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College accomodations and fibromyalgia

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Posted 11/10/2012 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone,

I am currently on SSI for bipolar and fibromyalgia. I am enrolled at an online university working on my masers degree (I am hoping to eventually have my own business that I can run on my own hours so I can actually work).

Before enrolling in the online university I was concerned because there was mention of 2 one week residencies in other states. During the residencies you are in workshop and training courses all day long. I told my enrollment counselor my concerns that I would not be up to doing that and he told me they could come up with an alternative.

Once I enrolled however the disability departments says there are no alternatives that they are required to graduate. At first they told me they were required as part of the certification I will need. I contacted the board who our program is accredited by and they told me that is not true. Then the school said it was a requirement of the University that no one has ever been excused from them. I am very upset now because I do not know how I will be able to do this. If I was able to do something like that I would never have chosen an online university. I understand there is certain training that they want to give but I am offering to do alternatives such as local workshops or even taking a local course at a college. But 9 hour days is just not going to work for me.

Has anyone ever had problems with college and fibro? I am just lost and do not know what to do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated I have been very depressed over this.

Thanks
Posted 11/10/2012 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
One- Never believe what the counselors tell you about these kind of things. S/he was wrong to certify this. Is it possible you misunderstood? Heard a 'might' in place of a 'will'?

Departments set their degree requirements. They are the ones who decide what they expect in order to be awarded the degree. Counselors handle paperwork, and generally do not know the specifics of one program within their university to another. This kind of thing happens all the time. And, certifications are there for a reason- they are not going to accept this, that, or the other.

It sounds as if you might just have to do what they ask. It is only two weeks out of your life. It will be hard, but think of the payoff.
Posted 11/10/2012 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
I can see why you worry. I get the same way if someone wants me to be totally available for so many days. I never know how I feel from day to day. I wish I had a better answer. I can totally feel for you.
Posted 11/10/2012 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thank's guys for the responses.

The enrollment counselor actually spoke to someone about the situation and it took him half a day to figure it all out. He insisted that they would come up with an alternative.

It would not be so bad if it wasn't so far away and the courses were not 9 hours a day.

It's just so frustrating because them willing to work with me was one of the reasons I chose to go with them and not another school.
Posted 11/10/2012 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
It can be done. I finished a PhD after diagnosis. Yes, it is easier when you can do work on your own terms, and that is the nice thing about both online as well as graduate work. You can set a lot of your own hours.

But, sometimes you can't. I currently teach at a university. Some days are okay-I meet my classes and hold my office hours, and can do my other work on my own. Sometimes, though I have committee meetings, conferences, rehearsals. Yes, it is hard. I am not looking forward to next semester. I will be at School from 7:30 until 9 pm two days a week. The other three days, they will be only 5 hour days.

You plan the best you can. The things Ihae fou d that work best for these things are: proper hydration, stretching and moving every few hours, having painkillers ready, proper sleep, and a proper chair while at the sessions. I bring a large fluffy coat regardless, and a sweater. this way, I can use the coat as a seat cushion and the sweater as a lap robe.

I remember, once, at a marathon research session at NYPL I( I only had 5 days to do what I needed to do), I learned the need for these precautions.
Posted 11/10/2012 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
Myself, as I read your post I just couldnt imagine doing anything like your doing. I had a few too many seizures. I am weak in mind and body. Lol I am glad for you.
Posted 11/11/2012 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
And I couldn't do things other folks do as their routine! We are, indeed, all very unique.

I am amazed by people with small kids.
Posted 11/11/2012 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Stark, I understand what you are going through 100%! I am currently in a masters level online program through a local college and I am able to do most of the course completely online. I also have bipolar and fibro and an anxiety disorder so the online component was a perfect fit for me, especially since I do work full time as well. I have asked for extended time on quizes/exams I don't know if you have to take quizzes but if you do you should definitely be utilizing that accommodation if you think it would help. My program also requires a one week on campus stay, which I have to do twice. I did the first on campus stay this past summer and it actually wasn't too bad. We got to dorm in the same building that all the classes were held so I could literally wake up and go to class in less than 20 minutes. This made it very convenient for me when we took class breaks because I could just go down to my room and relax for 20 minutes or so and then head back up to class. You should find out where you will have to stay, if it is possible to stay in the same building or in a building nearby where the workshops will be then it will really save on your fatigue. I had to start classes at 8am, which with my work schedule I don't have to be at work until 11am so it was a huge adjustment and if I had to walk across campus every morning that would have been really difficult for me. Of course, I only live an hour away from my college campus so it is obviously easier for me to drive there and stay the whole week rather than having to fly in or something. Have you thought about the possibility of skyping into the workshop from home? What if they could mail you any materials that you would need at the workshop and then you could participate via skype? I am currently in grad school for rehabilitation counseling so I am familiar with the process of asking for accommodations so if I can be of any help let me know. Bottom line, a school can not say they will offer no accommodations they have to work with you.

-Jen
Posted 11/12/2012 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Also, many schools will require you register with diasability student services in order to get accomodations.

It's worth checking out.
Posted 11/12/2012 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the responses guys.

I am registered with the department and get extra time and materials online (ebooks). It would not be so hard if it wasn't in a state hours away so I will need to take a plane. It's in a hotel and classes will be all day long with a half hour break for lunch. I also have a overactive bladder issue... I am on meds for it but it doesn't help and sometimes I need to go every 10 minutes and that is really going to effect it.

I asked about skype and they will only allow that for PHD programs not for masters. I contacted the ADA and they really were of no help and told me to contact the Dept of Education. I would not be so upset if the school did not tell me I would not need to do this.

Thanks guys for the advice. I just don't even know what to do at this point because I REALLY do not think I will be able to do this.
Posted 11/12/2012 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Suggestion-

Print out your accommodation forms from the school. If you can find out who is spear-heading the week-long session, email the documents. If the professor(s) are different than the administrator, ditto.

Take along several copies of your accommodation forms.

Sit in the back. Be unobstrusive if and when you need to leave for a bathroom break. If whomever is leading the session knows in advance AND you don't make a big deal of it, it ought to be fine.
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