Hello!
I am hopeful some parents or students ( current or graduated) can help speak to this topic. Do any of you have experience dealing with a chronic illness ( or your S or D that has a chronic illness) who has gone through a BFA MT program? If so, can you share experiences, thoughts, advice and suggestions? Thank you in advance . BTB
@bettythebee - My non MT D has Type 1 Diabetes and successfully went away to college, participated in dance troupe, moved 6 hours away post grad to get her masters degree, and is about to head across the country for a job. But you ask specifically for an MT… my MT D’s housemate/classmate is also T1D. PM me and I can attempt to put you in contact (not a CC person) if you think that experience would be helpful in your situation.
My S has a chronic autoimmune disorder (rheumatoid arthritis) which needs constant monitoring. Also, if he gets worn down and tired (and let’s face it, it is the default setting for BFA students), he picks up every single cold/virus that goes around. He had to be very upfront with his teachers/directors about it early on - especially the dance teachers when suddenly his knees or ankles blow up and for a time, his ability to dance (or even move well) would be impeded. He has been able to manage medication and communication.
Thank you artskids" for your experiences and thoughts! Can I ask, did they tell their instructors early on about the condition? When they did share about the RA, how was the response? Were they supportive or did they perhaps not consider S equal to their peers because of the illness? My D has something called Adrenal Insufficiency and arthritis. It is in the auto-immune category. Her body does not produce the chemical needed to respond to stressors so she takes meds to replace. She manages it well but has to be careful to not overdue and to get rest and to not get sick. This seems like an oxymoron when paired with a MT degree. But it is her joy. She wants to give it a try, but wonders if/when to tell the college and teachers in fear of being overlooked if they know of her illness. She is a HS junior now looking at different programs. Can share what program S went through? Thanks for your help and thoughts.
Hello. Thank you “kategrizz” for your thoughts on this subject and sharing your experience. Yes, if it would be possible, I would very much appreciate connecting with your friend who has someone in MT while dealing with a chronic illness. My D has an illness that is similar to Diabetes. ( both endocrine issues) My D is a HS Junior this year. Thank you for your help. Best wishes for you and your D.
@bettythebee He is at BW. We spoke with the then-MT head after the offer before he accepted. He has been very fortunate that he has been in semi-remission (I say “semi” because, as you know with autoimmune, it will flare up without warning) and has been able to fulfill 95% of his responsibilities. He hasn’t missed long periods of school or rehearsals but he has missed days here and there. It really depends on how you think it affects her (e.g, does she need a lighter course load; can she operate on a 7 am - 11 pm schedule if necessary; what happens when she has a flare up?). It’s much harder if a flare up would cause weeks of disruption.
@bettythebee PM me your contact info and I’ll share and hopefully get you connected. I can also connect you with my D, who was an Athletic Training major, and also was on the go from 8am-10 or 11 pm during undergrad between classes and Clinicals… plus her chosen extracurricular which had her dancing 3-4 nights a week as well. (She has specialized as an AT in the performing arts, so she has a good insight into the life of a BFA, and how they must take self-care seriously… especially in the case of a chronic illness). Like @artskids S she also shared her illness early on with her professors.
Thank you “artskids”! Your thoughts are helpful and the timing of when you shared this type of information is very helpful. She is also looking at BW and plans to visit this summer or next fall! It is one of her top hopefuls. Her situation has not caused weeks of disruption in years since dx and treatment was started. She is actually extremely active while learning when she needs to pull back. But as you know, you can’t say how college life will impact them until they are there. We are just hopeful to find a program/instructors that will be supportive of her…in every way. Can you share your/ your son’s thoughts about the program, they type of environment the school hopes to create for the students, instructors, and do they have a medical facility on campus. I very much appreciate being able to ask our Q’s. It is so helpful to discuss this issue with another parent/student facing similar issues. Thank you…
He has been very happy overall with the program and feels, as a rising senior, prepared to take on the next level of professional challenges. The program will prepare students to move into their careers. It is intense but the faculty is supportive. As with any program, your student will get out whatever they put in; we have really watched kids really grow during their time on campus. Other than a small health center, there is not a medical facility on campus but Southwest General is very close (a few miles away). Overall, Cleveland does not lack for first class medical facilities; if your student has a serious issue, both the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals’ main campuses are 20-30 minutes from the school.
I am also a high school Junior and I have some chronic health issues as well. While I am not in college yet one of the things I have considered is taking some gen-ed courses over the summer so that my schedule will not be quite so full during the school year. I know for me it is imperative that I get enough sleep and cannot overwork myself (which is very difficult in a BFA program!), and having even one less class a semester would give me time to get my other work done and rest so that I could stay at 100%. This might not work for every situation or at every school, but maybe it could help her avoid exhaustion and illness too!
Thank you MThopeful99. What a great idea. I hope all goes very well for you and that your ventures are met with health, success, and happiness.