Proof for Profs... WHAT DO I DO?!

[hiphuray4peas]

Almost all of my professors deduct points from your grade for absences, with exception of very few things- including death and hospitalization. However I've hidden in my apartment for days on end just because I can deal, cope and have easy access to my toilet. In the meantime my grades suffer. I'm not able to produce a doctors note every single time, (it happens frequently and I can't afford to pay twenty bucks to go see my normal practicioner everytime who even after all that has no idea what IC is and thus can't give a proper excuse).
I don't know how to get out of this downward slope for my grades without embarrassing myself by urinating in front of the class. (Which might I add has happened before).
PLEASE... ANYONE WHO HAS ANY SUGGESTION ON HOW TO GET SOME UNDERSTANDING OR TOLERANCE FROM THE UNIVERSITY....

[traceann]

Hello and :welcome: to the gang! Sounds like that would be an awful situtation to be in. Is there anyway you can get a "blanket" note from your doc, or a letter to each of your profs telling them that you may have to be absent some days due to a medical condition, etc, and to consider that letter your doctor's excuse? What about a studen liaison or something? Like a "human resources" deptartment you can go to for help in coordinating your schooling with your medical needs????

There's got to be a way! Hopefully the rest of the gang will have some advice for you...

Once again, glad to meet you and hope to see you around the boards! ;)

Hugs!

[ICNDonna]

There should be an office at your college to help students with disabilities. I suggest you talk with them. One letter should suffice.

Donna

[mo_rah]

I know how you feel. Try explaining to your clinical microbiology lecturer that you have cystitis that's not caused by an infection. i used to hide away at home whenever i had a lecture in a room that didn't have a toilet right outside. One day i got over my embarrassment and went and bought some of those super size poise pads. i figured then if the worst happened no one would know about it, but it's never come to that. i found wearing them decreased my anxiety, which in turn decreased that "i need to go right NOW!!!" feeling. i also found out that the campus counselling service organised 'equity exams' so with a note from my doctor i was able to do my exams in a special room with other students with disabilities and was allowed extra time for toilet breaks. Hope your uni has some kind of similar program. best of luck :) jo

[TabbiH]

As a student and a teacher (strange situation, I know), I have experienced this from both ends. The school I'm had has a disabilities policy that requires you to notify the instructor with a form the disabilities office provides within the first two weeks of school, or immediately after diagnosis. In other words, you can't decide a week before the final that you have a disability that requires a specially-written exam.

From the professor's side, try to always keep them informed. If you wake up in the morning and don't feel well enough to attend class, call or send an e-mail in the morning before class, not the next day. When students do that, it seems like they're using their disability as an excuse. Also, if you have an assignment due, e-mail it when it's due and then follow up with a printed copy when you're able. You might also try an online course in conjunction with regular ones to keep yourself on track towards graduation. Good luck!

[Trac348]

All those are great suggestions. I go through the same things. I go in the first day and after class tell them I have a health problem most are understanding. For me the key is being upfront with the professors. Sometimes they are not understanding but most are. The blanket note is also the way to go for the tough professor that needs the proof. After that they sould'nt give you a problem. I wish you the best of luck. Trac

[poetgirl]

I assume your university has an office of Disability Services, who can help you navigate through the problems associated with having a disability while trying to complete degree requirements. You will definitely need a letter from your doctor stating your disease, its severity and impact on your daily life. Universities often have ombudspersons, who can help you find solutions and mediate difficult situations on your behalf.

As someone who has been a university student for 8 years (and finally graduating in two weeks!) I will say that open communication with your professors is extremely important. You should try to make every effort you can to attend class, even if you can't sit through all of it, because that will at least strengthen your case for any leniency they give you regarding absences. I suffered a horrendous spasm in my neck earlier this semester but contacted my professors right away to let them know what happened and why I would be missing class, and they were very understanding. From their perspective, in each of their classes they see a certain percentage of students who are slackers and don't make the effort to show up or be prepared. So after a while, they get to the point where they have to institute really strict policies in order to force students to be present at least a minimum number of times in order to pass the class. I've found that in most cases, my professors were willing to work with me when I had to miss class due to illness or work-related conflicts. You will always run across a few that are less tolerant, and in those cases, you may need to go to the head of the department or the dean.

I guess the larger issue here is -- are you well enough to manage attending school consistently enough to keep up and pass your classes? This is your education and something you should not take lightly, just as you should not take your health lightly. I'm 35 and only finishing up my bachelor's degree now. I have an excellent career, which I did without the benefit of the degree. I went back to get the degree to fulfill a personal goal. But I am proof that you can put school on hold and still have a meaningful life. I only say this because as a fellow student and IC patient -- you are not getting all that you can get out of your education if you are physically unable to attend class. And the anxiety you are experiencing as a result of worrying about not being in class and being able to keep up will only compound the situation. Perhaps there is a way to attain your degree online? Maybe going to school part-time would be easier on you right now. I don't really know much about your situation, but I think these are all important options to consider. These are good points to bring up with the people at the Disability Services office, so that you can ask for their advice and recommendations.

I'm sorry you're having a difficult time. I wish I had better answers for you, but I do understand how stressful it is to try to maintain a courseload at school when you are not feeling well. I hope you find a good solution.

[hiphuray4peas]

Thank you everyone for giving me advice... I have a meeting with disabled student services this week and we're going to find some good solutions. It's been difficult but you guys gave me some ideas when I had none, and for that I am very grateful.