posted
Just diagnosed this December with Lyme and two co-infections. Tried to finish the year at school but I've been so sick and memory is so affected that I'm returning home per doctors orders. Does anyone know if there is any help for students in college? I will lose a whole year of tuition if they don't allow incompletes in my studies, which they aren't leaning toward. Are there avenues I can pursue or has anyone had any experience in this situation?
Thank you for your help.
Bri
Posts: 3 | From California | Registered: Mar 2006
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Bri,
There are some people on here in college, or who are parents of Lymies in college. I hope they will chime in. I'm in law school, and they have been very receptive to rescheduling exams with doctors notes, but it's only been a couple times.
Has your doctor directly contacted the school? Perhaps it would help if a doctor explained your condition, treatment, and expected timeline.
There is almost always somebody at the school who will be your advocate. Is there a dean or other official who works with students with disabilities? That would be a good person to talk to.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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arg82
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 161
posted
I've been dealing with Lyme and college for a long time (I got sick when I was 15 so I've had it all through college). I've taken leave of absences when I was doing worse and struggled a lot but my school is very understanding (and my professors especially).
A few things:
1) Are you registered with the disability services office at your school? If you aren't, that's something you should do even if it doesn't help you this semester.
I'm able to get accommodations like extensions on exams, distraction-free testing, etc. to help me with things. If I have a problem with things, they are great about helping me.
2) Talk directly to your professors to find out what they'd be willing to do to help you. Ask about incompletes or what you could possibly work out with them to finish your classes.
3) Find out for sure about incompletes for medical reasons. At my school, incompletes are pretty easy to get for any reason but especially for medical reasons.
I've had a lot of incompletes through my time in college and they have been the only reason I've managed to finish some classes. My school allows you to take up to three weeks into the next semester to finish the class which means that if it's a spring semester class, I have through the summer.
I hope that helps. If you have questions or need help or just to vent, feel free to contact me. My e-mail is [email protected] and my AIM screenname is arg7482.
I'm slowly finishing school and hopefully will graduate in a year (I started in 2000 so that'll be 7 years for a Bachelor's but I'm just happy to be finishing!).
posted
Thank you both so much! For Aniek. . .how on earth have you managed in Law School?
And for arg82, thanks for all the good advice. The school has been very, very good but seemed reluctant this time about incompletes. I will register with that office right away and follow up with your other suggestions.
Thank you very, very much!
Bri
Posts: 3 | From California | Registered: Mar 2006
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AZURE WISH
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 804
posted
I took medical leave and they refunded the whole tutition.
posted
Hi, You should certainly be able to get extensions if you have medical documentation. It might be a good idea to talk to the disabilities office right away and see if they can give you some advice on how to acvhieve this. I really don't think the school has a right to deny you. Let us know how things go. Good luck!
Posts: 422 | From Herndon, Virginia | Registered: Oct 2005
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Bri,
Lyme hits all of us differently. I've had Lyme most of my life without ever having cognitive symptoms. Most of my symptoms are pain, which are generally under control through pain treatment.
I'm also one of those people that functions by working too hard. I need stress to keep me sane.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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I had to drop out of college for a couple of years in order to get treatment and while I learned to manage my symptoms. I have noticed that after my IV treatment ended, my cognitive skills were back to normal.
So, there is hope at the end of the tunnel!!!!
Although I won't sugar coat it, it will be a GREAT challenge to finish college. At the end of the day, your degree will be one of the things that you are proudest of. Keep at it, even if you only take a few courses every semester. Lower the work load if you need to BUT keep at it!
GOOD LUCK!
Posts: 712 | From Ottawa, ON, Canada | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
Thank you everyone for all the advice and guidance. The news of this being real long term isn't too encouraging. I've already been dealing with Fibromyalgia and all the accompanying auto-immune disorders that go with it since junior high and have been trying to finish college since 1996 when I started! I too have had to take off during some of those years as well. I'll be leaving Indiana for home tomorrow and my doctor has sent along the request for accomodation to my school and I meet with them tomorrow before I go. I look forward to keeping in touch. Thank you again! Bri
Posts: 3 | From California | Registered: Mar 2006
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