College Meeting
 

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to update you all on the college meeting that I had today.

As some of you already know, I will be starting a course from September in Society, Health and Development at College. I applied for the course earlier this year and it was a nightmare trying to get them to accept me because of my RSD but eventually they did thankfully!

My mum and I had a meeting today to discuss placement options for me. Whilst I am on the course, I will have to do 50 days of placements in 4different sectors, those being health, society, child development and criminal justice.

The tutors wanted to meet up with us to discuss how I would cope with the placements and what risks we thought could be involved. I think they wanted a better understanding of RSD and wanted to try and minimise any risks, which was good!

As my mum and I told them, it's really hard to determine how I will be in the future; I could go into remission or I could get worse - it's just one of those things that no one knows unfortunately which makes it hard to make any decisions. They wanted to make sure they had a general idea of what to do if I went into a flare whilst I was on the course though and what we could do to minimise any risks.

We told them that theres nothing we can really do about my RSD unfortunately but that they should know that I sometimes have to take meds, can miss school, any knocks and falls can make my RSD flare up etc etc. They were pretty understanding and weren't judgemental which I thought was really good!

Thankfully, it looks like i'll be able to do all of the placements I want to do as long as the employees know about my RSD and what to do etc. None of the placements involve that much walking and becuase of our age, they aren't allowed to let us lift and handle any placements so hopefully, I should be able to cope OK. One of the placements that they can't get me on unfortunately is working with people with behaivoral issues as they can be known to lash out and none of them are willing to take that risk as it could seriously harm me which I guess makes sense.

I will start the course on the 9th September and my first placement will be in the end of Novemeber. My first placement will be in a nursing / residental home working with old people. I'll have to keep them company, bring their foods and water, help them clean up etc. I'm really interested in doing Psychology also so the tutors are trying to get me a psychology placement - i'm hoping that will come off as it will be really good :) !!

I'm REALLY excited about starting college now! I know it will be hard work but it's something I want to do and hopefully it will be worth it! We were also told today at the meeting that if I felt I couldn't cope with the placements, that was OK and i'd just have to tell them and they'd try and help me so thats good.

I just wish that my school would start understanding now. They are being really awkward saying that I have to go to school to do science and citizenship lessons otherwise I will fail all of my classes so from September, i'll have to go back for those lessons which i'm really not looking forward to! None of my so-called 'friends' have been in touch for 2 years and when they do, they often make rude comments about my RSD. Everytime I have tried going back, I have ended up in some kind of flare as my body cannot cope with the walking and extra stress that is involved. I just wish that I could stay at the school centre full time - i'll still be going but it wont be the same. All of my friends are really understanding there so thats great - I guess it's easier for them to understand as they all have some kind of problems.

My mums currently trying to get me onto an online Science course. It would cost a lot of money but would probably be better than having to deal with some of the additional stresses of school.

I hope you're all doing well and i'll keep you posted!:hug:

Alison

Alison,

I am very happy to hear that things went well today. Remember to take things one day at a time. Keep your head held high and know how wonderful you are... I am praying for you.



Sandy

Alison
Im glad to hear that God has blessed you and enabled you to pursue you studies,,,its really a challenge when we have to learn a trade with an affliction to deal with,,but God is with you and will give you what you need to suceede when you rely on him,,,,,praise his name,,,,proverbs 3:5-6,,,,trust in him and consult in him with everything,,you will suceede

Dear Ali,
I can sense the excitement and enthusiam in your post about your placements!!!! I am so happy for you, and your perseverance is inspiring.

Please take in stride the rude remarks you receive from your friends who haven't developed the depth of compassion and wisdom that you have.
Keep remembering what an extraordinary young woman you are and the love and support that surrounds you.
Your enthusiasm will carry you, and your brilliance will shine!!

It's great that the tutors are willing to understand your circumstances..
Hopefully they will be able to understand the concept of one day at a time, and be able to flow with you as the 50 days of placements unfold!!

I hope you are able to take the science class on-line as that sound like an ideal situation!

Some words I want to share with you by a poet named Goethe!!
...."Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it.."

I am sharing in your happiness and excitement!
Hope4thebest:hug:

I am really proud of you for yur honesty,hard work,and determination. I am sorry about the mean kids at the school. I can relate as I have lost many people due to my conditions. I know how lonely and out of place this makes one feel. Like I said I try to focus on the supportive people and I hope you can do the same. A true "friend" is there through good and bad times. I know you will do great at what ever you do because you are such a hard worker with an amazing outlook.

Hi
 

Hey Ali- its great to hear that you are moving along with your life despite RSD. Wishing you lots of luck and big hugs- Keep us posted!

Love,
Debbie

Dear Ali,

You are a very strong young woman and you will give this endeavor your best. Stay positive and remember, you have a large following of friends and family, that back you 100%.
:grouphug:

Hi Ali

That is wonderful news.:circlelove: Take it easy though...you know your body. You really are an inspiration to so many suffering with RSD.

If there was a face for RSD......I would for vote you to be that person..:yahoo:

On-line Study
 

Here is the States, on-line study is becoming quite common, and it is really not that expensive, compared to on-campus study. There are some that ate shams, of course, but many have good programs and instructors that are very attentive and helpful.

I hope you can find something that is affordable, as that could be a great way to get caught up on some subjects that you may have missed due to health.

Congratulations with the placements you will be starting. Sounds interesting!

Mike

Thank you all SO much for your kind words and support - I really appreciate it and it really helps me keep on going when i'm feeling down! I'm not sure what i'd do without you guys - it's so nice to have someone to talk to who can totally understand what I am going through!!:hug:

I'm really excited about starting college in September - I just hope that my RSD wont stop me from participating in any of the things I have to do in order to pass the course! I've been told that it's going to be really hard work but it's something I want to do so hopefully, it will be worth it!! It's SO hard trying to not let RSD win but it's ruled enough of my life and my doctor has basically told me that I will have this for life unfortunately so i'm going to have to try and get on with things, even if it's going to be hard.

The course seems to be really good. If you pass, at the end of it you will get a diploma in Society, Health and Development which is equivelent to 7 GCSEs (not sure if thats what they are called in the US but they are realy big awards that most employees look for when you go for a job interview). As well as the diploma, you also get other awards in safety, hygeine, food preperation, communication etc so it's a really good award to have!! At the end of the course, if I pass, i'll either have the oppertunity to go onto college and do the level 2 exam or get a job straight away. I think i'd probably go onto college if I could cope with it as you get a better job that way.

Mike - My mums currently looking into the online teaching option for me so that I could do my science and citizenship online. The problem is that it would cost a lot of money and my school is being really awkward saying that I have to go back to do all of the praticals etc so it's a no win situation!! I've spent many nights lately crying about going back to school because of how people are towards me. I was sat in the car the other day with my mum and 2 girls from my school shouted something rude about my ilness - they were supposed to be my friends but the minute I fell ill, they disappeared!! I just wish I could stay at the school centre as my friends are great there and dont judge me cos of my RSD! I think we will probably go down the online teaching bit for those 2 lessons as long as we can find somewhere that would be happy to take me on.

Thanks again everyone and i'll definitiely keep you posted as to how my first placement and how the course goes once I start it in September!:hug:

Ali the girls who are mean and shout to you have you approached them and told them how it hurts you? I am not saying to do this or not. At your age things are different then at mine but really I do feel in general that when people feel they can walk on you and be mean some will.I often feel judged too by people but am trying to just focus on that I am doing the best I can with the situation. I hope you see how well you are doing as well.
I know you are out of the US but do they work with finance options based on your families income etc in school? Hang in there and I am so excited for yu

Way to go Ali! It is so great and refreshing to see such determination. I hope that your story keeps me motivated to continue my classes as well. I re-start classes Aug. 24, I know I can make it, b/c I just finished my economics class last week, and the whole time I was "fighting" with my leg. It was hard, but when I found out that I not only got an A in the course, but I aced my final as well....:cool: puts a little smirk on my face kinda like "see...i KNEW i could do it!" Hope all goes well for you, and as many of the others have said, those "friends" of yours at school who make the rude comments, they ain't your friends. Your true friends are always around and will never laugh at you...though they always laugh with you.:D

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I am so proud of you for continuing to pursue your dream, Ali..don't give up!
:hug:
Dew

Thanks guys for your kind words - I truly appreciate them!:hug: It's SO hard not to let RSD affect my life but my doctors basically told me that unless theres a cure sometime soon (which I hope and pray all the time for!), I will have this for life unfortunately so i've got to try and get on with things as much as possible. It is REALLY hard to hear those words but I do understand what he means. I don't think i'll ever fully accept that i'll probably have RSD forever but I know I can't do anything about it and that i've got to try and live my life somehow. I know that i'm going to have limitations with the college course but the tutors seem to be really nice and understanding so hopefully that should help! The only thing that kinda worries me is that they made it clear that we can't have time off for hospital appointments - not sure how that will work because of my RSD but guess it's something we will have to try and sort out! Most of the other kids on the course are really nice and friendly so that helps. I think it's easier as they all have an interest in health as that is why they are on the course.

I'm still stressing out about going back to school for the few lessons that I have to go back. It's such an hard decision to make as to whether to go back - if I don't go, I risk failing some lessons and if I do, I risk making my health worse. I wish my teachers would understand how upset and stressed i've been about going back but they don't. I was on Facebook the other day and one of my old 'friends' asked if she knew who I was! That REALLY hurt me! Me and her used to be really close, spent lunch together, had most lessons together and the same friends etc and now she doesn't even remembe me!! I guess i've learnt who my true friends are now that I have RSD and I don't think any of the kids at my old mainstream school were ever my true friends. The kids at the school centre are great and have been in touch with me all the time they knew I haven't been well but the kids from my other school, haven't been in touch. I think they just used me for what they could get as I used to take them to the movies, we went to see the Pussycat Dolls for my 11th Birthday etc. I try and ignore them the best I can but it's still really hard at times.

My mums still looking into the online teaching. They do Science classes online but they cost about $250 which is quite a lot of money. I'd have to do my Citizenship class online also as I need that for the course. Were off school until the beginning of September now but my mums going to email them and tell them how stressed I have been and see if they can do anything to help.

It's under a month now til I start college which is kinda scary but exciting at the same time! I know it's going to be a lot of hard work but hopefully it will be worth it :) !

Thanks again everyone for your support and i'll keep you posted when I can!

Hi. I am hoping for you,myself and others that the rsd may be part of our lives but to a functioning level where there are much better days or even remission. We have to hold to hope though it is hard. I am in a flare so I am trying to self talk this. Even people without health condition starting school creates anxiety and fears. So with what you face with the rsd and the change with school it really is a bag of mixed emotions and stress. Hopefully your doctors will be able to work with you on apts. That is really tuff of the school cause even common things happen to people and they need to miss. I'm glad that the kids seem nice. I am hoping you will meet someone close people cause that will be a lifter in itself. Really I have no explanation for people as like I told you I have experienced the same with friends or so called ones. Try to take 1 day at a time. You can only do so much and to me you are doing amazing

Hi Ali,
The "friendships" at the mainstream school where the kids 'claimed' to be your friends, will be replaced by deeper, more meaningful friendships with the kids that are in the same program as you, pursuing health education..I m sure things will work out with your doctor visits as the need arises..
You are bringing to you classes and placements a big heart and so much empathy and understanding for the people you will be helping!!
you are an inspiration and a blessing and we are here to always listen to how you are faring :hug:

It *is* hard to accept and to see people react to you differently than they used to, I think we all can relate. All the ones that will no longer give you the time of day, well: good riddance. It hurts, yes, but you'll have to do without them and you know what, you can do without them. They'll only give you a hard time for not being able to keep up or do what they do. It's not there that you'll get your support, that's for sure. Stick with the people that stand by you no matter what, who aren't ashamed to be seen with you, who think you're just as good a person as someone without a disability. You deserve people like that, people who make you feel part of something rather than make you feel excluded.

It's going to be different than high school, I can tell you that much. It's like all the bad apples have been weeded out and it's a much more grown up atmosphere... well, it was in my case.

I hope college will be a great experience for you.

I agree with Marleen, and the new, adult atmosphere of education that you are about to experience starting in September.

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One day at a time: staying rested, taking meds on time, going to bed at a descent hour...having fun with your new friends, enjoying the knowledge that will open your eyes to new thoughts, and increasing your critical thinking skills. All very exciting.:D

Thanks everyone for your help and support! I'm trying to forget about my old 'friends' as I know they aren't true friends seeing as they haven't been with me through the rough as well as the bad times though it is hard. I now know that I don't need them to cause more stress in my life ... I have enough already with the RSD and everything else. Like the quote say "The only people you need in your lives are the ones that prove you are needed in theirs" - guess I need to start realising that more!!

My mum and I had a lengthly discussion today about what I will be doing from September etc and we have both decided that it would be better for me if I could do Science and Citizenship at home. My mum is going to enroll me into a science and citizenship ship course tomorrow. It will cost about £400 which is a LOT of money but hopefully, it will be worth it. The course is all online and they will send paper work and asignments out for me to do as I go along. I'll still get the full qualification that I would in school - it should just be easier and will free up more time for hospital appointments etc.

We go back to school on the 9th September so my mums going to write a letter to my school telling them what we are going to do. Hopefully they will be understanding. They haven't supported me through any of this so I think we don't have any other choice. At least at the school centre, the teachers and other kids are understanding about my ilness and don't judge me.

Lifes going to be crazy from September but hopefully, with the help of my tutors and doctor, we will be able to come up with a plan that will work and i'll be able to get through all of the course :) ! My first placement will be in November and will last 10 days. I'll be working in a nursing home with old people so i'm looking forward to that as it should be interesting!

Tomorrow would have been my grandads Birthday so I think it's going to be a pretty tough day. He passed away last November after an heart attack and I miss him a LOT! They say it gets easier within time but I don't think it does ... I still spend many days crying about not being able to see him and say our final goodbye etc. My nanan and I are going away next week to a caravan that we have - we were going to go this week but it would have been too stressful for us probably. It's SO hard knowing that i'll not be able to see my grandad this year on his Birthday.

Thanks again and i'll let you all know how I get on when I start in a few weeks time!:hug:

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Love you Ali,:hug:
Dew

Ali,
it's so difficult to say "goodbye" to a beloved, especially if you're not or weren't there to do it in person.

I've lost many friends, and, it seems that it just keeps on happening, with folks that I love, and don't have that final "goodbye".

Trust in God, (if you do), or a higher power, to let those beloved to you, who have passed, know how you feel about them!
And, THEY WILL!

They haven't left your life, except in a physical way.
My Mom died when I was 15, and my dad in 92.
my Sister a decade ago or so.
I still "communicate" to them!
Don't "shut them out"!

They're still there for you!
Open your self to "hearing them".
And, you'll know,
that, everyday, in everyway, they love you, as you do them!

And, you can relax and take comfort in that, sweet girl!

Cry if you need, but, also, feel their "warmth" around you!

Because they are....
with you forever....


pete

Dearest Ali,
I know how much you miss your grandfather. He was a very fortunate man to have a granddaughter like you and to receive all the love you have for him, and I am sure he loved you with great depth.

I lost my beloved sister two Novembers ago...if you go back to a recent thread titled 'full moon' you will see a post I wrote about my sister, and how we can still reach out to eachother , even though she has passed on..

Ali, you may want to light a candle on your grandfathers birthday and tell him how much you miss him and love him..the quiet glow of the candle will comfort you and the words you say will help you feel complete....

I so look forward to hearing about your placement working with the elderly, and the on-line classes you'll be taking..you're on your way, Ali !!!!

Many hugs
Hope4thebest :hug:

Thank you all SO much for your support - I really appreciate it and what you said brung tears to my eyes! It's so nice being able to talk to people who understand what i'm truly going through!:hug:

My grandads Birthday was pretty tough, I guess it's times like this where I miss him the most. I'd just give anything to be able to go to my nanans and see his face one last time and let him know how much I love him. I never got the chance to say goodbye and tell him how much I loved him when he died and thats one thing that I have always regretted.

It was my nanans Birthday the day before my grandads so we went to visit her and take her presents round. Whilst we were there, my aunty and uncle and cousion and her kids were there. We went and took some flowers out into the garden. When my grandad was alive, he said whenever he died, he wanted his ashes to be put in the garden so my nanan did and we got a rose bush that we named after him. We put the flowers next to his ashes. It was pretty upsetting but I know it is something my grandad would have wanted us to do.

Whilst we were in my nanans house on her Birthday, some of her cards kept falling down. I know it sounds strange but it was sort of though my grandad was communicating with us and letting us know that he was still looking out for us and was wishing my grandma a happy Birthday. I never believed in ghosts or spirits before my grandad died but I do now - theres been quite a few things that have happened that made me think my grandad was still with us.

I went to the movies with my friend on my grandads Birthday. I really didn't want to as I just didn't feel up to it but went as I told her i'd go. She kept asking what was wrong and I think she knew I wasn't my normal self, even though I tried to be. The upset of my grandads Birthday had caused a bit of a pain flare so I just didn't feel up to doing much. They always say that it gets easier in time but it doesn't seem to have at the moment; I still spend many hours crying about the loss of my grandad and wish every day I could just go and see him one last time.

I got my letter from college today with all of the important dates on the course. I'll be starting the course on the 9th September and on the 23rd, I will have a placement induction day in the morning. On the 13th October, my mum will have to attend a parents briefing and on the 19th, we will have a visit to a care home. In November, we will have an health and safety training day at a school near us which will last a full day and then my first 10 day placement will start on the 23rd November to the 4th December. In January, we will have a trip to an hospice and social services and in February, we will have a 2 day award in food safety. On the 29th March, we will have an 8 day placement which will run til the 1st April. In July next year, we will have another placement adn then a summer school which will last 5 days. In August, there will also be a period for us to catch up with any placements that we may miss due to ilness etc. In between all of that, i'll have to go to college on a Monday, Wednesday and Thursday AND do all of my school work on top of that so i'm going to be extremely busy!!

My mums managed to find a Science course that I can do online that she's going to get me enrolled onto and her boss has said that I can do a Citizenship qualification at her work (my mum works for the youth service). I don't think the school will be right happy with us doing that but it will be better for me as it will be less stress and i'll get more free time to rest and for hospital appts etc.

I'm hoping that i'll be able to cope with the course OK. I really want to prove to all of the doubters that I can do something even though I have RSD and it's something I really want to do so hopefully, it will be worth it!!

Thanks again everyone for your support, it means a lot!:hug: