When my DD had her emergency surgery and missed over two weeks of classes…she worked with her advisor, the Dean of Students, and her professors…NOT the disability office.
When she was admitted to the hospital, the first contact she made was to the Dean of Students and her advisor. Next was her professors…so they would know why she was not in class.
The Dean of Students and her advisor were fabulous. Their goal was that she be able to complete as many courses as possible when she returned to classes.
But she missed a LOT of class…and one class…it was just impossible to make up,the missed work, and she withdrew from that class. That also enabled her to concentrate better on the remaining classes.
In other words…for that one class…it was IMPOSSIBLE for her to make up the missed work AND at the same time proceed with what was being taught.
But she never worked with the disabilities office. She did need notes from the doctors, but that was not an issue. The Dean of Students really was a huge advocate for her.
My son gets debilitating migraines that can knock him out for three days at a time one or two times a month (in addition to the headaches, he vomits non-stop and can’t stand light). He’s under the care of the best neurologists at UCSF, but they’ve only succeeded in reducing the number migraines he gets, not eliminating them. During orientation at Cal, he met with someone at the health center and received an accommodation. He informs each professor and teaching assistant of this at the start of the semester. We’ve both been happy about the way his professors understand and work with him if he has to miss class.
I agree with posts 1 and 2, way back there.
If the ailment rises to the level of being legally disabled, then yes, by all means try for some accommodations. Just a note that says " she gets headaches and might miss" isn’t enough on it’s own. Disabled persons can be at a real disadvantage so accommodations help them be equal, so naturally any college has to be careful not to give accommodations intended for the disabled to any student that merely asks for them. Don’t expect this young student do do all the work in full, on time like other students(if she is disabled). Of course trying for accommodations does not guarantee getting them, but you darn sure can’t get accommodations without trying. There may need to be more documentation than just your family doctor saying this student had bad headaches.
Just goes to show that everyone’s bodies react differently, I guess! I completely understand not wanting the steroids in your body. My TPIs are done with Traumeel, which is a homeopathic herb blend (primary ingredient is arnica, I think). I get the injections in my upper back - only about 3-4 times a year - and amazingly, I’m migraine-free. Whatever works!
Well, she is doing “OK”. She has her 504 now. She had the daith of her ear pierced, and has had only 2 minor headaches since the piercing, which is great!
One thing I do know about my daughter: She will never use accommodations unless she really needs them; it is not in her personality. I once saw her do homework for 7 hours with a bad migraine.
@AbsDad that is SO wonderful! I am so, so happy for her. I wish her continued good health!
Thank you so much for updating us!
I completely understand about being stubborn and not wanting accommodations. It took me about 4 months of extreme frustration to finally give in and admit I needed a wheelchair. Sometimes, stubborn is good. Sometimes, stubborn is our own worst enemy.
In high school, I once found my daughter in the dark (because of a migraine) but using a small flashlight beam to do her assigned reading.
Most kids with real problems want to be “normal” and do not want accommodations. In college, this often meant getting assignments done well in advance in case she had a migraine (or seizure, she had both) the night before due. She left any socializing early and always went to bed early. And if things got too bad she took a leave.
BUT, she did use accommodations, mainly because of the migraine recovery time, which sometimes made it hard to get things done in time. A kid with migraines doesn’t always benefit from extensions because the pressures of making up work while keeping up with what is currently assigned can trigger a migraine! But they also can be crucial.
Technology can help. That is an accommodation. One young woman had all her reading on a tv, because smaller print was a problem for her.
The dean explained the concept of a level playing field and that accommodations are not a favor. I hope your daughter can accept them at some point because they were crucial in my daughter’s ability to graduate.
I’m really learning a lot here - very insightful thread. On the subject of diet, I read a book on grains and it posited that even if you don’t have gluten sensitivity, gluten could be a cause of migraines. A neurologist took his patients off gluten completely and saw good results, any validity to that, has anyone tried that?
My daughter who has migraines also has celiac and has been off gluten for years. So it didn’t help her migraines- only meds have. But it is an idea worth trying. Eliminating dairy helps some as well.