College:

• Long walks across campus for classes, eating, and socializing
• Carting stacks of books in a weighed-down backpack
• A required number of courses per semester
• A limited time to complete a degree

Although college has lots of perks – I remember my own college days fondly – college can be tough for those with a chronic illness.  Perhaps…

• Fatigue is a factor.
• Pain zaps your concentration and attention.
• You can’t carry piles of heavy textbooks.
• You’re surrounded by young, healthy students and feel alone.
• You’re hospitalized or home-bound for a month mid-semester and fall behind.

DePaul University has created a Chronic Illness Initiative.  This program provides:

• Flexible make-up policies.
• Flexible course load requirements.
• Unlimited time to complete a degree.
• A special advisor available for assistance.
• Training for professors and staff, so they better understand the limitations of chronic illness.
• Peer-discussion opportunities.

How about a college cheer for DePaul!!!

Source:  Rest Ministries HopeKeepers Magazine, Jan. 2008

The deadline for your May Pain-Blog Carnival submission is 5/23.  This week’s Grand Rounds, a medical blog carnival, is hosted by Musings of a Dinosaur.