Having a general moan...

[Vic]

Why is it that just when you need decent vision, sod's law intervenes?
Trying to write my dissertation at the moment, necessitating long hours of reading small print articles / staring at computer screns. Tonight, 'good' grafted eye feels like it has been punched - was getting very sensitive to the screen so I've ended up taping it shut. have made the computer screen as large as possible and am now relying on teh stupid eye, but can't see a darned thing and it is getting me hugely frustrated. Deadline is looming far too quickly so can't take a proper break away from it, and can't apply for an extention as I don't want the med school to get wind of any sight problems right now. No particular point to this at all really except wanted to rant and have some sympathy from other people with wonky eyes...

[Alison Fisher]

Sending you a supportive, been there, done that, got the t-shirt hug.

I'm a dyer and spent a long time hiding how bad my sight was from my employers. It isn't much fun is it?

[Prue B]

Vic I am sure you have good reasons, but why after going through grafts and proving you are conquering your sight issues do you feel the need to keep it from your school. Post surgically you have a good reason for an extension. You should have good corrected vision in the foreseeable future, all KC should do for a doctor is give them greater empathy, and that is a good thing.

[Louise Pembroke]

guys I remember there being some good advice here before about changing font sizes/adjusting screens etc, could you do this again for Vic?

[Vic]

Thanks for the support people.

Keeping it from the medical school... The abridged version is that they are less than supportive of peopple who do not have 110% health. There are stringent guidelines set down by the General medical Council for doctors' fitness to practice, including a sight requiement, and the medical school are very wary of my sight problems. They attempted to get me to leave 6 weeks into the course, and since then it has been an ongoing battle. Basically any mention of sight difficulties does not get met with support but with the suggestion of a meeting with the fitness to practice committee.

No, keeping it from them is no fun at all is it Alison?

[Andrew MacLean]

Vic. That is what sod's law is for!

I'd strongly suggest you get some of the software that will enable your computer to read articles to you.

I have a Mac, and this software comes embedded. but I am pretty certain that even the more difficult Operating Sysems can be made to mimic the Mac.

I fully understand and respect your desire to keep from people information for which they have no need to know.



Andrew

[John Smith]

Vic,

I've just posted the "how to make your PC screen easier to read" as an FAQ. (Thanks for the suggestion, Lou).

You'll find it here.

If you have a scanner, you could also use that to enlarge the small-print books you are trying to read.

All the best,

[Anne Klepacz]

Vic - other students on this forum will correct me if I'm wrong, but every uni should have a disabilities or special needs support unit and my understanding is that this is confidential ie they will NOT tell your tutors unless you give them permission to, but may be able to offer help and support.
Anne

[Andrew MacLean]

Anne

I think it may be different for Medics. Vic probably signed a blankedt consent form when he registered, or at least when he took out his indemnity insurance.

Catch 22

Andrew

[Vic]

Yes, unfortunately with medicine, you sign your life away at the beginning. I did look into it a couple of years ago, and whereas the learning support unit would be confidential from their end of things, all the disclaimers I signed when I started required me to disclose that kind of thing to the medical school.

Thanks for the PC stuff. I have archaic Windows 98, I think it should be similar to XP in terms of the screen. Voice recognition software is a good idea, again I'm not sure if there still is any that's made for Win 98, but would be interesting to look into it.