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I have received a summons for jury duty.  I know that I cannot be expected to be at a certain place at a specific time and also be "trapped". I followed the rules, I sent in my Doctors letter. No response. I filled out an online form being specific about the condition. The reply was supposed to be in 5 to 7 days via email. Again no response. 
So now I am required to appear at 8:30 am. This means I have to get up around 5:30 or 6 to eat something and hope it is a good day. Of course I will not sleep well and the thought of having to explain myself for possible issues is overwhelming. I have learned how to manage this illness most times. My family understands I may have issues and my friends are informed.  I have things well managed for the most part and now I am faced with it all being threatened.  I do not lunch with friends unless I know when i can be home. I do not travel for the most part. My family has been coast to coast and several trips out of the country while I stay home. I am so angry that I am now being forced to upset the routine and they don't even reply to my paperwork.  Very upsetting and I wish they had a clue what this does to me and what it takes from me.  You all can relate... you cannot be stuck in a room. We know where the exits are and where the bathrooms are. 

 Reply posted for 17plusyears.

I got a letter from my Dr. and have been removed from the jury duty list.  My Dr. stated told them about my disease and how I would need to be close to a bathroom at all times.  He also stated that if chosen I would have to leave for restroom at a moments notice.  I sent this into my Clerk and Recorder.  I received a letter that I had been removed from any further jury duty.  This was six years ago and I have never gotten another jury duty notice.  I would think that most counties would be responsive to this since they cannot provide the requirements needed for a patient with UC.

 Reply posted for 17plusyears.

I got a letter for jury duty.

I recently had a flare and so I got a letter from my doctor that I am going to take to the judge to be excused when they hear excuses

I don't want to be on jury duty and have my UC flare up.

 Reply posted for 17plusyears.

Sorry about your experience! I get a doctors letter and I usually receive a response right away.  I did have to report once when my doctor was on vacation. I also explained to the judge that I couldn't serve. I tried to explain w/out details and it sounded more like I had ADD instead of UC lol. But I did land up getting excused with some laughter from the judge and lawyers. Your experience really does show that most don't know what we are dealing with. I like your bit about sending the judge a pamphlet not a bad idea at all! :)

 Reply posted for crohnsmommy.

Well I sent in the information twice yet no reply. When I got there I thought perhaps they would mention it when I signed in. I sat there for 5 hours and then got called. I had to go to the courtroom with about 50 others and be interviewed. The Judge asked if anyone had a reason they may not be able to be on a jury. There were a few of us that put our hands up. I was third.... in front of everyone I had to explain my illness. I tried to get the point across without being graphic. Apparently the Judge did not have a clue what I the condition was. It was humiliating explaining this very personal illness. I was fortunately excused. Then I checked out and while doing that  another woman was excused for the same thing. She felt the same way and she also heard the Judge snidely  say " there must be a lot of that going around" to the lawyers. I was tempted to mail the Judge a phamphlet about UC. 

 Reply posted for 17plusyears.

I have the same problem I actually have jury duty this month and have not asked my doctor for a letter yet the thought of having to go and feel trapped runs through my head and i get anxiety. 

 Reply posted for 17plusyears.

It was probably a mistake that you did not hear anything. I would try to follow up. My doctor sent me a letter to include when I last received a summons. That was about 6 years ago. I was excused and never received another summons while my family has been called upon several times. If you do have to show up take a copy of the doctor's letter with you and when they call you up to check in show them the letter and let them know you did not hear back in time so you arrived. Maybe you will get lucky and the group will be canceled when you call to check the day before too.