Today I visited a school (in an agriculture program) for a day, and when I came back I cried and cried. I have had depression for about 7 years, and the only way I can get relief is from working outside (sun+distraction+physical activity). After one year of studying accounting I went home for the summer and after 2 days of working I felt so much better. I still feel depressed but I experience happiness as well. My dad lets me eat when I want and if I have a hypo I can lay down for 20 minutes. It is very good for me. I decided to study in horticulture at a nearby college and had a truly HORRIBLE experience. The teachers would not let me eat in class, made me leave class, and then discuss my diabetes with the class. To make things worse, my teacher had a brother who is an endo who told her “diabetes doesn’t stop you from doing anything”, which she loved to tell me. At the time I was on the pump which would infect after two days and have my bloodsugars skyrocket, needing an obscene amount of insulin to bring back. It was a big mess. I kept falling asleep in class which eventually led the teachers to tell me I should quit to “work on my health”. I was so tired of it by then so I did. Anyways. So now one year later my control is a bit better due to going back on injections, but I still have lots of issues with migraines, lethargy, depression and ■■■■■■blood sugar control. At my parents if I have the right to eat and rest if I need to it is easy for me to do a 12 hour day, and I really enjoy it. But the problem arises when I go to school in a strict environment. I asked questions to the teachers today about eating in class and breaks, and they also seemed to be very strict. I’m currently studying online but I would love to be able to succeed in a class with people my age. Anyways this was a rant I would love to hear about similar experiences.
Chances are that you will be covered by a reasonable accommodation if one can be determined. My suggestion is to pursue the following course of action:
First write down what you seek int eh way of an accommodation. Remember these must be reasonable and they cannot be used to excuse requirements.
Second, find your school disability office. Ask them for forms that will be used to apply the accommodation. Take these forms and meet with your doctor who will have to fill it out.
third take the forms back to the school, where they will make a determination about the accommodation allowed. Chances are good not every thing you doctor asks for will be done.
Best,
rick
I’ve had my boss, a lawyer, tell me that diabetics don’t need reasonable accommodations, and demanded that I use the public restroom to check my blood sugar and to do my injections- all because one or two paralegals didn’t want me checking my sugar at my cubicle, even though they didn’t have to watch.
I did my best and eventually got the keys to a changing room on a different floor from a building administrator not connected to our office to administer my insulin, but to this day, I still despise this lawyer, who is also my aunt’s husband.
It’s good to make relationships with those who have the means to solve problems caused by others, even if that means negotiating. I spent a bit of time negotiating with school administration to change the time of a class that I was required to take for college because I was required to inject insulin within a specific time window. I don’t think I could have done it on my own, but the class was moved to accommodate.
One thing to note, you’re teacher should avoid using that phrase “diabetes doesn’t stop you from doing anything”. The line is completely true- she just fails to see that she’s the one stonewalling you.
It reminds me of this line from Kiss Me, Kate.
Guns Don’t Kill People…
Thank for for taking the time to reply. I will be following your advice!
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. There are always one or two people disgusted by testing and injections. It must have sucked for you to walk up to that room everytime you needed to test or give yourself insulin.
When I went to college the first time around, I got covered under the ADA. I was able to eat in class, take my medication, check my sugars, leave if I needed, and I was able to have my supplies with me during tests. It was all a bunch of little things (maybe not little, seemed like it to me, though), but that way I knew I wasn’t going to have problems.
I now go to community college and have not searched out protection. I would just go up to my professors after the end of the first class and explain my situation. I never had one say the I couldn’t eat in class or leave briefly if I needed to. The atmosphere where I go is very relaxed, though.