Diabetes and School

1

A few months ago, there was a discussion thread about dealing with diabetes while going to university/college. I really appreciated all of the comments and it led me to see my academic career differently. Now, I can't find that thread but I thought I should share what I got out of reading those comments :)

I had no idea that my university, and I imagine all universities, have special programs for "disabled students". At my university, it's called the "Access and Diversity" department. As a diabetic student, I'm considered to be disabled because the symptoms of diabetes can negatively impact my academic career.

After my endo wrote the school a letter describing some of the symptoms that I'd experienced from high blood sugars (eg. blurred vision) and the cognitive effects of low blood sugars, the school has happily accommodated me. For any exam, I can elect to write in a private room where I can take breaks whenever necessary and have the time added to my exam.

It is such a great relief - for the first term of school I dealt with this on my own, sometimes leaving my exam with a level of 20+! Somehow I managed to do well even with the text blurred but I know I could have done better. I am so happy I looked into this and wanted to thank the TuDiabetes members who shared their story. Without that discussion, I'm not sure I would have looked into academic accommodation. I hope that others will have similar, positive experiences!

2

Thanks to share that. I never thought it was possible to ask something like that. I succeed two different college programs without that. But if I decide to go to university in the future, I'll keep that in mind. In computer sciences, you need to be very concentrate and not have a blurry vision to succeed exams !!!

3

you're so right! it is very difficult to read diagrams at the best of times :) so awesome to hear you're managing your programs. we all deserve the best shot at school - it was a lot easier to arrange than i thought it would be!

4

Do you have a pump ? If I had the pump while I was at college, everything would have been easier to manage. But it is easy to understand that a student can not afford a pump. To avoid hypo's, I frenquently create a little hyper on exam. It is unfortunate to have to do that.

Fortunately, my employer understand my disease and the numerous appointments that this implies.