Done Crying Now I Am Angry

[ravenwoodglass]

Went to another class tonight. For about 5 minutes. Can you imagine this class was in a big trailer stuck behind the main building and to get to a bathroom you have to leave the building and then go either down 3 flights of stairs in another building or wait for an elevator. Yea right, I still have to have a bathroom CLOSE by as I don't have the ability to just 'hold' and dash to another building. I hate this. I hate all the doctors in this city that blew off my issues for sooooooo many years. I hate the idiots who decided that a trailer with no facilities would be fine for students. The idiots even have a wheelchair ramp but no facilities.

Please say a couple of prayers that when I go to the filled class tommorrow morning that the instructor really will let me in. The instructor tonight was really nice but I am so tired of fighting for just something close to a normal life. It just makes me feel so worthless sometimes.

[jerseyangel]

Aw Ravenwood, I'm sorry about the trailer. I know wherever I go, the first thing I do is scope out the bathroom before I can relax so I understand.

Can you use Immodium before this particular class as an extra precaution? I do this and find that it helps me mentally as well, just knowing that I have taken it somehow helps me relax and not think about it.

You are so sensible and in touch with your own body that I know you wouldn't have even attempted this if you weren't ready--it's all going to be fine....really. My thoughts and prayers are with you for sure, my friend. Worthless--I think not--I'm awed by you!

[Juliebove]

Wow! That's really bad. My daughter's school has portables with no facilities, but no stairs.

[ShayFL]

That really stinks!! My husband is a college professor and believe me, he hates the conditions he has to teach in sometimes. Pathetic!!

Does the Immodium stop the D well? Never used it. I guess you could try it and see how you react to it, so you could use it just for the class if it works.

Feeling for you. You are obviously a very strong and brave woman. Hats of to you.

[darlindeb25]

Awwww, I'm sorry. I have to join the group of bathroom watchers. I will not shop where there is no bathroom, I always have to scope the place out first...not that I have diarrhea anymore, but I just feel the need to have a facility where I can get too it, if not, then panic sets in and I need one.

I won't go to concerts because of the crowds, somedays I will not go anywhere because of the heavy traffic, and it's not that I need the bathroom, I just need the security of knowing it's there.

I hate all the doctors in this city that blew off my issues for sooooooo many years.

I totally agree!!!!

I hope you can get into the class tomorrow. Good luck!

[jerseyangel]

it's not that I need the bathroom, I just need the security of knowing it's there.

Yep

[blueeyedmanda]

Yep

Count me in on that as well, I need that piece of mind knowing that there is a toliet close by.

I am so in need of this security that we are currently searching for a home to buy and I will not by one unless it has 1.5 bathrooms. I dont need two full baths, just 2 toliets

[glutenfreewithease]

Went to another class tonight. For about 5 minutes. Can you imagine this class was in a big trailer stuck behind the main building and to get to a bathroom you have to leave the building and then go either down 3 flights of stairs in another building or wait for an elevator. Yea right, I still have to have a bathroom CLOSE by as I don't have the ability to just 'hold' and dash to another building. I hate this. I hate all the doctors in this city that blew off my issues for sooooooo many years. I hate the idiots who decided that a trailer with no facilities would be fine for students. The idiots even have a wheelchair ramp but no facilities.

Please say a couple of prayers that when I go to the filled class tommorrow morning that the instructor really will let me in. The instructor tonight was really nice but I am so tired of fighting for just something close to a normal life. It just makes me feel so worthless sometimes.

I don't know if this reply will help or not, however I hope it is an encouragement. I started back to school in 5/2006. Just 2 months after my last seizure. I was beyond terrified that I would have one during class. I was having many other symptoms still, one of them being hypoglycemic. I got the nerve up to finally start telling my professors the first day of class and what a relief that made for me. I didn't expect it to make such a big difference for me, but it did. It enabled me to sit closer to the door, which gave me comfort and peace of mind so I could concentrate on the lecture. I know this can be hard, but I would get to class early enough to ensure a good seat and I started to share with others (what I was comfortable sharing). At the time I didn't realize that it was celiac for me, so I just mentioned that I had a seizure disorder and needed to be close to the door. I actually did have an episode in class during an exam. I hadn't eaten before the morning exam and my blood sugar crashed during the test. Terrible, but thank God I had told my professor and other students around me in advance. The professor gave me my orange juice, helped me test my blood sugar with my meter. (It's next to impossible to check when your shaking like a leaf!) All without making a scene and alerting others around me. I just got up and walked outside like everyone else once they were done with their test. My health improved dramatically the longer I was gluten free and I was so glad I worked through the fear and frustration of going back to school. So, I say all that to encourage you to communicate your special needs and not be apologetic for it. You can do it and I wish you all the best! I'm so glad I did.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I wish I had something helpful to add, but am sending {{{hugs}}}!

[Jestgar]

More hugs!

Hang in there, once you get through the hard part of doing something new it'll all start to feel easier.

[Bridy]

Courage does not always roar, sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying

"I will try again tommorrow" (Mary Anne Radmacher)

I love your quote!

Tomorrow will be a better day!

[Phyllis28]

Sending Hugs. You'll get through this. I only have one suggestion (good, bad, or indifferent). You might want to consider taking an extra set of cloths with you to this class "miles" away from the nearest facilities. This might add an additional sense of security and increase your confidence, even if you never use them. This way you know you will be able to return to class.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Raven, you are such a good writer, you might consider writing this as a first-person experience for your local newspaper. Take pictures of the classroom site, and take a rough measurement of how far away the bathrooms are (take more pictures), and time how long it takes to get from one to the other.

Shame them into better planning!

I know the local Catholic K-8 school here in PA has to follow very strict guidelines for bathrooms being easily accessible, to the point where plans for a remodel had to be scrapped because the bathrooms wouldn't be on the same floor. I'm not exactly sure which law this would have broken, only that they said it would be breaking one.

Is it possible they are breaking some kind of zoning law, or handicapped-accessible law?

{{{{MORE HUGS}}}}

[purple]

I WILL be praying for you

[gfp]

I don't know if this reply will help or not, however I hope it is an encouragement. I started back to school in 5/2006. Just 2 months after my last seizure. I was beyond terrified that I would have one during class. I was having many other symptoms still, one of them being hypoglycemic. I got the nerve up to finally start telling my professors the first day of class and what a relief that made for me. I didn't expect it to make such a big difference for me, but it did. It enabled me to sit closer to the door, which gave me comfort and peace of mind so I could concentrate on the lecture. I know this can be hard, but I would get to class early enough to ensure a good seat and I started to share with others (what I was comfortable sharing). At the time I didn't realize that it was celiac for me, so I just mentioned that I had a seizure disorder and needed to be close to the door. I actually did have an episode in class during an exam. I hadn't eaten before the morning exam and my blood sugar crashed during the test. Terrible, but thank God I had told my professor and other students around me in advance. The professor gave me my orange juice, helped me test my blood sugar with my meter. (It's next to impossible to check when your shaking like a leaf!) All without making a scene and alerting others around me. I just got up and walked outside like everyone else once they were done with their test. My health improved dramatically the longer I was gluten free and I was so glad I worked through the fear and frustration of going back to school. So, I say all that to encourage you to communicate your special needs and not be apologetic for it. You can do it and I wish you all the best! I'm so glad I did.

I know its potentially embarassing but as was said on the other thread.... make it official.

You shouldn't have to put up with this but as glutenfreewithease has just said.... there are lots of things can help and the prof might turn out to be as cool as hers.

Honestly, if I was there I'd go in and do it for you.... surely someone can come in and see the Dean or perhaps there is a MD or nurse???

Going back to school is an extremely courageous thing for anyone to do.... there is absolutely no need for you to make this harder than it needs be.

As you know they are not doing this to spite you.... they are doing it from ignorance because they haven't considered the consequences. Someone has to make them aware and if you don't feel comfortable in person do it by letter or email. Get a friend or family member to come with you.. etc. etc.

You have more than enough to cope with without letting this go because you don't want to make a fuss. As Alison said, you are an eloquent writer ... but instead of the papers why not just write to the Dean or Principal? Explain, its embarrassing to talk about and ask what help they can give you.

[ravenwoodglass]

"I will not shop where there is no bathroom, I always have to scope the place out first...not that I have diarrhea anymore, but I just feel the need to have a facility where I can get too it, if not, then panic sets in and I need one.

I won't go to concerts because of the crowds, somedays I will not go anywhere because of the heavy traffic, and it's not that I need the bathroom, I just need the security of knowing it's there."

Deb, you put it perfectly. It does make me feel better that others also have chimed in that they have the same issue. Although I wish none of us had to deal with this stuff it helps to know your not alone. I was so crushed last night. You know everything is going along so smoothly and then a wrench gets thrown in the mix.

I am going to try and think postive thoughts about this morning. I wasn't the only one who was looking for a bathroom last night, hopefully noone else in that class has the same issue. When I went on line before I went to bed last night the class this morning actually showed 2 open spots on the computer but it also had one person on the wait list. So I don't know what is going on there. It is a math class for elementary school teachers so hopefully since they have an odd number in the class they will let me in. Hopefully they will have a need to work in groups and then I would even out the numbers. I wish there was a smily face with crossed fingers.

When I asked the instructor if I should go to the student with disabilities office first he said no, rather emphatically and said just to go to the class this morning. I am not going make any waves about this issue at this point but I am going to do as was suggested as take some measurements and time the elevator. I am so glad I am not under the influence any longer, if I was still on gluten I most likely would have really melted down in front of everyone or I would have lost my temper. I did hold it together till I got home yesterday though.

My instuctor in my Tuesday class spoke a bit about things sometimes being serendipidous. There is a aide position open in the student study center I would like to apply for. The night class on Wed. would have prevented me helping there. Maybe the reason why this happened is so that I can have a two day schedule and will be able to do the position enough hours to make it worth it for them to hire me. The first time I was in college in the 80's I worked as night librarian and really enjoyed it and this position is much the same. That center is only about 2 blocks from where I live so the closeness with winter coming soon is a real plus.

The instructor for tonights class gave us folders to put our names on. She wants them hanging off the front of the desks. We are to decorate them with pictures and drawing that show others something about us. Then we will explain them in front of the rest of the class tonight. One of the symbols on mine will be the gluten free symbol that we find on our foods. When I explain it I will also tell others that if I had been diagnosed as I should have been that it would not probably be there. Because it took so long and so much damage was done being celiac is much more life encompassing than it would have been if I had been diagnosed in childhood rather than 40 odd years later. We do so need to get past the idea that this genetic difference can be ignored until the symptoms are life altering. It would have made a big difference in our lives.

[gfp]

When I asked the instructor if I should go to the student with disabilities office first he said no, rather emphatically and said just to go to the class this morning. I am not going make any waves about this issue at this point but I am going to do as was suggested as take some measurements and time the elevator. I am so glad I am not under the influence any longer, if I was still on gluten I most likely would have really melted down in front of everyone or I would have lost my temper. I did hold it together till I got home yesterday though.

Did he give any reason ??? Perhaps he thinks you would cause a fuss... but that doesn't need to be the case...

I wouldn't suggest making waves but doing this in as nice a way as possible. Ask how can they help ... not demand it.

Same goes for timing the elevator etc. quite honestly that seems a bit over officious ??? rather just say proximity and availablilty is important. Also like I said you could ask for access to disabled loo's. Don't even make it a "I have a registered disability" thing just say it would help you considerably. (Bonus, all these loos are disabled access)

For years my father qualified for a disabled parking sticker he didn't need. He rarely used it unless he needed to.... as he said how could he justify putting a disabled sticker at the tennis parking while he's playing?

I think what I'm saying is you can just ask the disabilities office what they might be able to do to help. You don't need to register etc. just ask if they have helpful suggestions and such.

Colleges can be very beurocratic amd often putting them in a hard situation legally is not the best approach but be emphatic you are just looking for a little help before something critical happens.

At the end of the day your course is about what you can do academically, there shouldn't be added difficulties for you to overcome and if there are then they are not your main focus.

My advice is be nice about it but firm. Use phrases like "I hoped you would be able to help me" and "I don't really want to cause any fuss but would it be possible to"...

I think your maturity will act in your favor here. They are not dealing with some radical 25 yr old but someone who has made a conscious and brave decision to go back to school. I think anyone has to respect that!

[ravenwoodglass]

Did he give any reason ??? Perhaps he thinks you would cause a fuss... but that doesn't need to be the case...

I wouldn't suggest making waves but doing this in as nice a way as possible. Ask how can they help ... not demand it.

Same goes for timing the elevator etc. quite honestly that seems a bit over officious ??? rather just say proximity and availablilty is important. Also like I said you could ask for access to disabled loo's. Don't even make it a "I have a registered disability" thing just say it would help you considerably. (Bonus, all these loos are disabled access)

For years my father qualified for a disabled parking sticker he didn't need. He rarely used it unless he needed to.... as he said how could he justify putting a disabled sticker at the tennis parking while he's playing?

I think what I'm saying is you can just ask the disabilities office what they might be able to do to help. You don't need to register etc. just ask if they have helpful suggestions and such.

Colleges can be very beurocratic amd often putting them in a hard situation legally is not the best approach but be emphatic you are just looking for a little help before something critical happens.

At the end of the day your course is about what you can do academically, there shouldn't be added difficulties for you to overcome and if there are then they are not your main focus.

My advice is be nice about it but firm. Use phrases like "I hoped you would be able to help me" and "I don't really want to cause any fuss but would it be possible to"...

I think your maturity will act in your favor here. They are not dealing with some radical 25 yr old but someone who has made a conscious and brave decision to go back to school. I think anyone has to respect that!

I think he was saying that I didn't need to go to the office mainly because, well I don't need to. If it is just a matter of showing up and saying Hi I am here I would rather not make it more of an effort than needed. He told me to tell the instructor that he sent me and that he said 'She could solve any problem'.

I will address the issue after I get more settled in with classes. I have found, as my Mother always said, 'You get more flies with honey than you do with vinegar'. I don't really know what they can do about the issue other than build another building. The numbers at the school have been increasing greatly and they hopefully will expand more soon. I am curious about the code aspect of it though. Although I would not 'report' them I do think that there is most likely a distance reg for the proximity to a rest room. Heck this state regulates everything else. I know I am not the only one there that got stressed out by this issue. As I went out into the hall to wait for the instructor I heard a girl comment that she really hated having classes in the trailers also and quite a few chimed in. I do also realize that there are financial concerns with anything now a days but they just spent a fortune redoing an area where they have concerts. It's great they now have a venue for bringing in thousands of folks to hear a band but in my mind the money would have been better spent adding to the class building instead.

[gfp]

LOL, that's almost funny....

When doing my masters the science library was all relegated to trailers. They were awful in the summer and awful in the winter.... the power was forever going off and the photocopiers seemed to be so old you had to go over the papers in ink after copying....

The arts library (which contained millions of

[darlindeb25]

I will not by one unless it has 1.5 bathrooms. I dont need two full baths, just 2 toliets

Oh yeah, me too. I can't imagine having a home with only one bathroom and more than one person. I used to say I wouldn't buy a home without lilac bushes, now I just want 2 potties!!!!

Ravenwoodglass, I think you will do fine!!! We are all supporting you!

[ravenwoodglass]

I am so in need of this security that we are currently searching for a home to buy and I will not by one unless it has 1.5 bathrooms. I dont need two full baths, just 2 toliets

I did get a house with only one, upstairs, duh. As soon as we could we hid a toilet beside the washer in the laundry room. Anyone over 120 lbs and 5'5" wouldn't even be able to get to it. But for little old me it works great. If my ex ever sells the house it will most likely get some really strange looks from the folks who view the house.