[a bland]

I have been going to Virginia college for two years now and this is my last quarter before externship. I went completely deaf April 25th and that week I went to my dean and program director and asked if it was going to be a problem with going to externship and they both said no. I'm in the medical assisting degree. Well today 2 weeks before I go to externship my teacher pulls me aside and tells me that the president said I couldn't go because I'm deaf! I'm really good at reading lips and I'm learning sign language. I'm deaf because of conversion disorder and the last time I had it it lasted 4 years! It just doesn't seem fair to me. There are deaf nurses everywhere and ur telling me I can't be a medical assistant! After spending $45,000 of my GI Bill that I worked hard for and now ur telling me I wasted it! What do y'all think I should do?

[allimsaying]

Ugh! Thats a hard one, a bland. Are they saying you cant work in the field after graduation? It sounds like others do, so whats the problem with you doing the externship? Something doesnt seem right. Do you have an advocate at school? This has to be really stressful for you. I hope you can get it worked out.

[Rohag]

This is not something to handle on your own. The VA administers the GI Bill programs, yes? You might start by meeting with a VA social worker or with a Veterans Service Officer from any of the Veterans Service Organizations.

I also wouldn't hesitate contacting organizations for the hearing-impaired and local media outlets. It is possible your Virginia college may be violating federal laws or regulations in denying you the externship.

[adam_k]

I would think that this would follow under the ADA act. Your school should make a reasonable effort to make sure you have the same privileges as any other student. It is discrimination if they do not. I would try to get an advocate from the school or someone from VA to aid you in this. This externship is part of the degree, am I correct in that? Without the hands on experience you would be at a disadvantage compared to other students.

[phaset]

Did you mean the president of the place you were going to do your externship at? Maybe you should meet with the dean that said it wouldn't be a problem and ask if there is anything that can be done? This doesn't seem fair, and possibly not legal.

(I'm not a lawyer but I play one on the internet)

[a bland]

The dean that told me it would be ok got fired for sleeping with teachers and students. The only thing that's keeping me from externing is I can't do a manual vital sign. That's it! I don't know why I just can't use the machine. The va is helping me best they can. My therapist and doc both said they would talk to the school if it was ok with me. Idk what to do. I've been to every hospital where I live asking every doc if I can do a manual blood pressure without a stethoscope. None of them know. Where's a deaf doc when u need one?

[Vossie42]

I recall seeing amplifiers for stethoscopes somewhere. Perhaps if you turned the volume all the way up on one of those, you could feel the vibrations...

[a bland]

I talked to the president today and she said she's ordering an amplified stethoscope and lookin for places that would take me without me being able to do manual blood pressures. And soon as I said I was calling JAG they stepped up!

[adam_k]

Have you thought about learning sign language and specializing in that. What I mean is, it could be useful to a hospital that can relate to someone who is deaf and can speak to them efficiently as well as knows about medicine. Hospitals can hire an interpreter, but I would think some medically relevant things could get dropped in passing message back and fourth. Having a medical assistant could be better than just having an interpreter. Just my thought.

[Vossie42]

Terrific! I'm so happy for you for being able to move forward with your life in spite of the recent deafness.

[Bark]

Glad to hear that the president is supporting you! Let us know how it works out.