In 2000, Edwards was diagnosed with hepatitis C, a virus transmitted by blood-to-blood contact. The disease is chronic and requires lifetime monitoring. In 2001, she applied for a job in the kitchen at a nursing home. On the application she checked that she was not under a doctor's care, despite the on-going supervision of hepatitis. Later, when she cut herself at work, her sister, who also worked at the nursing home, told the supervisor that Edwards had hepatitis. She was fired. Her doctor said it would be safe for her to work there, but the nursing home would not reinstate her because she lied on her application. She sued for disability discrimination