[AnotherMemory]

This has been on my mind since the reality of uni started dawning and I was just looking for some advice/reassurance really.

I suffer from what I believe to be a mild for of Cerebral Palsy (CP) meaning that I can walk but have no balance and it affects my arms.

Well, recently it's just dawned on me that not only am I moving away from home but I'm moving away from the people who may not fully understand what I 'go through' (I hate that term, it makes it sound worse than it is in my opinion.) but who I can ask to slow down for instance without feeling like I'm getting in their way or annoying them.

What's really scaring me is the ability to find those people again and quite soon I suppose. I have always tried to hide my disability, not because I'm ashamed I will be the first person to admit I have it but because in my head, it doesn't /really/ exist if you know what I mean? I like to pretend I am normal and often the reality hits me hard.

Well, I suppose what I'm asking is;
How should I play it, best to tell people off the bat or let them come to me?

And can any disabled students at uni now let me know how long it took for you guys to find friends who understand?

Also, does anyone else feel the same way?

[OU Student]

Most people at uni are slightly more grown up than the people you may have encountered at school.

[AnotherMemory]

(Original post by OU Student)
Most people at uni are slightly more grown up than the people you may have encountered at school.

It's more my state of mind I think thats the problem. I'm just worried in case I end up being a... burden?
I dunno, that or friendless xD

[OU Student]

I'm sight impaired and had no problems at all whilst at uni. Staff were understanding (I would need to explain myself; fair enough) and so were the students.

[AnotherMemory]

(Original post by OU Student)
I'm sight impaired and had no problems at all whilst at uni. Staff were understanding (I would need to explain myself; fair enough) and so were the students.

Oh okay.
That's good to hear!
You're still at Uni I assume?

[flying plum]

OP - I don't think anyone will think you are a burden! In my experience, Uni is filled equally with lovely people, and idiots. The idiots probably would think you were a 'burden' if you couldn't go out when they wanted to etc etc., but then they think that because they are idiots, and you probably wouldn't want to be their friend CP or no CP. The other half will like you for who you are, regardless of any limitations your disability may present (if any at all). I don't have a disability myself, but a friend of mine at Uni did, and he never had any trouble making and keeping friends. His disability was 'obvious', and i think most of the time people were too diplomatic to ask questions unless he wanted to talk about it. By and large, we were all pretty good about asking him what he wanted to do, and made sure we had some more 'chilled' nights (it was hard for him to stand for long periods of time, so made sure that we had nights out that weren't all clubbing etc.).

Make sure you contact the uni before you make accomodation choices, if you need any special considerations (eg a ground floor room). They may also be able to take it into account when timetabling rooms for modules etc. if needs be.

[OU Student]

(Original post by AnotherMemory)
Oh okay.
That's good to hear!
You're still at Uni I assume?

My disabilities made it difficult to study full-time at a brick uni; so changed to open uni.

[AnotherMemory]

(Original post by flying plum)
OP - I don't think anyone will think you are a burden! In my experience, Uni is filled equally with lovely people, and idiots. The idiots probably would think you were a 'burden' if you couldn't go out when they wanted to etc etc., but then they think that because they are idiots, and you probably wouldn't want to be their friend CP or no CP. The other half will like you for who you are, regardless of any limitations your disability may present (if any at all). I don't have a disability myself, but a friend of mine at Uni did, and he never had any trouble making and keeping friends. His disability was 'obvious', and i think most of the time people were too diplomatic to ask questions unless he wanted to talk about it. By and large, we were all pretty good about asking him what he wanted to do, and made sure we had some more 'chilled' nights (it was hard for him to stand for long periods of time, so made sure that we had nights out that weren't all clubbing etc.).

Make sure you contact the uni before you make accomodation choices, if you need any special considerations (eg a ground floor room). They may also be able to take it into account when timetabling rooms for modules etc. if needs be.

Thank you!
I can't explain why but hearing it from someone else seems to work a lot better than me trying to rationalise it in my own mind! Haha.
Also thank you for the reminder about the accommodation! Have been meaning to contact them!
You are a star.

[AishaTara]

Dont let it put you off, people are more understanding and less childish at Uni as long as you are yourself and a lovely person, people will still respect and accept you

[AnotherMemory]

(Original post by AishaTara)
Dont let it put you off, people are more understanding and less childish at Uni as long as you are yourself and a lovely person, people will still respect and accept you

Thank you :3

[Indian_Prince]

I think youll be fine, there arent as many idiots in uni as there are in the lower sectors of education, sure youll find a few but you shouldnt let them put you down, I'm sure youll make lots of friends when you start.

[AnotherMemory]

(Original post by Indian_Prince)
I think youll be fine, there arent as many idiots in uni as there are in the lower sectors of education, sure youll find a few but you shouldnt let them put you down, I'm sure youll make lots of friends when you start.

Thank you
I am slightly worried how many have said there are idiots are Uni! Haha, and here's me thinking I would be getting away from those!

[Indian_Prince]

(Original post by AnotherMemory)
Thank you
I am slightly worried how many have said their are idiots are Uni! Haha, and here's me thinking I would be getting away from those!

No problem
Well dont worry about it, thats just life I guess, they are all over the place, even at work, its as though idiots are trying to conquer the world but yeh, just ignore them, thats what anoys them the most when they get no reaction But yeh, uni life is an experience, enjoy it!

[AnotherMemory]

(Original post by Indian_Prince)
No problem
Well dont worry about it, thats just life I guess, they are all over the place, even at work, its as though idiots are trying to conquer the world but yeh, just ignore them, thats what anoys them the most when they get no reaction But yeh, uni life is an experience, enjoy it!

Ah yes. Well, when you put it like that haha. I am pretty sure they are bless 'em. They don't seem to realise that their efforts are redundant! :P Thank you I /think/ I'm looking forward to it! xD

[Indian_Prince]

(Original post by AnotherMemory)
Ah yes. Well, when you put it like that haha. I am pretty sure they are bless 'em. They don't seem to realise that their efforts are redundant! :P Thank you I /think/ I'm looking forward to it! xD

haha yeh, im sure they end up maturing eventually, well i hope so... lol no problem, yeh, so what uni you going to?

[AnotherMemory]

(Original post by Indian_Prince)
haha yeh, im sure they end up maturing eventually, well i hope so... lol no problem, yeh, so what uni you going to?

You'd think, but then I swear they meet some more idiots and carrying on as they were xD
I'm going to Portsmouth if I get the grades!
Very excited!

[OU Student]

Good luck! It might also be worth making yourself known to disabled students service. When I was at uni, all tutors were informed. If I had a problem, I was able to email them, arrange to meet up and discuss my problems and what help I need.

[Indian_Prince]

(Original post by AnotherMemory)
You'd think, but then I swear they meet some more idiots and carrying on as they were xD
I'm going to Portsmouth if I get the grades!
Very excited!

haha yeh and then a crew of idiots begins i guess one or two do end up turning things around for themselves once theyve noticed their ways though

wow thats pretty cool, im sure you will, good luck!

[AnotherMemory]

(Original post by OU Student)
Good luck! It might also be worth making yourself known to disabled students service. When I was at uni, all tutors were informed. If I had a problem, I was able to email them, arrange to meet up and discuss my problems and what help I need.

Thanks you!
I have started to yes but that is definitely something I am going to make sure I do.
Thank you for your help and advice! Greatly appreciated :3