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?category=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