Sometimes you have to trust people. I've never worried that I'd be "let go" from my job just because of my diagnosis. It takes much more than that to get rid of a teacher. I'm a good teacher, I have close friends that are supportive of me as I am of them at work, and it seemed only fair of me to be honest with them about what was going on. It wasn't something I pronounced to the masses; only a chosen few who I had no fear of telling.

You have to know the people you are working with and dealing with in order to decide what to share and what to keep silent. I have no fear of being "discovered" by my fellow teachers or really even by my students or their parents, though I don't offer that information to them so it really isn't an issue. I'm old enough and experienced enough and have a strong enough reputation and credibility in my profession that I really have no doubt that I would survive a big reveal, but it isn't something that I concern myself with really.

In my building we have a science teacher who has Tourette's Syndrome. He starts each year with explaining his symptoms to his students and their parents so they will understand what they are seeing when they see it. He has received nothing but respect and praise and understanding from his students and their parents. They are able to see that his qualities as an excellent educator are not eclipsed by his condition. I'm not quite that brave and that kind of educating of my students and parents about my condition hasn't been needed as they don't "see" my symptoms right in front of them, but I'd like to think that they would also respect my teaching and dedication to my profession and my students.