Disability CHAT/HELP Thread

Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd

It's still a thing! :biggrin:

Unless postgrads/I are/am an exception to the rule :ninja:

Love that avatar. :h:

Reply 141

The_Lonely_Goatherd

Original post by 04MR17

Love that avatar. :h:

Thanks! I saw it on a Facebook page (which said people could use it), so I nabbed it :biggrin:

Original post by Pathway

Yeah I remember that! I know it was also hard to get the difference back in accommodation too. That's what my needs assessor told me anyway, but he still recommended it because I need adapted accommodation. My university ended up helping me with the accommodation costs instead, aha.

Ohh, really? I didn't know that changed for the mentors. I know mine was a private psychotherapist though. Were they allowed to not have MH-related qualifications before? :s-smilie:

Yeah I think they didn't necessarily need to have MH-related qualifications before. I know my ex-mentor (who was ****, lol. I fired her :tongue:

) didn't have any formal qualifications. She was just a PhD student (who then dropped out) who had been mentoring for years, but no formal qualifications afaik :erm:

Reply 142

Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd

Thanks! I saw it on a Facebook page (which said people could use it), so I nabbed it :biggrin:

That's how it always starts :rolleyes:

Reply 143

PerplexingGeode

Although I am not currently enrolled at university, I intend on enrolling with The Open University at some point in the future. Unfortunately, I am not able to pursue education currently, due to autism and mental health conditions.

:tea:

Reply 144

Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd

Yeah I think they didn't necessarily need to have MH-related qualifications before. I know my ex-mentor (who was ****, lol. I fired her :tongue:

) didn't have any formal qualifications. She was just a PhD student (who then dropped out) who had been mentoring for years, but no formal qualifications afaik :erm:

That's so bad. :zomg:

Reply 145

The_Lonely_Goatherd

Original post by PerplexingGeode

Open Uni sounds like a good step forward - I do hope you will be able to manage it at some point :smile:

Original post by Pathway

That's so bad. :zomg:

Yeah haha

I mean, she wasn't **** because she wasn't a trained professional or anything. She was just **** for other reasons (like not being able to remember my diagnosis. She kept insisting I have schizophrenia... :erm:

)

But yeah, I think it's good they've tightened up the rules about who can be a specialist mental health mentor, etc. :yep:

My current DSA mentor (the replacement for the **** one) is a qualified counsellor, who works for my uni's Counselling Service :yep:

She actually dropped all her DSA mentees aside from me, in order to focus on the Counselling Service :redface:

Reply 146

Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd

Open Uni sounds like a good step forward - I do hope you will be able to manage it at some point :smile:

Yeah haha

)

But yeah, I think it's good they've tightened up the rules about who can be a specialist mental health mentor, etc. :yep:

My current DSA mentor (the replacement for the **** one) is a qualified counsellor, who works for my uni's Counselling Service :yep:

She actually dropped all her DSA mentees aside from me, in order to focus on the Counselling Service :redface:

Wtf, that's such a simple thing to remember in the grand scheme of things. :zomg:

I'm glad you were able to change!

That's pretty amazing haha, do you get on well with her? I got on with my mentor pretty well, I think she understood me - also realised when I needed more help etc. Tbh, without her and my disability support worker I wouldn't have been able to complete my degree I don't think. :erm:

Reply 147

The_Lonely_Goatherd

Original post by Pathway

Wtf, that's such a simple thing to remember in the grand scheme of things. :zomg:

I know, lol. She was **** for other reasons too but when she got my diagnosis wrong a second time, I decided enough was enough. She didn't take too well to me sacking her :teehee:

Yeah, new one is nice, though she can be devastatingly blunt sometimes. Like she doesn't hold back on what she thinks of my family, etc :eek:

So glad you had the support to finish your degree - still so proud of you for that, btw :lovehug:

Reply 148

Original post by PerplexingGeode

Aw PG

How are you coping with it all at the minute?

Reply 149

Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd

I know, lol. She was **** for other reasons too but when she got my diagnosis wrong a second time, I decided enough was enough. She didn't take too well to me sacking her :teehee:

Yeah, new one is nice, though she can be devastatingly blunt sometimes. Like she doesn't hold back on what she thinks of my family, etc :eek:

So glad you had the support to finish your degree - still so proud of you for that, btw :lovehug:

Hahah, still really glad you were able to stand your ground and sack her. No use having a mentor that isn't helping you. Glad to here the new one is better, sorry that she's blunt though, not everyone likes that!

Thank you. :colondollar:

Reply 150

PerplexingGeode

Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd

Open Uni sounds like a good step forward - I do hope you will be able to manage it at some point :smile:

Yeah haha

)

But yeah, I think it's good they've tightened up the rules about who can be a specialist mental health mentor, etc. :yep:

My current DSA mentor (the replacement for the **** one) is a qualified counsellor, who works for my uni's Counselling Service :yep:

She actually dropped all her DSA mentees aside from me, in order to focus on the Counselling Service :redface:

Thank you, TLG, I really appreciate the positive comment. :smile:

Original post by 04MR17

Aw PG

How are you coping with it all at the minute?

It is difficult, I must admit - this year has been tough. I just try my best to 'muddle along', and take each day as it approaches - some days are worse/better than others, due to the nature of bipolar disorder. :redface:

Reply 151

Original post by PerplexingGeode

Yeah I can imagine. But that is what this thread is for. :yep:

Here you can post your thoughts, feelings, emotions whatever* because we are here to support each other with our conditions. :h:

Spoiler

Reply 152

Kindred

Got a new condition to add to the list! :woo:

I'm actually pretty pleased about it cos it means I'm not crazy and it's not a terribly bad condition (no permanent damage or anything going on).

Reply 153

Original post by Kindred

Got a new condition to add to the list! :woo:

I'm actually pretty pleased about it cos it means I'm not crazy and it's not a terribly bad condition (no permanent damage or anything going on).

Glad you got answers! I know it can be frustrating to know something is wrong, but not have answers.

Reply 154

Tiger Rag

Original post by Kindred

Got a new condition to add to the list! :woo:

I'm actually pretty pleased about it cos it means I'm not crazy and it's not a terribly bad condition (no permanent damage or anything going on).

Hurrah! I have to admit I have mixed feelings about a new diagnosis. It's nice to receive an answer though.

I have a feeling yet again, they're going to change one of mine. *sighs*

Reply 155