Can a disability (epilepsy) be an advantage?

compmom
Fri, 08 Dec 2017 16:24:47 +0000

As the parent of a kid with epilepsy and a few other serious medical conditions, I just have to say that I found the title of this thread a little offensive. But I realize it is a matter of wording. Clearly epilepsy is NEVER an advantage in life and any parent would trade admissions at a desired college for a healthy kid any time.

So…of course, the ability to overcome an obstacle like epilepsy and surgeries and all that entails, and still maintain academic performance, is commendable and shows the “character” and “ability to overcome obstacles” that colleges say they want so yes, if the guidance counselor mentions her challenges,yes, it may help. In some cases guidance counselors will ask the family to write a note. If you do write one, make it matter of fact and factual and let the college come to its own conclusions.

There might be scholarships for kids with epilepsy. Check a database for that or call the Epilepsy Foundation.

I would not ever, ever mention this “advantage” to my kid. It breeds a bad attitude about ill health in terms of identifying as a victim or as someone who is entitled to favors. It would appear, since your daughter has continued to work hard and do well, that she is a warrior who has not succumbed to any of this and that you have, so far, done a great job parenting a kid with a disability.

One thing about essays: she can write an essay about this but I also think and essay about something else can be healthy, and she can use the shorter supplementary essay that asks about anything about you that hasn’t been covered in the application, and write about her medical challenges.

Make sure she registers with the Office of Disabilities once admitted. And that a dean or advisor or someone who can be helpful to her also knows about her epilepsy. She can have a single room, reduced course load (with extended financial aid), extra time on papers, exams in a room by herself, excused absences for appointments etc.

If medical leaves are ever needed, they can be very useful in terms of gaining work or volunteer experience once the problem is handled.

I think you might want to check the Colleges that Change Lives website. I don’t know where you are located but Goucher and Clark U come to mind. Good luck!