Profs and students w/ dissabilities
Tue, December 13, 2011 11:32 AM
So I've had Crohn's pretty much all my life, and right now to the outside I don't look that sick, I'm really good at appearing normal you could say. The issue is I am a disability student cause my Crohn's is really bad, and behind closed doors I suffer a lot. There is another disability student in most of my classes who is pretty much paralyzed and the profs pretty much bend over backwards to help him out any way they can. My grades are starting to suffer because I've missed so much class for being in the hospital but all they do for me let me take my tests in comfortable chairs cause my joints hurt a lot, how do I deal with this?
I know I could do better if my profs would understand that I'm sick but they don't see me being sick and I'm not gonna sit around and make myself look sick, and I don't want my requirements for the class to be different, obviously I still want it to be fair for the rest of the class, it just seems like since I have a hidden disability that I don't get the accommodation I probably should. What do I do?
rachjJoined Jun 2, 2008
Sat, December 17, 2011 3:23 PM
Reply posted for rachj.
I think the first step is for you to brainstorm to come up with some add'l accommodations that you feel would be helpful. I'm honestly not sure what you could ask for, the more comfortable chair (you already have), restroom breaks, add'l time for time sensitive tests, I'm really not sure..... Once you have your thoughts collected, meet with the professors, disability office and see what they say. Regardless of whether the disability is visible, you are covered under the ADA. Good luck, and continued success with your college education
Lizzies Mom
Joined Sep 9, 2009
Sat, December 17, 2011 9:34 AM
Reply posted for rachj.
I'm so sorry you are going through this with your professors. You need to go to your disability office on campus and explain the situation with them. They will be able to help you.
Joined Nov 9, 2008
Sat, December 17, 2011 12:45 AM
Reply posted for rachj.
Maybe you could try having your doc write a letter or something similar explaining Crohn's disease and its effects? Especially its effects on your studying habits, such as anemia, pain, and other issues that could prevent you from doing your work. This could help your profs understand what you go through and perhaps they will go easier on some deadlines when you are sick. Also, make sure you tell your professors at the beginning of the semester what is going on and keep them up to date. The sooner you can tell them that you might have difficulty, the easier it will be for them to help you (I know this isn't easy because sometimes it will happen like right before class, but being able to shoot them an email or give them a call is better than no communication). They can only go off what you give them, so try to break it down into something they can understand. Luckily for me, one of my professors had worked with a person who had crohn's so he was a little more lenient than the rest. With another professor I got permission to show up to one of his earlier classes that day if I had to go to a medical appt, (they seemed to like to schedule my iron infusions during his class on Fri afternoons). If worst comes to worst, try to get in contact with the student life people or academics who can help you take steps in order to get more help like maybe having your doc come in and talk to the college about how crohns affects you. Good luck!
ashJoined Feb 22, 2011
Related Topics
Having children
RevGirdJoined Apr 29, 2020
We will see I guess. My sister (born 7 years after....
read more
Breast augmentation and U...
Kiara98Joined Feb 24, 2023
Hi everyone! To preface this, I’ve had UC si....
read more