Learning Support

I was born at 26 weeks gestation, roughly 3 months early. This led to me suffering 2 brain bleeds, one on each side of my head. I was then diagnosed with cerebral palsy spastic quadriplegia. The consultant predicted it would be purely physical damage and he was correct.  I was diagnosed with high tone in all four limbs, meaning my muscles are tighter then they should be, and low tone in my torso, meaning my muscles there are looser then they should be. Cerebral palsy is graded on a scale of 1-5, 5 being the worst,  I was assessed as a grade 4. It is rare for a person to be this highly graded without their speech also being affected.

At college, the first thing that was flagged was finding a toilet that I could use. While there are several disabled bathrooms I needed one large enough to fit my chair, a transfer aid that goes in front of the toilet and a member of staff to help me. Eventually, we decided on the medical room, but the sink was in the way of the transfer aid. The sink was moved before I was even accepted into college, which is one of the many examples of the college being very inclusive and supportive. As the medical room is left locked, I was quickly given my own key so I didn’t have to go to IL every time I needed the bathroom. This has proven to be very convenient as it cut down on the time taken to go to the bathroom. Most students take 5 minutes to use the bathroom. I take roughly 20 minutes. For this reason, I often go in breaks, but teachers have been very accommodating if I turn up late to a class after a break.

Getting around college is also impeded by crowds, my fellow students are always rally considerate to me needing more room and moving around and I’m always very appreciative. However, this can mean that it takes me longer to get to class but my teachers are very understanding of this.

Any barriers I have faced since being at college have soon been rectified, a lot of the time without me even having to ask. There was a pillar in the way of my tutor’s office but the next day the entrance was adapted so this was never a problem, the library doors were also adapted to make the entrance accessible.

When I get to class my teachers, support staff and even students will move desks without me having to ask, this makes my life a lot easier. I have support in class to make notes as I cannot write for myself at the speed required. As so much is written the staff often type the notes. I also get 25% extra time in exams because of the time disparity. Taking longer to record notes also applies to homework. A friend of mine, who does the same subject, did a homework in 40 minutes that took me nearly an hour but support is always on hand and everyone is so understanding.

So far, at college, I have been on 2 trips. To get to Lancaster university where a member of the team, drove me and another wheelchair user in the college minibus, as I can’t get on a coach. For which I am very grateful. We went to Liverpool in my adaptive vehicle, with one of my PAs (who usually help with my independence at home). On trips & visits I have to take a different transfer aid to use the bathroom.  As long as we have plenty of notice we can make adjustments and plans so I never have to miss out on amazing opportunities.

The college provides an amazing level of understanding and inclusion. It is something to be proud of.