University with Type-1 Diabetes

[JTilley2000]

Hi,
My Name is James, i'm 21.
I was Diagnosed in November 2019 with Type-1 Diabetes and i took it really hard.

At the time i was beginning my second year at University, i had recently moved back into my parents house after a full year of unexplained illnesses, when i collapsed in a McDonalds. After i was rushed to hospital and had gotten stitched up i was told i had Diabetes and my fall was due to DKA. I became pretty depressed after that, shut myself off from my friends and family, stopped studying and basically became a hermit. I dropped out of Uni and due to Covid i was only able to see my Diabetic team a couple times before everything was locked-down. This continued for just over a year.

Recently, i was lucky enough to get onto the Dafne course, meet my secondary care team and a dietician and got prescribed the Libre 2. Since then i have had much better control of my BG levels. I have gotten closer again with my family and have decided to go back to University. However, I am worried about going back to University as i decided to live away from home for the first time since my diagnosis. I was wondering if anyone had any information, tips or experiences when it comes to moving out? Studying? and DSA (Disabled Students Allowance)?

Anything is appreciated
Thanks

 

[helli]

@JTilley2000 great to read that you are doing better.
Going to uni is going to be a big change but one that many other Type 1’s have been through.

Diabetes have some great articles, videos and tips to help. A quick search found these

University and diabetes

Starting university for most people is a massive change, for a lot of new students

www.diabetes.org.uk

Type 1 and university: Emma's story

I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was six years old, so have lived with the condition for most of my life. But however much experience you have of living with diabetes, moving away from home for the first time is still a huge adventure. Getting organised Try to get yourself organised...

www.diabetes.org.uk

University and further education exams

Taking exams can be an extra worry if you have diabetes. But you have the right to make reasonable requests for what you need during the exam that will help you do your best. This information applies to exams you take after you’ve left school. If you’re the parent of a child with diabetes, we...

www.diabetes.org.uk

 

[Bruce Stephens]

one that many other Type 1’s have been through.

I did, but that was in the late 1980s (so last millennium). I'm sure lots of things are different now!

 

[Leadinglights]

Universities are well used to dealing and supporting students with various 'disabilities' but they will support you better if you inform them of your situation. There will be a disability tutor as part of each faculty who will address any special needs you have to enable full participation in your chosen course.

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

Contact your University in advance and let them know you have an ongoing health condition - I believe this entitles you to support and to any necessary adjustments to teaching, assessments, and study materials. I'm not sure whether you'd get DSA with diabetes, as that's meant for specialist equipment required by a disabled student, but either way you need your tutors to know about things like hypos and to make any necessary allowances related to those - not to mention knowing what to do if you have a bad one during a lecture/tutorial. Ongoing health conditions are covered by disability and equality laws so the university should be set up to help you as best they can - so long as they know. Your uni website should have a page telling you who to contact and with more details about exactly what you're entitled to.

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

Btw if you are applying for DSA for anything, do it as soon as you can - the process can take months.

 

[Piglet]

Good luck at Uni.

I would say don't forget to register with a GP as this will ease the transition to enable access to your repeat prescriptions. Tell your fellow students if you feel comfortable as the more people who are aware if your condition the more people will be looking out for you and tell them what to do in an emergency i.e. Hypo situation. I work with a couple of local universities and they both have a student support department which can assist with all health related issues, so as suggested in. previous post they will be able to help you better if they know what they are dealing with.

Also bear in mind stress can affect blood sugar levels (usually sending them higher Tham normal) so just keep an eye on them.

 

[admc26]

Hi @JTilley2000. It's amazing that you're heading back to uni! Echoing what everyone else has mentioned, make sure you register with the university's disability services - at my uni you are assigned a personal support officer who creates a Reasonable Action Plan with yourself. These ensure that the necessary provisions and support is provided for you in exams and the teaching environment.

You are entitled to DSA as I had it for my diabetes. What you receive depends on their assessment of your needs. They can provide you with computer software that makes reading easier, say if you have lost time after suffering from hypos for instance or lecture recording software if you were feeling low during a lecture.

There was a diabetic society at my uni which was really great fun. Though I wasn't really involved in it, I know people that were and they loved it. They had diabetic-friendly socials almost every week and introduces you to a peer group that are in the same boat as you.