DO Hopeful with Disabilities

[spiderbear]

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I'm a DO hopeful at the moment, but I'm somewhat worried about my chances. I have a 3.8 cumulative, and I'd like to think I'm a well rounded student.

Advanced laparoscopic surgery training as part of a research study, physician shadowing, physical therapist shadowing, community service, tutoring, and a double major/double minor focusing in interdisciplinary neuroscience. I'm also helping co-author a Latin textbook, and taking the max credit hours.

Problem is, I'm motivated but I'm also disabled by a pain disorder. Some days I can't even walk. It's frustrating, because when I'm here, I'm working 12-14 hours on school per day. I'm ahead of the curve, but nowhere near where I'd like to be. My science courses this semester were already difficult, and now I've been out almost a week because I came pretty dangerously close to kidney failure. I have no disability accomodations or anything, because I'm afraid to have it on my transcript. I don't want special treatment, but I also want to be able to succeed.

I'm worried about what a slump this semester might mean. I'm hovering around a B in some classes, but all it's going to take is one more catastrophy for me to fall on my face.

Do DO schools take these issues into account? I'm still entirely capable of doing the job when the time comes, the only problem for me is dealing with pain issues and medical complications. I'd like to keep my head up, but it gets pretty discouraging.

 

[rddoms]

GET DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS! I am Type 1 Diabetic, and got accommodations for the MCAT. If you have a disability, use everything you can. My interviewers said that they commended me for getting to this point in spite of my disease. Diabetes is not as disabling as your condition is, but getting accommodations isn't showing weakness.

Definitely use everything that you can, and life will get easier. My school took "these issues' into account, and most of them will likely follow suit. Go for it, I bet this won't stop you from getting in.

Have you been to a pain specialist? And I'm interested in finding out more about what's going on with you (renal failure). PM me if you get a chance.

 

[MexicanDr]

How do you get accommodations for the MCAT? A doctors note or how? Also, what type of accommodations are there? And will the actual schools know the test was taken under accommodations?

 

[ChiDO]

You can take Step 1, 2, and 3 with accommodations.

 

[rddoms]

I got a doctor's note from my doc and sent it in. They put me in a room with a proctor, and allowed me to stop the clock whenever I wanted. This was to test my BG, eat a snack if necessary, take insulin, and use the restroom (High glucose causes polyuria for those who didn't know).

It is like the record book for baseball: they put an asterisk on my score report because I had accommodations. I actually finished the MCAT before the main testing group was done, go figure.

When I interviewed, they didn't even ask me about it. It didn't come up at all, so it must mot be a big deal to them.

 

[Igor4sugry]

There was a post by a while back by someone who developed a pain disorder and was not allowed to continue into 3rd year b/c of the medication/condition of the student.

When we started 1st year we signed a contract that had a number of points on them and one of them included "having the physical ability to complete the required work, or something to that effect". I don't know how broadly that applies, and what things are not allowed/excluded.

I would ask your physician whether he would approve you to be a medical student based on your health condition. The main reason I am saying this is that you need to be 100% all the time in medschool.

 

[rddoms]

I would spend your time trying to get your disease under control. If you can do that, then it won't be an issue. You have likely tried to get treatment, but do EVERYTHING in your power to find a solution.

I have to be honest. Having the physical ability to do procedures (specifically OTM) is a requirement for osteopathic medical school. Also, medical school is very time consuming. Long hours and high stress might exacerbate your condition. How active have you been in trying to find a cure/therapy, and could you do more? Proper treatment is your best option, and will allow you to survive medical school.

Best of luck!

 

[Spooner13]

This might be slightly off topic, but I think it's something that you should definitely consider when choosing a medical school.

Some medical schools have required attendance. I would think that this would make things harder on you than they need to be because if you a in a lot of pain on a particular day, it would make it a little more bearable if you didn't have to go and sit in class for several hours.

So try to find out which medical schools would require you to be in class. I would imagine that schools with mandatory attendance would make an exception for you, but I'm not sure. Definitely check into this.

Good luck!

 

[aecuenca2]

I agree that you should request accomodations!

Just to make you feel better, my classmate was one of only 2 blind medical students in the country (we went to Western/COMP..the other was and MD, PhD student).

He is an amazing person. This guy earned an A in gross anatomy, and did the practical using landmarks and tracing structures with his hands to identify the structure. On purpose he would miss histo slide questions and do well on the rest. He took the USMLE with accomodations, and did great. We would study together and he was truly brilliant.

He is finishing up his psychiatry residency and everytime I think things are hard, I think about what he has done. Truly remarkable.

 

[oreosandsake]

i can comment more on this later, but if you or anyone you know who has a disability and needs help with getting accomodations, or having someone step up to bat for you at your medical school you need to contact the people at the center for disability health policy (located at western university) formerly known as the center for disabilities in the health professions.

http://www.cdihp.org/

 

[JaggerPlate]

OP: I really commend you for making it this far and really going the distance with a condition. The fact that you have achieved success with a disability where so many completely healthy individuals have given up speaks volumes to your character, and admissions committees will see this. Now, as far as your situation, in my opinion, it comes down to one factor -'Technical Standards for Admission.' Every school has a blurb about it on the secondary, or a page about it on their site, etc. Essentially, these are the physical requirements one needs to possess to enter medical schools. From what I understand, it is done because of your 3/4 clinical years, but I think - from what you have said - you should be okay. I would definitely mention the condition, and keep your chin up ... I really think you should be able to make it through and achieve your goals!!

 

[MSSM2013]

If pain is really bothering you, I suggest you look into schools like Ohio State that offers independent study pathway, where you really don't need to do much at all.

DO school, on the other hand, have mandatary OMM labs that can be physically demanding.