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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/20/2018 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
Any tips from any parents or young adults for living in the dorms with UC? My son is going to college far away fro home and he was diagnosed a month back. He is on Remicade and is slowly getting better but is still symptomatic.
Posted 7/20/2018 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
I think you can request rooms with bathrooms if you have a legit condition, and IBD is definitely a condition that would warrant a toilet smile I am happy he's doing well with remicade though. Hopefully the bathroom won't be an issue for very long, or at all ideally, but I think planning to attempt to get a private bathroom would be worthwhile. I know if i were in a dorm situation, I'd feel a lot better if I knew I wouldn't end up stuck sharing with a ton of people with a flare.
Posted 7/21/2018 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
For sure reach out to the school and make them aware of his condition. He should also make sure his professors are aware that he has a chronic health condition that may require him to leave classes or miss them. As long has he has this documented, a professor cannot penalize him for missing/leaving/arriving late if it is due to UC. They cannot disclose the illness specifically, I usually receive a message along the lines of "your student's name has a health condition that requires him to need to leave class without warning or may cause chronic absences. " It then details the school's policy on how work is to be made up and usually gives me a contact person on the student support team to reach out to as well. Best to set this up ASAP.
Posted 7/21/2018 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
Okay, thanks I will contact the school.
Posted 7/21/2018 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
psssst. just a thought, have HIM contact the school. he's got to learn to advocate for himself and ask questions, especially now that he has UC. you'll be far away and colleges and professors do NOT want to hear from parents (unless it has to do with paying bills). most won't talk to you either.
Posted 7/21/2018 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
Wise plan, travesty!
Posted 7/23/2018 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
I can't imagine having UC while in college. I know my dorms never had private bathroom options, but that would be ideal if that is an option. Or even not having a roommate would be good (for me, at least; he might want a roommate).
Posted 7/23/2018 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know what state he'll be in or what the law says, but I'd imagine the school would have to make reasonable accommodations given his disease. I think the others' idea about trying to get a dorm room with a private bathroom is the best option.

I would make sure the school is aware of the problem. Ideally nothing happens during his time in college, but it'd be good for the school to know just in case of emergency and also for the room accommodations.

I'm sure his school's campus food will be like a lot of food at college and it will be average at best. He will have to do some trial and error to determine what sits well with his stomach and what doesn't. If he is in remission and stays there, this likely wouldn't be a huge deal.

finally, i'd look for a GI doctor in his area just in case something goes wrong. It'd be a lot easier if that relationship is already made instead of trying to find someone quickly if he starts to feel badly. Maybe talk to his current GI and see what they say about that.
Posted 7/24/2018 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
Ditto the above make sure the school admin, and his teachers are aware of his condition. The university will make special accommodations to help him be successful in his academic pursuits. UC can be a challenge for us, is considered a disability. A few examples of how it could help him. Mornings can be rough for UC patients, being tardy might be an issue (with a known UC exception it should be not). If he flares then he might need to do his work from the dorm, and may be unable to go to class. Special accommodations for tests will allow him to use the bathroom and give him extra time to complete the test accordingly (important for timed tests where no breaks are otherwise allowed).
Posted 7/24/2018 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
Sending good vibes his way...I couldn't imagine being in college and not having my own bathroom to run to within at least 10 feet of my bed. I couldn't imagine being in college with UC just in general. sad
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