*MIT - CF question

Re: *MIT - CF question

• Mainer-in-Texas

  July 2011

  Hey there - you are right, I have been nothing but a dirty lurker lately

  So, I don't think I can answer your question because this is something I never even considered looking into - mostly because I had no idea that I even could look into something like this. The only time I ever brought up my CF was one time when I was in the ER with pneumonia until 2 AM the night before a final and I had to take the final the next morning, sick as a dog, anyway. The professor said my only other option was to take the class over again. I was pissed. Oh, and one time I had to miss a field hockey game because I was sick.

  Other than that, I just busted my ass and sucked it up when I didn't feel good, which wasn't the best thing for my health, because I got sick all.the.time due to stress/lack of sleep (and the fact that I would take my antibiotics and then go out and party was not good either). My friends used to always say "you are always sick!" But luckily I graduated without experiencing any decline in lung function.

  In retrospect, I think the best thing for me would have been to lighten my course load - I had to take 15-20 hours a semester, (and it was usually on the higher end of that range), in order to graduate in four years. It was soooo stressful, (for everyone - not just because of my CF). Stretching it out to five years would have been better, but that would have cost another $30K +, something that was not really an option for me, unless the school could have waived most of that cost.
  

  

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• grahamsm3

  

  July 2011

  Mainer-in-Texas:

  So, I don't think I can answer your question because this is something I never even considered looking into - mostly because I had no idea that I even could look into something like this. The only time I ever brought up my CF was one time when I was in the ER with pneumonia until 2 AM the night before a final and I had to take the final the next morning, sick as a dog, anyway. The professor said my only other option was to take the class over again. I was pissed.
  

  Thanks for sharing. I did some looking on the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation site and found that they have some really good guides for teachers about having students with CF and the accommodations that might need to be in place. 

  Too bad you didn't have a 504 plan- if you go back to school look into it to protect you.
  

  One thing that I learned was that if you want accommodation due to hospitalization or being forced to miss school due to a disability is to get it written into a plan before you get sick or the teacher can be a d!ck. 

  I wish that we didn't need 504 plans - so many of the accommodations are easy to grant if your not an a-hole - but so many teachers (especially upper level teachers) are - that people need protection.

  I named my girl in the paper after you anyway, you can imagine that you needed the teacher to be told not to mock you if your farts stink
  

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  Aspect of CF requiring accommodation	Classroom accommodation made	Why the accommodation is needed
  Airways frequently clogged with mucus	Kristen may leave the room anytime to cough, huff, or use her Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) device. She will not be penalized for missing lessons, directions, or test time.	Build up of mucus in the airways can lead to death if not routinely expelled.   Doing airway clearing techniques in the classroom is embarrassing to Kristen.
  Taking pancreatic enzyme supplement capsules with all meals and snacks	Kristen will be allowed to leave the classroom 3-5 minutes before any meal, snack, or event serving food to see the nurse and take her enzyme supplement.	Kristen must take the supplement before eating, and the enzyme should be in her system a few minutes before eating.
  Frequent loose stools, bowel movements, and odorous flatulence	Kristen will be allowed to excuse herself to the restroom at will. No comments will be made about foul smelling gas and any accidents will be handled quickly and discreetly.	Allowing Kristen to use the restroom without delay can prevent feces accidents. Feces accidents are unpleasant, embarrassing, and unsanitary.
  Dehydration during physical activity and hot, humid weather.	Kristen will be allowed to keep a water bottle with her at all times, especially during recess and physical education classes.	Kristen will dehydrate more quickly than her peers and needs access to water to prevent dehydration and its serious side effects
  Long-term complications requiring hospitalization	Should Kristen be hospitalized or absent from school due to her CF for more than 1 week a tutor will be provided by the school. The tutor will be responsible for coordinating with the classroom teacher to keep Kristen on track with class lessons and work to the extent her physical condition allows.	Long-term hospitalization is a reality for many people with CF. Keeping up with schoolwork prevents a negative impact on Kristen?s learning.

   
  

   

  

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