zakimran23
Full Member
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2023
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 7
I was extremely fortunate to be accepted to medical school this past December. As a non-traditional student, I’ve been working full-time for the past five years while taking classes and preparing my application. During that time, I neglected my health in several ways and have developed significant neck, shoulder, and leg pain.
After being accepted, I finally had enough free time to start addressing these issues and began seeing doctors. Unfortunately, after four months of physical therapy, my progress has been minimal. Over the last few years, I’ve essentially worked through the pain, but I don’t want to spend the next four years studying in constant discomfort, especially as the pain currently prevents me from doing exercise outside of my PT and going on walks.
My goal is to be operating at full capacity during medical school, or as close as possible, so I can maintain my health and perform at my best. The problem is, I’m not sure how to approach this. I have documentation from my physicians, but I’m worried the school might dismiss my concerns as exaggerated or assume I’m complaining about routine discomfort.
I’m also concerned that I might need accommodations if the pain persists. Currently, I can’t sit or stand for more than an hour at a time without needing to move, which could impact my ability to take long exams, including STEP.
Does anyone have advice on how to approach school administrators and advocate for myself in a professional and credible way?
After being accepted, I finally had enough free time to start addressing these issues and began seeing doctors. Unfortunately, after four months of physical therapy, my progress has been minimal. Over the last few years, I’ve essentially worked through the pain, but I don’t want to spend the next four years studying in constant discomfort, especially as the pain currently prevents me from doing exercise outside of my PT and going on walks.
My goal is to be operating at full capacity during medical school, or as close as possible, so I can maintain my health and perform at my best. The problem is, I’m not sure how to approach this. I have documentation from my physicians, but I’m worried the school might dismiss my concerns as exaggerated or assume I’m complaining about routine discomfort.
I’m also concerned that I might need accommodations if the pain persists. Currently, I can’t sit or stand for more than an hour at a time without needing to move, which could impact my ability to take long exams, including STEP.
Does anyone have advice on how to approach school administrators and advocate for myself in a professional and credible way?
