Hi
Wonder if anyone can offer any advice. A student with a spinal injury
contacted me today. He says he cannot attempt to sit and read or use a
computer for even brief periods because of chronic pain, and that he is only
comfortable when he is lying flat on his back, when there is "no pressure on
the spine". I don't have access to the details of his condition at this
time.
He asked for advice on aids that could allow him to read and undertake
computer based coursework tasks while lying flat on his back. He thought
some way of "projecting the pages of a book onto a screen over his head"
might work. I made some basic suggestions he didn't think would help. In the
end, I could only suggest some specialist equipment suppliers he could
investigate and that he might want to contact AbilityNet or local British
Computer Society volunteers.
The student studies at University of Essex and I think he could benefit from
expertise I'm not able to offer. Is there a specialist assessment service I
can refer him to, or tell him to ask to be referred to by his GP or Social
Services, where he can try out potential aids and adaptations that allow him
to use computer equipment and read in bed that take into account any medical
implications of his condition, ideally in the London or Essex area? Any
suggestions on how best to advise this student will be gratefully received.
If necessary, I can approach his local education authority to pay for a
specialist assessment. However, I'm concerned that the nature of the
assessment might require involvement of medical specialists, which might not
happen if a private assssment is arranged. It wasn't possible to explore his
current treatment but I got the impression he is struggling to get medical
support that he's happy with, as he also asked if I knew of any charities he
could approach to pay for surgery.
Maybe people know of a good spinal injuries organisation I can refer him to
that can provide practical, realistic advice and support e.g. arranging
appropriate treatment through the NHS, understanding why treatment isn't
being offered, pursuing alternative options etc?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions people come up with.
Regards
Ian Francis
|