handicapped students please help!

[stmu11]

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I was wondering if anyone is handicapped or knows someone who is handicapped that is either in optometry school or has completed the program. I am a handicapped student and I want to know more about the different programs from the perspective of another handicapped person. One of the main things that I am interested in is the accessibility of the campus. While I am sure that all of the programs have "handicap accessible" buildings, many times buildings are still difficult to get around in.

Also, if anyone feels that their program is especially accommodating towards students with disabilities please let me know.

I know that my handicap will not keep me from becoming an optometrist because I refuse to let it do that. However, I do think that knowing this would be incredibly helpful.

 

[smsc2009]

I was wondering if anyone is handicapped or knows someone who is handicapped that is either in optometry school or has completed the program. I am a handicapped student and I want to know more about the different programs from the perspective of another handicapped person. One of the main things that I am interested in is the accessibility of the campus. While I am sure that all of the programs have "handicap accessible" buildings, many times buildings are still difficult to get around in.

Also, if anyone feels that their program is especially accommodating towards students with disabilities please let me know.

I know that my handicap will not keep me from becoming an optometrist because I refuse to let it do that. However, I do think that knowing this would be incredibly helpful.

Hi,
Do not worry about your disability, as long as you have the numbers you will be able to gain admittance to an optometry school. You do not have to disclose your disability and if you do they are required to make accommodations for you, if you require them. I am not planning on going into optometry, I'm premed but I do have a minor physical disability. I walk with leg braces so my mobility is limited. Just focus on doing well in your classes, do not put added stress on yourself over worrying about something like this, good luck.

 

[KHE]

Hi,
You do not have to disclose your disability and if you do they are required to make accommodations for you, if you require them. I am not planning on going into optometry, I'm premed but I do have a minor physical disability.

Be careful with that line of reasoning. A school may have to make REASONABLE accommodations, not ANY accommodations.

For example, if someone requires that a school spend $250000 to remodel an exam room and engineer custom equipment so that a student in an oversized wheelchair can become an OD, that's not likely to be looked upon as "reasonable."

 

[smsc2009]

Be careful with that line of reasoning. A school may have to make REASONABLE accommodations, not ANY accommodations.

For example, if someone requires that a school spend $250000 to remodel an exam room and engineer custom equipment so that a student in an oversized wheelchair can become an OD, that's not likely to be looked upon as "reasonable."

Are there no practicing OD's that are confined to wheelchairs? I've heard of numerous MD's and other healthcare professionals who are confined to wheelchairs. The school doesn't want to reject you because you are confined to a wheelchair, if you have the numbers. I don't think his wheelchair will be a problem, if it is too big for the room there are always adjustments that can be made to the wheelchair to accommodate the OP.

 

[KHE]

Are there no practicing OD's that are confined to wheelchairs? I've heard of numerous MD's and other healthcare professionals who are confined to wheelchairs. The school doesn't want to reject you because you are confined to a wheelchair, if you have the numbers. I don't think his wheelchair will be a problem, if it is too big for the room there are always adjustments that can be made to the wheelchair to accommodate the OP.

I have no idea what the OP's disability is. I simply used "wheelchair" as an example because it's probably one of the most common ones. I think that the use of a wheelchair while trying to conduct an eye exam would be particularly cumbersome for a doctor but hey, who knows.

 

[smsc2009]

I have no idea what the OP's disability is. I simply used "wheelchair" as an example because it's probably one of the most common ones. I think that the use of a wheelchair while trying to conduct an eye exam would be particularly cumbersome for a doctor but hey, who knows.

Whenever I have an eye exam, my doctor is sitting throughout the entire appointment. Who cares whether it's a standard chair or a wheelchair. As long as he has full use of his hands and has the numbers he should be fine if his goal is to be an OD, don't you agree with that as a practicing optometrist?

 

[KHE]

Whenever I have an eye exam, my doctor is sitting throughout the entire appointment. Who cares whether it's a standard chair or a wheelchair. As long as he has full use of his hands and has the numbers he should be fine if his goal is to be an OD, don't you agree with that as a practicing optometrist?

I don't know. There are some procedures done standing up but I think the issue is mostly going from the equipment to the counter top to the drawers etc. etc. quickly and easily all in a fairly confined space.

However I think it's unwise to speculate on that because the OP never specified his disability.

 

[smsc2009]

Oh ya, I forgot, you've had every optometric procedure done yourself as well then to know?

What about my other comment? How come you didn't quote that? Do you really think there isn't one practicing optometrist in the US who is confined to a wheelchair? Maybe not, I guess there are only MD's, no way there's an OD right?

 

[smsc2009]

I can't say I know of any. Although if there was, I'm guessing their disability came after they were already an OD.

So there are people who are confined to wheelchairs who go through medical school, residency and fellowship training but you don't think there has ever been anyone who has successfully completed optometry school? You can read documented cases of blind physicians who have successfully been licensed. It's very disappointing to me that that is your true belief as a future optometrist.

OP, I really don't think you will have a problem. Like I said, I don't plan on going into Optometry and it actually it is very disappointing to see multiple people doubt your ability. I really can't see it interfering with practice as long as you have full control of your hands. Accommodations can be made in school to your wheelchair if it is too big and once you start your own practice you will have full control over anything you may need. Talk to your doctor too and get his opinion. Like I said, I have a disability that limits my mobility and I walk with leg braces. I always questioned whether it would be looked down upon so one day I had a conversation with him about his feelings and he only encouraged me, telling me that he was surprised that thought ever entered my mind. I know your disability is different but as long as you have the numbers, I couldn't see a disability being an absolute deal breaker, especially after reading about physicians who are paralyzed. If you've gotten this far and have made the grades and scores to get into optometry school, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to succeed. goodluck!

 

[pre-opt]

I don't know if this would help you or not, but I do know that UMSL has a 4th year optometry student in a wheelchair. I don't know him personally, but if you contacted Dr Barbara Brown at UMSL College of Optometry, she could probably get his email for you if he would be willing to talk to you.

I would imagine that most schools are handicap accessible as far as classes, but I can't imagine performing some of the procedures in a chair.

 

[stmu11]

It is a collagen disorder called Ehlers-danlos. It causes my ligaments and tendons to stretch out allowing my joints to fall out of place. The limitations that I have as a result of this range from wearing a small brace to using forearm crutches to being in a wheelchair. Because different joints fall out of place at different times, there is really no telling what my disabilities will be on any given day. However, having had this disorder for several years I am able to adapt to it very easily. There are even days when I do not need any type of orthotics. For this reason I do not have a large personalized motor wheelchair, but rather a lightweight manual wheelchair that will fit into almost anywhere that a traditional rolling desk chair would. This disorder primarily affects my legs so I do not see it creating too much of a problem with performing procedures. I am more concerned with the actual layouts of campuses. Like how many stairs are there, are the handicapped ramps and elevators out of the way or convenient, etc.

I am planning on visiting all of the schools that i am interested in within the next year to see for my self but I was wondering if anyone could give me a heads up on what the different campuses are like. I realize though that some of the things I am wanting to know go unnoticed by people unless they are actually in a situation where they would need to use services such as ramps and elevators.

Thank you for letting me know about the wheelchair bound student who is in their fourth year. That is really helpful.

 

[KHE]

It is a collagen disorder called Ehlers-danlos. It causes my ligaments and tendons to stretch out allowing my joints to fall out of place. The limitations that I have as a result of this range from wearing a small brace to using forearm crutches to being in a wheelchair. Because different joints fall out of place at different times, there is really no telling what my disabilities will be on any given day. However, having had this disorder for several years I am able to adapt to it very easily. There are even days when I do not need any type of orthotics. For this reason I do not have a large personalized motor wheelchair, but rather a lightweight manual wheelchair that will fit into almost anywhere that a traditional rolling desk chair would. This disorder primarily affects my legs so I do not see it creating too much of a problem with performing procedures. I am more concerned with the actual layouts of campuses. Like how many stairs are there, are the handicapped ramps and elevators out of the way or convenient, etc.

I am planning on visiting all of the schools that i am interested in within the next year to see for my self but I was wondering if anyone could give me a heads up on what the different campuses are like. I realize though that some of the things I am wanting to know go unnoticed by people unless they are actually in a situation where they would need to use services such as ramps and elevators.

Thank you for letting me know about the wheelchair bound student who is in their fourth year. That is really helpful.

If you have Ehlers-Danlos, you should little or no problems practicing as an OD.

 

[KHE]

So there are people who are confined to wheelchairs who go through medical school, residency and fellowship training but you don't think there has ever been anyone who has successfully completed optometry school? You can read documented cases of blind physicians who have successfully been licensed. It's very disappointing to me that that is your true belief as a future optometrist.

OP, I really don't think you will have a problem. Like I said, I don't plan on going into Optometry and it actually it is very disappointing to see multiple people doubt your ability. I really can't see it interfering with practice as long as you have full control of your hands. Accommodations can be made in school to your wheelchair if it is too big and once you start your own practice you will have full control over anything you may need. Talk to your doctor too and get his opinion. Like I said, I have a disability that limits my mobility and I walk with leg braces. I always questioned whether it would be looked down upon so one day I had a conversation with him about his feelings and he only encouraged me, telling me that he was surprised that thought ever entered my mind. I know your disability is different but as long as you have the numbers, I couldn't see a disability being an absolute deal breaker, especially after reading about physicians who are paralyzed. If you've gotten this far and have made the grades and scores to get into optometry school, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to succeed. goodluck!

As people who are actually working in the field, we understand the limitations that could arise by trying to do this type of work in a wheelchair. Optometry often involves small rooms, or small spaces. For example, trying to do ophthalmoscopy on someone almost always requires that you stand up and often times try to maneuver yourself in between the exam chair and the rest of the equipment.

Doing an eye exam also usually requires the doctor to "scoot" a couple of feet in either direction many times during an exam in a short amount of time. A person in a motorized wheelchair, (or even NON motorized) would almost surely find this cumbersome and time consuming. That's not to say that it couldn't be done but one has to be aware of the potential issues.

In any event, the person said that their disability is Ehrlers-Danlos which should have minimal if any impact.