Hi Katy,
We have 2 students with this condition; one has other conditions as well
which qualified her for DSA, the other was reluctant to go for DSA. The
latter actually contacted us asking if we thought it was a disability - we
said yes, as it has a substantial impact on her life as a student. We
provided her with waterproof paper & a special pen, dictaphone for lectures,
extra time in exams & option to use computer.
The first student uses an Alphasmart notetaker in lectures and the keyboard
for this & her home computer haven't rotted away yet! If she writes on paper
it simply melts - it's really quite a debilitating (& embarrassing)
condition, which worsens under stress.
My understanding was that surgery is only effective in a small minority, and
that most doctors will not opt for it anyway.
Sue
-----Original Message-----
From: Katy Mann [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 10 June 2004 22:33
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: What qualifies as a disability?
I'm wondering if anybody has come across this before. A student
has just contacted me saying she thinks she has a disability as she
has hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating on her hands and feet) which
makes writing difficult.
She claims that she can't take medication for this because of the
side effects and there is no operation for it. I know this is not the
case as there is an operation which is usually 98% effective on
curing the problem, at least on the hands.
On the basis of this condition does anyone think she would be
eligible for the DSA. My feeling it that it is highly unlikely, and, even if
it were, apart from the recommendation for pens with rubber grips
on them, any technical equipment is unlikely to be of any use as if
the problem is that bad she could end up short circuiting it!
In terms of any in house support that we have available, again, I
don't think anything would be of particular benefit apart from perhaps
the provision of a Scribe in exams but I think that even this in
circumspect.
While I recognise that it is an unpleasant condition to have to live
with my feeling is that she is chancing her arm..or am I just too
cynical...
I would be very interested to hear what other people think.
Katy
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