[xfirekittyx]

Hi,
So I've left this quite late - my dad said he had a look and they need medical evidence - is a doctors letter just saying I have CFS/M.E enough?
Or do I need a letter listing all my problems and what that means I need support wise at uni? Or will they take my word at the needs assesment?
I think my most recent letter is something saying I have CFS and asking for exam arrangements (but not really saying why I need them in detail, which is fine for a-levels)
Really confused!

[Acei]

A doctors letter should be sufficient which states the condition/s and how they effect you.

[OU Student]

I just sent one in stating briefly what my disabilities are and it was accepted. It doesn't matter if you don't know what help you'll need at uni - hence the assessment.

[03hope03]

(Original post by xfirekittyx)
Hi,
So I've left this quite late - my dad said he had a look and they need medical evidence - is a doctors letter just saying I have CFS/M.E enough?
Or do I need a letter listing all my problems and what that means I need support wise at uni? Or will they take my word at the needs assesment?
I think my most recent letter is something saying I have CFS and asking for exam arrangements (but not really saying why I need them in detail, which is fine for a-levels)
Really confused!

Hi! I also have CFS My letter from the specialist I see details my condition, the symptoms, how I manage them, and what I currently get in terms of help. I took this letter along to the open days I've been to and spoke to the disability services and they said my letter had more than enough information. They said they really just need to know a bit about the condition and help you might need, as the assessment provides them with more information. Remember, they'll have other students who have CFS and need help so they'll have an idea of what you need and how you're feeling.

[xfirekittyx]

(Original post by 03hope03)
Hi! I also have CFS My letter from the specialist I see details my condition, the symptoms, how I manage them, and what I currently get in terms of help. I took this letter along to the open days I've been to and spoke to the disability services and they said my letter had more than enough information. They said they really just need to know a bit about the condition and help you might need, as the assessment provides them with more information. Remember, they'll have other students who have CFS and need help so they'll have an idea of what you need and how you're feeling.

Hiya Sorry for taking a long time to reply! That sounds really helpful it and like you're being well looked after! My letters don't consist of anything that useful until you dig back, to five to seven years ago and I don't think they're considered recent enough :P I actually think it can be worse when they have other students with CFS, because it's such a diverse condition in the way it can affect someone, some people think if one person with CFS can cope with x everyone with CFS can cope with x which is really frustrating. I've had a long standing battle with my exams officer this year, because she doesn't believe I can be that bad because I'm not in a wheelchair like the other student with CFS she had a few years ago. Ok my legs may be better, but my arms are really bad, my cognitive symptoms can be really severe as are my sleep problem :P But hopefully if I have a doctors letter saying all this, they'll give the support at uni. Does anyone know how long it takes to know if they've accepted your DSA application?

[xfirekittyx]

Oh btw if anyone hasnt applied yet this year/ sees this thread next year. My medical evidence wasn't good enough. They haven't rejected my claim they just want another letter. My dad spoke to student finance on my behalf and eventually got an answer - the only thing wrong with it was that the doctors letter wasnt specifically for student finance and addressed to them. They don't make this clear in the application process. I'm going to be a bit if a cynic and think it's because the government is trying to cut down on dsa they are making the process less transpparent on my letter they listed the reason as no evidence I had the cfs. Even though the letter stated my diagnosis right at the top and the letter stated it again...
So in short makesure your letter reads 'dear student finance' or similar

[OU Student]

(Original post by xfirekittyx)
Oh btw if anyone hasnt applied yet this year/ sees this thread next year. My medical evidence wasn't good enough. They haven't rejected my claim they just want another letter. My dad spoke to student finance on my behalf and eventually got an answer - the only thing wrong with it was that the doctors letter wasnt specifically for student finance and addressed to them. They don't make this clear in the application process. I'm going to be a bit if a cynic and think it's because the government is trying to cut down on dsa they are making the process less transpparent on my letter they listed the reason as no evidence I had the cfs. Even though the letter stated my diagnosis right at the top and the letter stated it again...
So in short makesure your letter reads 'dear student finance' or similar

That is ridiculous. When I applied, I had letters accepted which started off with "dear sir / madam" or "To whom it may concern". They were accepted.

[xfirekittyx]

(Original post by OU Student)
That is ridiculous. When I applied, I had letters accepted which started off with "dear sir / madam" or "To whom it may concern". They were accepted.

Maybe you can start like that, if you put the address to student finance? To be fair mine was quite obviously addressed to someone else needing medical evidence of my condition . I just think it's ridiculous because a lot of doctors charge for letters to be written. So surely if someone has medical evidence, but student finance want something specific for them they should reimburse, because I thought the whole point of DSA was getting disabled students the help they need without incurring a charge to them for being able to access education?