Uni advice

[vh86]

Hi Lauren

I graduated a couple of years ago and my HMS hadn't really been a problem until I started uni. Absolutely go to your university's disability service. All I provided was a GP letter confirming that I suffer from HMS and was having problems with my hands. I was allowed to use a computer for my exams and was given extra time and breaks if I needed. I then did a masters and got a disabled student's allowance. I had to complete a form and then go for an assessment where they basically went through what I could and couldn't do and got to try out different equipment. I was given a laptop with voice recognition software (my netbook didn't have enough memory to support it) and a dictaphone to record lectures. I was also given an allowance of money to spend on books so that I didn't have to get them out of the library and carry them home. I was also given more borrowing rights at the library in terms of the number of books I could borrow and how long for and was given copies of notes for lectures. I would recommend applying for DSA as soon as possible as mine took a few months to come through.

If you get in touch with your disability service, they will hopefully make life a lot easier. It may also be an idea to let your lecturers/personal tutors know about your problems as then if you have an issue with a deadline etc, they are more likely to be understanding if you have told them in advance.

Hope that helps, if you have any questions, get in touch and good luck at uni!

Victoria x

[Lauren]

Thank you very much. I'm visiting various universities at the moment, trying to decide which one I want to go to, and will definately ask about it when I visit. It would be great if I could get some sort of confirmation from the rheumatologist that HMS is to blame for my hands, otherwise I wouldn't feel very comfortable saying anything at school.

[Lauren]

A little bit worried as I don't really know what I'm supposed to be putting down on my UCAS application. I really need to wait until I see the specialist but some people have already completed their applications! Really need to see the advisor but I've heard she's pretty naff.

Also, when I went to one of the uni's they said you needed to be diagnosed for at least a year before they could do anything about it.

[Rosie]

Also, when I went to one of the uni's they said you needed to be diagnosed for at least a year before they could do anything about it.

Not true! You only need to have issues that affect you, not to have received a lable, and what has having been diagnosed a year got to do with it? What is so magical about a year?
Have a look at this website, it has some general advice and links to more. Also, have a read through this thread to see other people's experiences.

Rosie

[vh86]

When I was at uni, all I had to give to disability support was a letter from my GP confirming what my problems were. I think it was only about 2 lines long, but that seemed to be enough. I wouldn't worry about not having a diagnosis, just put what the problems are and put 'awaiting diagnosis'. Good luck with your application! What are you hoping to study?

[Lauren]

That's really odd, maybe I misheard the disability liason officer. I'm looking to do a course in Food Science.

I don't think I will try and get DSA, I don't think I really need it, I probably wouldn't end up spending it on something to help out with my HMS. I must remember to ask for an appointment with the careers advisor about my UCAS application today, I keep on forgetting to.

I also have this feeling I'm going to forget to ask the rhuematologist for a letter. I'm such a scatterbrain!

[FunkyPhysicist]

If you have problems which affect your studies then it is definitely worth applying for DSA. It is impossible to spend the money on anything non-HMS related as you don't get the cash! They assess for equipment that will help you and you get that. There is a thread on here which will give you an idea of the things that they do give people. I can definitely say that it was the best thing I did to help at uni!

[alice-emma-louise]

I agree with FunkyPhysicist - it's worth doing if your condition is affecting your studies - better to do it early than leave it too late like I did. I'd already messed up my first semester of my second year when I realised how much I needed the support.

You get a needs assessment and they will assess you for what equipment/support you need then send their recommendations to your local council who will say "yes, ok" or "yes, some is ok" and will give you the ok to phone up suppliers and get it all arranged. Then they pay for it all. As for consumables like photocopying and printing - you need to keep receipts and they will reimburse you (if your needs assessment says you need photocopying/printing etc.) so you don't get given a sum of money.

It changed my academic life - the use of a dictaphone in particular is something I would highly, highly recommend to any student!

Alicex

[alice-emma-louise]

Just stumbled across this on my Uni webpage:

Definition of disability

The Equality Act (2010) defines a disabled person as someone who has a mental or physical impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

For the purposes of the Act, these words have the following meanings:

'substantial' means more than minor or trivial
'Long term’ means that an impairment is likely to last for the rest of the person’s life, or has lasted at least 12 months or where the total period for which it lasts is likely to be at least 12 months. If the person no longer has the condition but it is likely to recur, they will be considered to be a disabled person.
'normal day-to-day activities' include everyday things like eating, washing, walking and going shopping

Could be where Lauren's Uni got their wires crossed in terms of waiting a year after diagnosis - you don't have to have had the condition a year, only a condition that is likely to persist for at least a year.

Ax

[Lauren]

Have sent off my UCAS application and one of the uni's disability team have emailed and directed me to a web page I can use.

Still feel like a bit of a fraud saying I have a "disability", even with my diagnosis and a letter from my rhuematologist. I still don't think I will apply for DSA, (I've been told by my rhuematologist there's not anythingI can really buy to make it better, so there is no point.) though I would like some support from the university when it comes to my exams etc. Reading the web page, I don't have to do anything about that until much later.

[DeeNJai]

still apply for DSA as it could be for help when you have fatigue or other things you will be assessed by centre or at home by someone is indepentent from the uni.
Dee

[sheppeyescapee]

I would say still apply, it wont get rid of all your problems but it will make things a lot easier My DSA pays for a notetaker, mentor, lightweight laptop, desk, desk chair, text to speech software, dictation software and I'm sure more things that I can't think of right now

[Rosie]

Hi all

I would encourage you to apply as well. Even though you (and your rhuemy) don't think there is any support that could help you, they will assess you and as they are the experts they will probably come up with ideas that haven't occured to you. I am of the opinion that the earlier you get any support you need, the more it will help prepvent deterioration, and it can take years to recover from an onset of fatigue. Also, if you are receiving help already, it will be simpler for you to get the help you need at exam time, as all your details will be in the system.

Rosie

[Lauren]

Okay, I will talk to my tutor about it today. After all, if I can receive support, it would be silly not to take it.

Thanks guys.

[Lauren]

I think I did suffer from fatigue a few years ago, but I just thought it was part of being severely depressed. It's all very unclear to me, because I never sought any help. Sometimes I start feeling fatigued again but only lasts a few weeks, not months as it did the first time.

Do you think its likely it will happen again?