University and Chronic Illness: A Survival Guide by Pippa Stacey
Chloe_Scope
Scope Posts: 10,653 Disability Gamechanger
@LifeOfPippa released her debut non-fiction book, University and Chronic Illness: A Survival Guide, in January 2020 to help disabled students navigate the world of higher education.
Back in the day, I completed my undergraduate degree (BSc Psychology in Education) between 2013-2016, and also studied for my postgraduate diploma (MSc Health Psychology) from 2016-2017. During my first year of university, I was your typical student: studying hard, partying harder, travelling the country with various sports teams and for dance competitions, volunteering, working towards an honours degree and generally living my best life. By the same time the following year, I was struggling to stand up on my own.
I’d been battling for answers to my mystery symptoms since the age of 15, but it was only when my health significantly relapsed and I was struck down by an onslaught of debilitating pain and fatigue, that I was finally diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS). Naturally, all this took place during my very first year of university, just as my young adult life was beginning.
What is the book about?
A chatty and informative resource, the book goes far beyond your typical standardised advice on academics, and encompasses all aspects of student life: socialising, independent living, managing your money, and what to do when things go wrong.
Replies
Chloe is also one of the fab contributors who shared some of her experiences in the book. Really hope it comes in helpful for any students considering or starting university with a long-term health condition!
Q) Are you starting university this year?
Started in 2018.
Q) How did you find university?
Hard at first, i was studying full time, caring for my mum full time and trying to manage my own mental health. I mostly felt alone and felt that i shouldnt be studying because i was experiencing financial hardship and felt like the statistics of carers studying spoke for itself.
I was reffered to student wellbeing services and they helped me so much. If it wasnt for them, i wouldnt even be aware that i have a SpLD Neuro-developmental motor delay disorder / Dyspraxia.
They also advised to undergo short term counselling, however, discussing my childhood traumas and caring responbilities triggered my C-PTSD (Complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), which caused me to be emotionally unstable.
My depression became worser and my GAD & SAD was always @ 100%. I failed three modules because my mental health was so overpowering. I had to retake the modules, which i passed 2 at distinction >70% level and 1 at pass >40% I am now progressing onto stage 2 this year
Im starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Q) What do you study?
Integrated BSc Hons + MSc in: Computer science for health and biological sciences (2018 - 2023).
Q) What would you love to study?
MSc in Bio-informatics with molecular medicine and computational anaylysis.
& a PhD too hopefully.
(Im just taking it One day at a time).
Scope community team
What an interesting course! That sounds great. What's been your favourite module?
Definitely take it one day at a time, but I'm pleased that you've got some really good goals to aim for.
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Thank you for sharing this with us. I chose not to go to university as I felt that it wasn't for me, instead I got a part time job and studied whilst working to gain a qualification. I am now interested to explore the possibility of disability, mental health and how adversity can be overcome being discussed in educational setting's as I still feel lots of students with a variety of disabilities feel different to their peers and that they will not be able to achieve. I have started to share this on the online community and it is interesting that many people feel universities are educational institutions that need better education and understanding about disability. Now I obviously am unable to comment on this and always imagined aiming what I was thinking of at primary and secondary school, but please may I ask what are your thoughts on this? I think you're very inspiring to write a book about your experiences and writing it in a way to help other people, thank you
Thank you so much for getting back to me, I really do appreciate it. Thank you so much for recommending Bright Futures UK, I will be sure to take a look
How different our world would be, if only she had put that brilliance into the injustice she started with, taking up campaigning for disability equality, or even equal equalities, instead of concentrating on race.