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I am feeling completely and totally overwhelmed right now. I came across this site in my research, and Im really hoping for some help.
I graduated from Berkeley in May 2005, worked for a consulting firm in San Francisco for a year when I began applying to med school to begin in fall 2007. I was a very competitive candidate (3.8, 36 mcat, clinical ex), worked very hard. In the middle of application season, a car accident left me a complete C6,7 quadriplegic. I have full arm function, weak tricep, no finger movement. As a result, I was stuck in bed and all applications were withdrawn.
The next 6 months, until July 15, 2007, I was in the hospital. Then, I went up to Johns Hopkins until Sept. So obviously, I could not apply again for fall 2008. My plan now is to apply for fall 2009. I am facing the following problems:
1) I do not meet the technical standards of any school. Most of them include the following:
Motor: Candidates should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers. A candidate should be able to do basic laboratory tests (urinalysis, CBC, etc.), carry out diagnostic procedures (proctoscopy, paracentesis, etc.), and read EKGs and x-rays. A candidate should be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Examples of emergency treatment reasonably required of physicians are cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the administration of intravenous medication, the application of pressure to stop bleeding, the opening of obstructed airways, the suturing of simple wounds, and the performance of simple obstetrical maneuvers. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
I do not meet these criteria since I lack finger movement. They could assert lack of essential function regarding the ADA, even though the physiatry specialty does not require these procedures. I know, I have shadowed a physiatrist who happens to be a quadriplegic.
2) As a result of incapacitation in the hospital, my MCAT will now be expired by 1 year. I took it in August 2005. I have heard that sometimes they will provide leniency. Catastrophic injury should be a good excuse. I just spoke with UC-Daviss director of admission he said flat out no, clarifying that weve had students that have been ill, before, sir. We didnt make exceptions, then I almost lost it on the phone. I cant take that test again, especially with no hands.
3) As a result of being hospitalized in Arizona, Georgia, and Maryland over the last year, I have no state of residency. I am still recuperating in AZ, but no AZ schools take out of state. Limitations in CA as well. I dont have the luxury of going anywhere in the US since I still need a lot of care to maintain my bowels and bladder.
3 strikes before applying. I am seriously distraught at the moment. Anyone hear of any precedence on this? Sooo much value in a physiatrist w/ spinal cord injury. Im feeling like not only did I lose movement, control of bowels/bladder, sexual function, etc, I am losing everything Ive worked for over the last 10 years. I typed this in 5 mins with a pencil strapped to my hand so apologies for clarity and for any whining, its all just sort of hitting me right now
I graduated from Berkeley in May 2005, worked for a consulting firm in San Francisco for a year when I began applying to med school to begin in fall 2007. I was a very competitive candidate (3.8, 36 mcat, clinical ex), worked very hard. In the middle of application season, a car accident left me a complete C6,7 quadriplegic. I have full arm function, weak tricep, no finger movement. As a result, I was stuck in bed and all applications were withdrawn.
The next 6 months, until July 15, 2007, I was in the hospital. Then, I went up to Johns Hopkins until Sept. So obviously, I could not apply again for fall 2008. My plan now is to apply for fall 2009. I am facing the following problems:
1) I do not meet the technical standards of any school. Most of them include the following:
Motor: Candidates should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers. A candidate should be able to do basic laboratory tests (urinalysis, CBC, etc.), carry out diagnostic procedures (proctoscopy, paracentesis, etc.), and read EKGs and x-rays. A candidate should be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Examples of emergency treatment reasonably required of physicians are cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the administration of intravenous medication, the application of pressure to stop bleeding, the opening of obstructed airways, the suturing of simple wounds, and the performance of simple obstetrical maneuvers. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
I do not meet these criteria since I lack finger movement. They could assert lack of essential function regarding the ADA, even though the physiatry specialty does not require these procedures. I know, I have shadowed a physiatrist who happens to be a quadriplegic.
2) As a result of incapacitation in the hospital, my MCAT will now be expired by 1 year. I took it in August 2005. I have heard that sometimes they will provide leniency. Catastrophic injury should be a good excuse. I just spoke with UC-Daviss director of admission he said flat out no, clarifying that weve had students that have been ill, before, sir. We didnt make exceptions, then I almost lost it on the phone. I cant take that test again, especially with no hands.
3) As a result of being hospitalized in Arizona, Georgia, and Maryland over the last year, I have no state of residency. I am still recuperating in AZ, but no AZ schools take out of state. Limitations in CA as well. I dont have the luxury of going anywhere in the US since I still need a lot of care to maintain my bowels and bladder.
3 strikes before applying. I am seriously distraught at the moment. Anyone hear of any precedence on this? Sooo much value in a physiatrist w/ spinal cord injury. Im feeling like not only did I lose movement, control of bowels/bladder, sexual function, etc, I am losing everything Ive worked for over the last 10 years. I typed this in 5 mins with a pencil strapped to my hand so apologies for clarity and for any whining, its all just sort of hitting me right now
