How to manage college, struggling, getting support, Disabled

[LianneS]

I dont understand though if youve carried on doing the work in your own time then not sure what their problem is...Colleges can be funny about people taking time off but as they were aware at the beginning then Im not sure that they can say much about it.....

Are you ok about doing the A Levels at home?
Spose it will be easier for you

Lianne

[Guest]

im not sure about doing it at home but i want the qulifications

[Guest]

Pixie I am 17 and in college right now, I understand how much of a struggle it can be.
Lately its bad physically and emotionally to keep up. I have messed this quarter with fatigue, pain, absence (I do not have aid however ) and I think I will lose credits for two classes. Before this gets worse, with my family I have decided to take some extra time off school (leave for one or two quarters). I will do volunteering and personal studies, nothing exactly lazy just more control and less stress. Will also be changing a lot of medicines then. Also there is the choice of online classes in case attendance seems hard to manage when I get back summer/fall quarter.
Maybe you can afford time to do that too.?? You have the rest of your life for these educations! Make sure you provide yourself that rest time for fuel.

Teachers have always been very nice about the situation for me too but they will not totally wait for you. I hope you will get everything that you can from student services, soft chair every day. Try to be brave to get what you need

[shen]

does anyone know of any financial help i can get whilst at college, i already have 3 years, but i decided to go this year to give me something to do whilst i save to go to university in germany (hopefully) EMA only covers 3 years. i've been trying to get a job for a long time, but nobody wants to know, especially since the diagnoses of HMS, its all a case of "oh...no sorry" really annoying, but DSA is only for uni right?

im gonna try to speak to my personal tutor sometime, expect i lost her number lol should have to go down sometime. but therese no-way i could get through college without some financial support.

welfare rights have given up on my DLA appeal, becasue none of my specialists are co-operating, and writing reports ignoring everything i tell them, so were just gonna re-apply next month. man everythign is really sucking right now.

we looked at income support, but is there any other financail help, incase income support doesnt work out?

[hannah]

Hi Shen,

just read your post on benefits too. things sound really tough, and good luck with your reapplication, it sounds like the best thing to do.

I don't know much about benefits to help you through college, but have you considered incapacity benefit? I know you can get this while going to Uni/studying provided you are unable to work because of longterm illness/disability- my brother with HMS is on it.

Chin up and don't give up


All the best

[bendytwistything]

Wasn't sure if i should start a new thread or not so i thought id attatch it to the bottom of this one

I'm starting college in september and im worried about coping with the work load (im doing 4 a levels)Im begining to think i picked too many. I wondered if anyone had any advice. In school i had a lot of trouble getting around and writing and concentrating because of the pain (things im sure many of you can sympathise with) i would really apprieciate some tips!

I will miss the first 2 weeks of college as im going to be an inpatient in stanmore so theres no way of me going in to get accustomed to the college (i will only be missing the induction and 'taster week' as it were so i wont miss lessons). I've pretty much given up caring what people think of me but with shoulder brace one side and crutch on the other im gonna stick out like a sore thumb which does bother me a little (im very shy and hate being noticed).

As for writing everyone keeps saying that they'll get onto the O.Ts to get a laptop etc but that will ytake ages and no ones actually done anything about it yet and i can't write as my right shoulder dislocates when i do (i can write small amounts left handed)

As i said id really apprieciate any input you could give as im really getting worried. Cheers
KT

[kizzy]

Im in the same boat as you KT, starting in September with 4 A levels to concentrate on, i have been able to get myself a laptop sorted through my college special needs team, try speaking to them, they will be likely to be able to help you out.





XxX kirsty XxX

[Jenny]

Within colleges/sixth forms there is provision for disabled students, or should be legally anyway. Maybe you could phone up and ask to have a chat with the disability team/special needs co-ordinator. Alternatively try student support services within the establishment. They should be able to provide equipment, a scribe to write for you, accessable rooms, extra support etc.

Make your personal tutor aware because this can be another source of help.

When you get to uni it gets even better! (In my experience)

Hope this helps.

[Zoe*]

Firstly 4 subjects is alot to do in college or the average person! But you may need to wait a while to see hw it goes before you decide wether or not yo want to drop one subject

Secondly try a dictorphone! im gonna get one for uni and they seem like good idea's

Also explain to all your teachers etc about the condition and they may have more suggestions for you

Take care!

[Retro]

If you get a dictaphone go digital that way you can plug it into the computer and convert the sound to text without having to write or type it

[jayne]

Hiya, I need a bit of advice, I'm starting an HND course at the end of the month i'm 25 what kind of help can I get if I need a laptop for lecture notes and assignments? My handwriting is awful and almost illeible to anyone other than me when my hand is tired.

[Retro]

Hi Jayne,

Alot seems to depend on the actual College/uni you go to. Speak to their Disability Advisor(s) they should be able to help. I know that the college I worked for had laptops, printers etc for people with various problems to use while they were at college.

Lindsey

[shen]

my colelge gave me a dictaphone, but honestly they are really bad, the sound is almost inaudiable, not very good for noe taking as you cnat understnad what they are saying, going to have togo back to the disability advisor and look for something else.

[sarahh]

Hi Shen

When I was a college I used to have a support assistant who used to take notes for me a I had problems with my hands when writing. Or you could try getting your tutor to type up the planned work for you before the lesson.

Hope this helps

Sarah

[Jenny]

my colelge gave me a dictaphone

Was it digital?