[AnnabelleGC]

I'm not sure if this should be here or in the Health/Relationships forum?

I was recently diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and am hoping to be going to Lincoln College, Oxford in October. I'm not worried about who knows so I'm not writing anonymously

I contacted the college and asked if I could have an en-suite room as, as anyone who knows anything about Ulcerative Colitis will know, this is the most important thing! They said that wouldn't be a problem with a letter from my specialist. I'm just wondering if anyone on here has Crohn's or Colitis at uni and has any advice for me for while I'm at uni as it's a pretty big lifestyle change! Do you find tutors are understanding about problems with pain/tiredness or is it really a matter of having to work around it? I've joined the NACC and they've been quite helpful with advice and things. I'm thinking of writing something similar on the "IBD and Me" board.

Secondly, I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with applying for the Disabled Students' Allowance and Disabled Living Allowance with Ulcerative Colitis. I'd really appreciate getting in contact with anyone who has filled out either of these applications for Ulcerative Colitis.

Thanks for any help.

[eden]

i know sometimes dsa can meet the cost difference between a standard and an ensuite room i think. fill in the application form for the dsa, (you'll need a letter from the dr/whoever), and you'll have a needs assessment which will find things that may be of help, that you'd never considered.

i know my sister gets dla for her crohns disease. but i didnt apply so i dont know any details about applying for that. cant remember what she gets. (she's younger than me, at the end of yr 10, though hasnt been well enough to attend a single day in school for 18 months).

the most important thing is to applyt for the things, and remember that if you need help at uni: extensions etc, to ask for help! tutors are usually helpful and considerate, but only if they know youre having difficulties

[AnnabelleGC]

Originally Posted by eden

i know sometimes dsa can meet the cost difference between a standard and an ensuite room i think. fill in the application form for the dsa, (you'll need a letter from the dr/whoever), and you'll have a needs assessment which will find things that may be of help, that you'd never considered.

i know my sister gets dla for her crohns disease. but i didnt apply so i dont know any details about applying for that. cant remember what she gets. (she's younger than me, at the end of yr 10, though hasnt been well enough to attend a single day in school for 18 months).

the most important thing is to applyt for the things, and remember that if you need help at uni: extensions etc, to ask for help! tutors are usually helpful and considerate, but only if they know youre having difficulties

Thanks, Eden. The thing is, it's difficult to know 'how ill' you're meant to be to claim DLA. It does say that you're entitled to support if your medical condition means that you can't enjoy the same quality of life as someone who doesn't have the condition (or something along those lines) which is a bit more reassuring. I've told the college that they can notify my tutors about my condition and I've forwarded a leaflet from the NACC's (National Association of Crohn's and Colitis) website which is aimed at university lectures and explains what Crohn's and Colitis are and how they can affect a student's life. I've also been assured that an en-suite room won't be a problem and that I won't have to pay any extra for it which is great. Something I'm quite worried about is the assessment because I don't know what the 'right' answers are and how sympathetic they'll be or if it'll all be cold, hard fact and very little care (which might be quite upsetting for me). Do you know if your sister found the assessments okay?
By the way, thanks for your reply.

[eden]

Originally Posted by AnnabelleGC

Thanks, Eden. The thing is, it's difficult to know 'how ill' you're meant to be to claim DLA. It does say that you're entitled to support if your medical condition means that you can't enjoy the same quality of life as someone who doesn't have the condition (or something along those lines) which is a bit more reassuring. I've told the college that they can notify my tutors about my condition and I've forwarded a leaflet from the NACC's (National Association of Crohn's and Colitis) website which is aimed at university lectures and explains what Crohn's and Colitis are and how they can affect a student's life. I've also been assured that an en-suite room won't be a problem and that I won't have to pay any extra for it which is great. Something I'm quite worried about is the assessment because I don't know what the 'right' answers are and how sympathetic they'll be or if it'll all be cold, hard fact and very little care (which might be quite upsetting for me). Do you know if your sister found the assessments okay?
By the way, thanks for your reply.

the dsa needs assessment: absolutely don't worry about it at all. theyre not there to catch you out theyre actually there to help you. and i think most people find it really useful. they have a list of areas they will go through - some people have difficulties in different areas depending on their condition. and it sounds stupid but it is useful to think about how your condition affects you first. (just because its a different way of studying: for me there were things suggested that i hadnt thought of as being a problem).

for you ( i have no idea how you are affected - just a vague guess) it might be things like something to record lectures with possibly, if your not concentrating/missing stuff. and the cost of ensuite will come into that too. loads of random things can be sugested: people support as well as equipment too depending on the individual.

my sister is only in yr 10 so hasnt applied for dsa. but my parents applied for dla on her behalf. all i know is you need to fill it out based on a "bad day" for you, and that lots of people do struggle to get it straight away. i am sure there is somewhere you can take it to help you fill it out/check the form but i cant remember where right now. can your family help you fill it out at all?