Hi everyone,

Just thought i'd drop you a line to let you know the latest in the saga of my college course.

We expected a decision today but as we'd heard nothing, mum phoned my school to ask what was happening. Last night they recieved a series of questions from the course providers asking the schools opinion on how they feel I will cope with the 50 days of placements I have to do over the next 2 years. It is felt that the placements may be too much for me to handle at the moment and it was causing a concern as to whether or not I would be accepted onto the course.

I thought we'd already got this straightened out when I went on the selection interview. I've already explained to them that I don't have a crystal ball and I cannot tell how things will pan out for me in the future but that I am commited enough to the course to work around any problems I might encounter to make sure I get the qualification that will act as a stepping stone to my future carer.

The school were going to report that i've had considerable breaks in attendence due to flares and PT appts even though mum pointed out that these breaks were down to the school not being wheelchair friendly and later on me having to attend the 5 weeks PT in London.

Mum also pointed out that the disability discrimination act here in the UK states that I have to have the same oppertunities as other young people who have expressed an interest in the course and that the placements have to be found regardless of the persons ability.

The course providers rang mum back this afternoon to state that academically theres no problem with being accepted onto the course but when they'd run my situation by the employees who provide the placements, all but one of them refused to accept me for health and safety reasons as they said that I could pose a risk to their clients and to a lesser degree, their clients may cause a flare to happen should they become anxious or violent.

We are now stuck with having to decide whether to continue and try and find our own placements or to take the lesser qualification but as this still requires 10 days of placement, thats probably going to be a problem too.

The DDA Act here in the UK states that regardless of ability a placement must be provided for anyone wanting to do the course so it seems more like it is too much trouble for the course providers to provide companies to take me than me not being fit to complete those placements.

I think the flare to my arm really frightened them.

Another girl wanted to go on the course as the same condition as me which she didn't declare and it looks like she will be accepted with no problems. Obviously honesty is not always the best policy!!!!!

I'm just so angry about the whole situation!! I really wanted to prove that I can do something even though I have RSD but it just feels like everything I try and do just backfires on me! Hopefully we will be able to get things sorted soon and the teachers will come up with something to help me - I don't think they are that happy to be honest about me going on the course though.

We are considering taking me out of mainstream school also now and for me to just attend the special school that I go to as things are just way too stressful there and my "friends" just take off at break and leave me on my own! I've discussed it with the teachers at the school centre and they are going to try and sort something out. I've tried going back to school but don't think it is working out and is just making me even more frustrated!

Does anyone have any ideas on what to do/say about the course? I'm not sure what to do really! I really want to do it but also want to do the full placements, not just a few!

Thanks for the support!
Alison