked across multiple areas: Ask a Librarian, Collection Development, and the Learning, Marketing, and Engagement (LME) Department.
Things finally started to feel lighter in July 2023 when my position was dual filled. My Librarian I promoted into the Youth Services Manager role at Poway, and I was able to transition that responsibility to her. It lifted a huge weight off my shoulders, and I knew things were finally moving in the right direction.
Then September 2023 hit — and the next six months were brutal.
I had pneumonia for six weeks, COVID and the flu at the same time (which landed me in the hospital), multiple upper and lower respiratory infections, and a sinus infection. I remember lying in the hospital praying, asking God why I was so sick, when I would feel healthy again, and trying to understand what He was doing through all of it.
Around that time, I reached out to worker’s comp about my sick leave since I had run out of balances and was on unpaid leave. I got no real answers — and that’s when I realized something important: I had permanent restrictions, but I wasn’t considered permanently disabled.
My brother-in-law recommended a worker’s comp lawyer, and in February 2024, I hired one. And honestly… it’s amazing what changes when a lawyer gets involved.
In May 2024, I drove to Riverside for a second-opinion doctor. He agreed I was permanent and stationary and determined I had a 26% total body disability — with 75% of my asthma issues caused by my worker’s comp exposure.
Reading that report was emotional. I finally felt seen. I felt heard. And I agreed with his findings completely.
He made my permanent restrictions: avoid chemical exposure and avoid people wearing perfume.
But the case still wasn’t over.
We had to fight over sick leave reimbursement. I went through every medical day since June 2020, cross-referenced it with doctor visits, and sent piles of documentation to my lawyer. Work initially refused to reimburse anything.
In September 2024, they even tried to challenge the doctor’s disability findings.
My lawyer asked if we still wanted to pursue it. Adam and I said yes.
When the doctor reviewed everything again, he upheld the 26% disability and added about six and a half weeks of reimbursed leave to my case — which also triggered Injury Leave pay. When I got that email, I cried.
Meanwhile, my dual-filled position had kept me in work limbo — though I truly loved helping multiple departments, and my Poway supervisor was always incredibly supportive.
Now here we are.
Three years after being made permanent and stationary, I’ve officially started my new permanent role as a Librarian II in the Learning, Marketing, and Engagement Department. I’m fully LME — in a role that permanently accommodates my medical restrictions.
These past four and a half years have been painful, exhausting, emotional, and amazing all at once.
I’ve cried. I’ve prayed. I’ve questioned God. I’ve thanked Him. And through it all, there’s one thing I’ve never wavered on — trusting Him. I knew He would protect me, walk with me, and work everything out for good.
I’m incredibly thankful this injury didn’t end my library career. I’m thankful for every breath I take. And I’m looking forward to continuing to heal and grow healthier every day.
My branch manager tried her best to accommodate me, but the chemicals and my lungs just didn’t mix. When we started looking up the SDS sheets, my supervisor realized the chemicals were bothering her eyes too. On June 30, 2020, I filed a worker’s comp claim for chemical exposure and was sent home to telework.
My supervisor filed a claim as well, and HR encouraged other staff at IB to see a worker’s comp doctor if they were having issues. Two more staff members ended up needing medical care. I’m incredibly thankful I was there and spoke up — because changes were made at the branch after I left to help protect the remaining staff.
Even though the situation completely destroyed my original career plan, I truly believe I was meant to be there during that time to help keep others safe.
I teleworked from June 30, 2020, to June 17, 2021, as a Librarian I at Imperial Beach, mostly working with Collection Development. Then on June 18, 2021, I promoted to Librarian II at Poway Library and was so excited to return to in-person work. Since that branch didn’t have the same heavy daily chemical cleanings, I hoped it would be safe for me.
It was… for about a week.
I ended up having an asthma attack triggered by Clorox wipes and perfumes in the building and was sent back to the worker’s comp doctor. On July 1, 2021, I started teleworking again — and I haven’t worked in a branch since. On December 14, 2021, my restriction of “no exposure to cleaning or sanitizing chemicals” was made permanent and stationary.
The next couple of years were full of ups and downs.
I was the Youth Services Manager but couldn’t run programs, couldn’t physically help in the branch, and had to supervise two in-person employees while fully remote. It was incredibly hard — especially knowing the branch really needed someone physically there.
To fill my 40 hours, I worked across multiple areas: Ask a Librarian, Collection Development, and the Learning, Marketing, and Engagement (LME) Department.
Things finally started to feel lighter in July 2023 when my position was dual filled. My Librarian I promoted into the Youth Services Manager role at Poway, and I was able to transition that responsibility to her. It lifted a huge weight off my shoulders, and I knew things were finally moving in the right direction.
Then September 2023 hit — and the next six months were brutal.
I had pneumonia for six weeks, COVID and the flu at the same time (which landed me in the hospital), multiple upper and lower respiratory infections, and a sinus infection. I remember lying in the hospital praying, asking God why I was so sick, when I would feel healthy again, and trying to understand what He was doing through all of it.
Around that time, I reached out to worker’s comp about my sick leave since I had run out of balances and was on unpaid leave. I got no real answers — and that’s when I realized something important: I had permanent restrictions, but I wasn’t considered permanently disabled.
My brother-in-law recommended a worker’s comp lawyer, and in February 2024, I hired one. And honestly… it’s amazing what changes when a lawyer gets involved.
In May 2024, I drove to Riverside for a second-opinion doctor. He agreed I was permanent and stationary and determined I had a 26% total body disability — with 75% of my asthma issues caused by my worker’s comp exposure.
Reading that report was emotional. I finally felt seen. I felt heard. And I agreed with his findings completely.
He made my permanent restrictions: avoid chemical exposure and avoid people wearing perfume.
But the case still wasn’t over.
We had to fight over sick leave reimbursement. I went through every medical day since June 2020, cross-referenced it with doctor visits, and sent piles of documentation to my lawyer. Work initially refused to reimburse anything.
In September 2024, they even tried to challenge the doctor’s disability findings.
My lawyer asked if we still wanted to pursue it. Adam and I said yes.
When the doctor reviewed everything again, he upheld the 26% disability and added about six and a half weeks of reimbursed leave to my case — which also triggered Injury Leave pay. When I got that email, I cried.
Meanwhile, my dual-filled position had kept me in work limbo — though I truly loved helping multiple departments, and my Poway supervisor was always incredibly supportive.
Now here we are.
Three years after being made permanent and stationary, I’ve officially started my new permanent role as a Librarian II in the Learning, Marketing, and Engagement Department. I’m fully LME — in a role that permanently accommodates my medical restrictions.
These past four and a half years have been painful, exhausting, emotional, and amazing all at once.
I’ve cried. I’ve prayed. I’ve questioned God. I’ve thanked Him. And through it all, there’s one thing I’ve never wavered on — trusting Him. I knew He would protect me, walk with me, and work everything out for good.
I’m incredibly thankful this injury didn’t end my library career. I’m thankful for every breath I take. And I’m looking forward to continuing to heal and grow healthier every day.