University

[princesssuperstar2]

Hey, I was accepted onto a nursing course last September for Nursing. They knew I had epilepsy but when I had a fit when I was on placement in the hospital I was suspended, then about 2 weeks ago they asked me to leave the course. I was thinking about doing teaching, or social work instead but I've been told that the teaching health checks are similar to the nursing ones, and that I need to be able to drive if I want to do social work.
Anyone had any similar stuff happen, or even suggestions about other courses or even just careers - I'm totally stuck at the moment.

[RobinN]

Hi Princess - I am sure there are others here that will share similar experiences. It is heart wrenching that anyone has to put a halt on future plans due to a medical condition. Of all the places that you should find compassion it would be in nursing.

Here in the states, that is why the over abundance of lawyers. This type of situation is taken to court often. It is illegal to discrimiate due to a medical condition. Yet as our health care moves towards a model like yours, we might be faced with similar situations.

I wouldn't just take one opinion or heresay. I would find out what your legal rights are, and continue fighting for what you want to do.
Believe in the saying "Where there is a will, there is a way."

[skillefer]

Hi princess....honestly, I have no clue. Here in the US we have doctors with epilepsy ( my sister-in-law is one example)...and I myself am a teacher in a public school, and I have it. (And yes, I have had seizures in front of the kids before....)

[princesssuperstar2]

Thanks alot guys, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that everything in the future goes to plan. The whole experience has just made me a lot more aware of barriers though, although I think that it's also directing me into a job I will be good at - for example, I have an appointment with my specialist nurse about support for others with epilepsy

[droolmonster]

I was once kicked off of a plane in England because of a seizure and they made me call a doctor and get a note saying I was okay to fly. The doc said, "What a load of rubbish."

A plane is a terrific place to have a seizure, very safe. You're sitting down and strapped in place.

Ever since then I've disliked the British (not really).

But I'm so sorry to hear about what those nasty British people did to your dreams. Keep your chin up, and brush your teeth! Kidding.

I'm in college too, and am anxious about the future. I have no idea what you should do, but I hope you figure it out.

[princesssuperstar2]

I was told by the travel agents to take a letter from my doctor with me when checking in/boarding a plane because they sometimes refuse people with meds or certain conditions to cover their own backs insurance wise.

[Endless]

Drool monster,

Did you have a tonic clonic or absence seizure on the plane??? A tonic clonic probably really scared them, while an absence seizure might fly under the radar. (Intentional bad pun!)

[droolmonster]

I had a tonic clonic. I don't have absense seizures. I have little seizures, but they're sort of weird like temporal lobe, but not, sort of like drums in my head. If I'm talking during one I stutter like "uh uh uh".

I guess I can understand why they would be scared. But that doesn't change the fact that me and my family had to spend a whole day and night in dreary old England before flying off to Spain. No offense, but English food is the worst food in Europe. Fish and chips are pretty awesome though. Can't compete with Italian food, the shining jewel of Europe.

Like I said, a plane is a perfect place for a seizure. You're strapped in place and can't move, so you're very safe. You wake up dazed and sleepy, go to sleep, and that's the best plane ride you've ever had.

I have grand mals a lot. The longest I've been without one is two months.

And just so no English people hate me, I am a fan of certain British authors such as Philip Pullman and George Orwell. I also like Dr. Who. But my worship of George Orwell doesn't change my disgust for steak and kidney pie. Meat and organs in a pie? I'm kidding though, because I eat chopped liver, I love chicken liver.

We ate Indian food while we were there anyway. Indian food is the bomb. So aromatic, such beautiful spices. Pink meat. I want Indian food just thinking about it. I like food.