support groups/private insurance

[sami ahmed]

thanks to all,i am individually grateful ..your feedback encourages me to ask further question.
1-i live in lincolnshire -which support group is there.
2-the private insurance re my son which one would be the best .. are there some KC friendly ones and how advantageous it is ti have it.
3-if i want a second opinion(private one may be)what is the best place/person in leeds/sheffileld/york area.

and what about the choice of careers .can KC be a limiting factor.my son wants to do medicine.
many thanks..you have been great.(jazakallah-means thanks)

[Drew Radcliffe]

Hi Sami

For me medicine would be out of the question because of my vision has deteriorated to that point. I couldn't safely measure and administer drugs.

But many people don't deteriorate to this point and leed normal lives with the use of contact lenses. Support your son into whatever career path he wants to follow, with the knowledge that he has given his aspirations the best oppurtunity to develop. If he stuggles later in life then he can revaluate his carear path and adapt it to accomodate is abilities, but remember he may never need to do so.

I am now retraining to be a physiotherapist as vision is not important in this role. I used to work with computers for many years and I am glad that I did because its made my life more interesting.

Drew

[GarethB]

Hi Sami,

1) I am not aware of a support group in Lincolnshire, but I know a few people in that area are looking at organising a Local Support Group.

2) Insurance is always a hard one to go private as many will exclude pre-existing conditions. Sorry to be doom and gloom, feel you should be aware of potentila pitfalls. I am aware though that some have found private care useful. Many of those who work for the NHS also do private consultations so the quality of care can be the same. I have been private in the pat but now on NHS with no more than 4 week waits if I need to see someone.

3) Not from that area, but I am sure soemone can help.

Can KC limit a career, well I started a degree in microbiology just after a graft and registerd partially sighted. As soon as I could see enough for the practicles, I did that work. Work for the government in this area and work has just been declassified, worked down mines, sewers, on oil rigs and up chimneys.

Always mentioned KC when I was at Uni and the disability I had was taken into account so that I could work pretty much normal. Had two grafts, never held me back froma career, got a good job. Do not work in the laboratory as much, but still able to do everything else. KC people are resilient which is why this forum is good for sharing problems and also what has been helpful. The only thing I can not really do now is follow my hobby of motor racing as I can not make the minimum sight test to take part in races. Technology moves on so my race licence has been suspended like it was when I first had KC.

Your son should set his mind on what he wants to do and concentrate on what he can do. You will all be surprised at how ay obstacles that come his way that he can overcome.

Is his KC correctable with glasses or contact lenses?

Avoid dwelling on what might happen, we can control our own future. I beleive if you concentrate on the negatives then they will happen. Concentrate on the positives and you can achieve anything!

Good luck

Gareth