Its appropriate that I was desperate to do this module as I have been very unwell the past couple of months and I feel like I'm emerging from a fog. The main problem has been itching and a severe facial rash and its been going on most of this year but seemed to get worse in the summer, I am definitely suffering some photosensitivity. This might not sound like a big deal but when it flares up badly its like needles constantly digging my skin, painful and unmanageable, Creams, lotions etc are not even touching it and are often causing worse reactions. When its at its peak I literally sit with a cold wet flannel on my face for hours trying to cool the burning sensation and keep the itching down to a minimum. In between bouts my skin is dry and scaly and I have gained a lot of wrinkles.
This is not the only unpleasant symptom, my body has lost the ability to regulate temperature and when I get hot or cold I stay that way. Hot is worse as my face starts to sweat and guess what? It makes the itching worse! We have had a long hot summer where I felt increasingly unable to cope. Some days I was also fatigued to the point of spending most of the day napping. In the past 6 to 8 weeks I have also suffered joint pain, particularly in my knees which have been much better since last summer and I have once again taken to using my stick to aid mobility. Oh yes and i've developed brain fog.
The GP has suggested Lupus as I have raised markers but waiting for a rheumatology appointment was 2 months. During this time my general depression worsened to the point where I was not effectively functioning, I had a total lack of concentration and was desperately trying to finish the EMA for my previous module. I didn't even apply for an extension as I felt the pressure of having a deadline to meet was too much. I just carried on when I could and finished it for my own piece of mind. Last week I finally saw the rheumatologist and he thinks it is not Lupus and has referred me on to dermatology for the face and confirmed the joint pain is the early onset of arthritis. I have now applied for exceptional circumstances to hand in my EMA next April.
And now I've started properly on H810 and I have my first TMA due on Monday! I will ask for an extension of 1 week and I'm going on holiday to chill out and study.
Already I've started and feel inspired by the material and that my recent experiences of being physically unable to function have given me an insight. First week of work and I love the table of language to use - It makes total sense.
| Use | Instead of |
|---|---|
| disabled people or disabled students | the disabled In the UK there is a move away from using 'people with disabilities' or 'students with disabilities'. |
| has epilepsy, is visually impaired, is deaf, etc. | handicapped, suffering from ..., afflicted by ..., a victim of ... avoid negative or overly emotional language |
| person or student with epilepsy, dyslexia or schizophrenia | epileptic, dyslexic, schizophrenic |
| 'John has a mobility impairment' | 'John is mobility impaired' |
| deaf people or deaf students 'hard of hearing' refers to people with mild to moderate hearing loss | the deaf, deaf and dumb The deaf community tends not to use the term 'deaf and hard of hearing' |
| wheelchair user | wheelchair bound, confined to a wheelchair |
| disabled person, person with a mobility impairment | crippled, spastic |
| disabled person, person with Down's syndrome | mongol |
| blind person, partially sighted person | the blind |
| non-disabled person | able bodied |
| person with dyslexia, person with specific learning difficulties | word blind |
| learning disability not to be confused with mental health difficulty | mental handicap |
| person with mental health difficulties person who has experienced emotional or mental distress | mentally ill |
| accessible toilet | disabled toilet |
| person of restricted growth | dwarf, midget |
| individual needs, learning support needs, access requirements | special needs |
| personal assistant, sighted guide, support worker (as appropriate) use the professional title | helper |
| never use these terms! | mad, crazy, bonkers, loony, subnormal |