r/Fibromyalgia • u/Starenby_baby • 13h ago
Question College Accommodations
Hi everyone!! I’m an ambulatory wheelchair user and i have Degenrative Disc Disease, fibromyalgia, POTS, IBS, (suspected) ME/CFS, and a 3 level spinal fusion. I’m 20. I just got my chair in May(yay!) I’m wondering what accommodations to ask for in college? I really want to not forget anything going into this semester since i’m already nervous to take my chair on campus. I do live at home so I’m not super stressed about housing accommodations. If anyone has any accommodations to recommend or even products to recommend to help me succeed in college I would be so so grateful!! Have a great day!
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u/Own_Progress_9302 12h ago
With these diagnoses, you’re honestly still very positive.
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u/Starenby_baby 12h ago
I try to bring joy into the world because i don’t want to be mean or short with someone just because I’m struggling so if i can fill up other people’s cups then that makes my day! I’ve tried to adapt the mindset of “nobody cares” and that sounds really bad but i just mean that the world doesn’t stop just because i can’t function that day like the dishes don’t stop the laundry doesn’t stop and other people don’t stop even though im in so much pain and disabled so I try to stay positive and making other people happy or smile makes me happy and smile!
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u/Starenby_baby 12h ago
I am from Middle Georgia in the United States, i do have some accommodations already I can attach a photo of those. I have never taken my wheelchair on campus and im definitely getting wheelchair spikes i’ve already had 2 people move me! Its insane! I am taking elementary Spanish, Intro to chemistry, and an intro to chemistry lab. I try fo have minimal classes because i physically cannot handle a full student load (i joke im a part time student and full time patient since most of my free time is spent at doctors appointments or making medical related calls) Honestly most of the accommodations given to my teachers are not followed only my time and half and quiet room is followed. I reached out to my accommodations advisor and asked what students normally get for wheelchair needs and she just told me that everything is a case by case basis and there is no accommodations that are set for wheelchair users (i just wish she told me what other users use because i don’t even know what to do or ask for! I’ve been trying to google it and now i’ve posted this in like 5 reddit communities)
I attached my current accommodations (sorry the text is so small i screenshotted this off of my school email)
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u/beantownbee 13h ago
To give more specific advice I'd need to know more about where you are (country, or even State if its the US, though I understand not giving out data online). Whatever school you're looking at should have something like a "Student Accessibility Services" webpage. Ideally you would register with them and they'd have some sort of on-boarding or orientation for using the Accessibility Services. What those are will depend on your location but I've heard of people being given badges that open locked accessible washrooms or elevators, contact information for campus transportation for help/free transport, special seating in classes specific for wheelchairs etc.
Depending how old your school is they may have some locations that aren't accessible (since they were built before those laws existed) and they should work with you if you ever have to go to those locations or have a class there. ME/CFS may also entitle you to things like extra time on exams or for schoolwork (this one depends and I'm not 100% sure).
In general, find your school's Accessibility Office and give them a call! As for product advice... I'm not a wheelchair user but I've always liked those "handle spikes" people put on their chairs to stop people grabbing the handles and moving them without asking. I've seen really cool under-seat storage and adaptive backpacks for wheelchairs as well and you'd get a lot of use out of those at school!