Print

---

I have no information on whatever may be approved or correct procedures
in such situations, but I well remember a friend, some 20 to 25 years
ago, who studied full-time at university for 3 years, living in halls of
residence, at a time when she might have several epileptic fits a day.
As I remember her own accounts of her experiences, she had a number of
difficulties which may not be immediately obvious:
 
    1) Strangers reacting to her fits as though they were dramatic
emergencies, when to her they were routine annoyances.
 
    2) People insisting on calling ambulances and doctors, against her
expressed wishes. (She coped with these two largely by making sure that
all the people around her knew the right things to do, and knew what to
avoid doing.)
 
    3) Breaking her arm again and again by violently hitting furniture
which hadn't been moved out of the way during a fit.
 
    4) Repeatedly coming round and finding herself in yet another
different hospital, with a sinking feeling of despair, knowing that she
faced possibly days of phoning relatives and her own doctor before she
could get herself discharged and back to her normal life.
 
    5) Often feeling, at the times when she needed a bit of help, some
tender care, and a rest, that she was having to work hard to stop
well-meaning people do the wrong things, and battling to keep her own
control of her own situation.
 
Beware: this is my memory of one person's accounts, and other people
with dyslexia may have entirely different wishes and needs! but I hope
it's a bit of help.
 
(She gained a very good degree, and went on to do a PhD.)
 
Robert

Robert Edwards 
Disability and Dyslexia Service 
University of Glamorgan 
01443 482981 

 


________________________________

	From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support
staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bryan Coleman
	Sent: 30 August 2005 12:46
	To: [log in to unmask]
	Subject: Re: Students with Uncontrolled Epilepsy Living in Halls
of Residence
	
	
	Hello Jackie,
	 
	We have a student with uncontrolled epilepsy coming here next
month. As she is happy to talk to staff and students herself, I plan to
arrange an awareness session for accommodation and security staff, and
separate session for teaching staff and students. With her agreement, I
may also make use of a video which has information on the management of
seizures (the third item on this page):
	 
	
http://www.epilepsynse.org.uk/pages/involved/online_shop/index.cfm?categ
ory=3&x=22&y=7
	 
	I would also be interested if anyone else has experience of
this.
	    
	            Thanks,
	 
	            Bryan

		-----Original Message-----
		From: Discussion list for disabled students and their
support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Evans,
Jacqueline M
		Sent: 30 August 2005 11:09
		To: [log in to unmask]
		Subject: Students with Uncontrolled Epilepsy Living in
Halls of Residence
		
		

		Dear colleagues, 
		We have a number of students with uncontrolled epilepsy
who are due to start studying at Wolverhampton at the end of September.
I would be most interested to know what extra support/facilities, if
any, other universities have provided for this group of students in
order to enhance their safety whilst living on campus?

		I look forward to hearing from you. 

		Jackie Evans 
		Disabilities Consultative Officer 
		Students Enabling Centre 
		Student Services Gateway 
		University of Wolverhampton 
		Stafford Street 
		Wolverhampton 
		WV1 1SB 
		(01902) 32 10 73