Hi Emma,

Now I know that I DO DEFINITELY know where you are coming from.  My
family are also of the `think positively' brigade, and have given me very
little support.  They are very physical and sports orientated with no
health problems.  They all ignore my physical requirements.  I fell
badly a few months ago and injured my neck, I was VERY lucky that I
didn't knock myself unconcious (I live alone).  My parents refused to
help me in purchasing an alarm that I could activate if I fell and
injured myself.  This was all on top of a life time of expecting me to
keep up with them physically, and yelling at me if I fell over or was
too slow.  Needless to say, I have now cut off all contact with them.
My body started breaking down two or three years ago, severe aches and
pains in my hands and fingers, and it has got worse from there
esp. after the fall.
At uni I have someone who takes notes for me in lectures (the uni
hires someone to do this - and so should yours), a scribe and extra
time in exams, and my lecturers have been excellent this semester in
giving me extra time for my essays because of the neck injury (the
pain has been so bad I have difficulty thinking at times).

Emma, your physical and emotional health and energy are things that
you HAVE to take care of.  It is all very well for your parents to
tell you that it is a `cop out' for you to transfer, but I think if
dealing with this uni is putting so much pressure on you, you have
every right to find another that will accommodate you.  You have to
think realistically as opposed to `positively'.  You have a disability
that results in limitations, and you have every right to whatever
makes life easier for you.

I've gone on a bit, I know, and I apologise, but I feel strongly about
this as the refusal of my family and others around me to adapt to my
needs put me at very serious physical and emotional risk.

Have you thought about studying externally, many uni's offer that
option.

Do you live with your parents?

Feel free to e-mail me privately off-list if you want.

Rayna