[medicalfox]

I was a full time college student for two year and I miserably failed my courses. I was hospitalized three times during those failing years, but this year I passed my classes as a part time student. I earned excellent grades even though I went into psychosis and stopped doing school work for awhile. The profs knew my conditions and they made accommodations for me thankfully.

I am interested in a competitive medical program at my college, but I'm not sure if I can handle so many classes at once. I also would have to work since I need to support myself, but there's no way I could be a full time college student and work at night. I can't work during the day since my socializing skills aren't perfect and my speech isn't perfect either, the stress of working during the day will make me manic and make me have panic attacks.

Could I go on disability when I'm in college and can disability support me? I know nothing on disability so any experience about it please feel free to share. Has anyone been a full time college student and complete their degree? How did you manage a full course load?

[BlueInanna]

I wish I knew more about disability & college. It must be possible, I was just discussing this with my daughter who also has bp, she wants to take classes but has such social anxiety.

You have proof from the success at part time classes that it is do-able for you. And proof from what happened with full time classes that you need assistance. I think there must be a way. Wishing you the best solution

[medicalfox]

Hey Bluelnanna, talk to your daughter about taking classes online. I took most of my classes online and it's great! I have social anxiety as well and I excelled in these classes ( all A's) Online classes are well structured and aren't very stressful. The only socializing I had to do is basically what I'm doing right now, posting on a forum.

[A Red Panda]

I don't know anything at all about disability, so I can't respond to that.

But have you looked at work-study options at your school? Some of the jobs available on campus would be a lot lower-stress than most jobs, and they work around your schedule. I had a sweet job where I worked at the psychology computer lab (ha!) and it was a pretty low-key spot. I actually got a lot of coursework done when I was finished with my tasks and if no one needed my help.

It's worth looking into - especially if you already work with your school's diability centre.

[Speed3]

I am on disability and have been for a while. I get reviewed on a regular basis to get continued benefits.

One of the things they ask is if you have been attending school.
They feel if you are well enough to attend school then you are well enough to work, so you would loss your disability.

But I am sure there are other ways you could obtaining funding while going to school. Our local Community College has great resources in areas like this. If you have a Community College in your area maybe you could contact them for advice.

Best of luck to you

[medicalfox]

Hey A Red Panda, I take night classes and online classes since I sleep during the day. I work strictly at nights since I can't handle jobs during the day. I have autism so my socializing, multitasking, and quick thinking skills aren't so great.

Speed3, that makes sense and thanks for the advice.

[medicalfox]

I'm just scared about this since I'm not sure if I can do it. I have the intelligence to get great grades, but I go into mania/psychosis every winter into mid spring. The reason why I didn't fail this year is because my significant other took care of me and made sure I did all my homework and made sure I continued to go to class. I couldn't have done it with out their support and I'm terrified of being a failure in their eyes. My significant other doesn't want me to be hospitalized ever again, but I'm afraid that might happen and if that happens I will lose them like my previous relationships. I should had been hospitalized this year, but they literally took care of me from giving me showers to helping me eat.

I wish bipolar could just go away or be less severe; I wouldn't mind feeling sad or overly happy every now and then.

I swear I replied to this thread before I left the house. Oh well.

Yup Medical. I was dx'd while I was in college. Of course me being me, I finished a 5 yr program in 3. But I nearly killed myself in the process. I think I was hypo/manic the whole time I was in school. That last semester was the roughest for me. It felt like y head was going to explode. Just so full of stuff going on, so much noise.

Knowing what I know now, I think I wouldn't try to push myself as much. I was taking 18 hours a semester, and working 2 jobs, and had a family. That's was just way to much. Just take it easy.

Medical, I'm glad that you have support. That really does make a difference. I knew a few people that had learning disabilities when I was in school. They did make pretty good accommodations for them.

Good Luck My Friend

[Speed3]

There is a website that might be helpful for you

Works For Me

It is a free resource that helps people with disabilities who want to work. They mention training which I guess could be college, obtaining health coverage while training,ect.

In the state I live in there is a program that once you are on disability will work with you to obtain training for a job that suits you. I looked into it. The only drawback is once you involve them the clock starts ticking to the time you will be totally off disability.

For me it wasn't a fit because my illness is to unstable and I was afraid of losing the decent disability I already have. But I am 57, if I were a lot younger I might have looked into it more.

I commend you for going to school and working. I miss my career so much it gave me purpose in my life. I sometimes regret not trying harder to stay in my profession.

Not having purpose contributes to my depression. I need to find a good voluntary job at this point in my life.

But again do what ever it takes to get education and a job you like. You are awesome !!

[wotchermuggle]

Originally Posted by Speed3

I am on disability and have been for a while. I get reviewed on a regular basis to get continued benefits.

One of the things they ask is if you have been attending school.
They feel if you are well enough to attend school then you are well enough to work, so you would loss your disability.

It is the same thing here where I live. Disability is to support you when you can't work, but work and school are classified as the same thing.

Just like how you can't get unemployment if you leave your job to go to school, you can't get disability if you're in school.

[krisakira]

I am on disability (SSI) and I go to college full time. It has never been a problem for me. Hell I don't even know if they know I'm attending school. They have never asked and I started going to school after I got disability.

[Speed3]

Originally Posted by krisakira

I am on disability (SSI) and I go to college full time. It has never been a problem for me. Hell I don't even know if they know I'm attending school. They have never asked and I started going to school after I got disability.

Becareful, if they do review you and find out you are attending school, you may have to pay back all the disability you received while attending school.

This happened to a friend of mine. They took her to court and she lost her disability and had to pay back a large sum.

I receive private disability that reviews me every 2 years. I have been on SSI also for 18 years. They never reviewed me until this year. Because of changes going on in the government I would not be surprised if you get paperwork in the mail to review your disability this year or next.

[medicalfox]

Having a program that would help me financially in college would be amazing. I know there are scholarships that could help with that (ability to buy food, pay for meds, and therapy, etc), but it is not guaranteed that I would get one. I always apply for scholarships and I will apply to more that are directly from my school since I feel that I would have a greater chance at receiving one.

Is there some kind of loan that could help me pay for daily expenses or something that would help a person with disabilities going to college? My parents won't help me since I'm shunned for having my disabilities because no one else in my family has them

[Otter63]

I would talk to someone at the financial aid office at the school. They should also have someone in the disabilities dept. who could help you figure it out.

You can get a loan to cover living expenses, but if you are under 25, I think it is, you're parents income will be considered whether you are connected to them at all or not. If you're parent's income is high you likely won't qualify for any grants (free money).

[medicalfox]

Thank you everyone for all your answers, it has helped me out so much

That's a shame since my family doesn't want to help me. I can ask the disability department and see what they have to say about the situation.