Firstly, I don't know how exactly you qualify as a medic in the US, so I'm going to keep my views/thoughts as general as possible (but not intentionally vague).

I think that with all health-related courses, you need to look at what you *have* to be able to do at the end of your course (e.g. before you specialise), and see whether that would work out - and also whether it's the same all over the US (for example, over here people have to be able to do CPR as medics - whereas I have to be able to "know and be able to apply appropriate moving and handling techniques" - and our standards body has said that 'be able to apply' can be covered by moving and handling by proxy (i.e. telling someone what to do)). It's odd, as at least for me, if I became disabled after qualification, I'd only have to meet the standards for the area I was working in.

You say your fine motor skills are fine, which is great - now you need to think about what positions you'll be able to put your body into to use them (as 'correct posture' is important so that you don't cause yourself damage) - does free-standing affect your fine motor skills for example?

You also need to think about how you're going to stop random students/professionals/clinicians making inaccurate assumptions about you (or at least how to change them quickly) - in clinical situations there's not much time to do that. Also picking your battles in that respect.

As far as being treated by a wheelchair user goes, most of the patients/clients I've met don't have too much of a problem with it - a fair few come out with inappropriate comments, but that's another skill to learn (e.g. redirecting the interview back onto them/ignoring how you feel about the whole brave/etc. bit and redirecting away from that).

Is there any national guidance on becoming a medic with a disability in the US? (as we have guidance due to our equivalent of the ADA covering post-16 education, training and qualifications - which has to be balanced against the whole 'fitness to practice' bit).

Those are some of the things I'd think about in your position (I wouldn't have the stamina/constant fine motor to become a medic, so I've never considered it).

Good luck thinking!
Swift

PS http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2005/11/08/medical is talking about the same sort of issue, pretty much.

PPS http://www.physiatry.org/education/R...0student%22%22 has references which are a bit old, but seem to imply that there are standards.