Thread by @DisInHigherEd

Okay let's talk accommodations! I am grateful to have mine which include working from home during the pandemic and having a research assistant because my #RheumatoidArthritis has hit me fast and furious. But for me, they weren't easy to get... Mainly on the medical side 1/

I live in #Houston, Texas that has the WORLD'S largest medical center in the world. I was required to do a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) because my initial rheum said he wasn't qualified to say what my impairments were... 2/

We had several appointments where I described to him the things I could and could not do. He wouldn't even prescribe me a rollator to get around even though I needed one. I couldn't ambulate well and was in excruciating pain if I attempted 0.1mi walks. 3/

Fine. Whatever. The place I was referred to (TIRR) gatekept the process. I could only make an appointment once they received my referral. For 3 months I called my rheum and the office to see if it had been sent/received. I even offered to snail mail it or bring it by. 4/

I was told no. By some miraculous stroke of luck, TIRR finally got my referral... And then told me they can't do the exam in the med center, I have to go 30-45 minutes away to their Memorial City location to have it done. Jokes on them, I couldn't drive that long 5/

In the process of me just trying to find a ride and get everything coordinated, they called me back and said oh nah... We don't do this test at all...
Um... Excuse me what?? 😑 6/

I said whatever and hung up the phone. Oh this was also tied into the occupational therapy that I requested as a newly disabled person. They wanted me to go even further out for my back OT. But when I called their centers and others, I was told OT was only for hands... 7/

I digress. I did a search for locations that do FCEs. There are only 3 in the Houston area and this one is 1hour away from me and the test can take up to 5 hours. I called to make sure they take my insurance. We were good to go. Got it booked. 8/

I get there and find out that in fact, they don't bill insurance for an FCE and it takes $500 to do it. I already drove out there, I needed it for my forms, I bit the bullet and hoped I could write a claim form afterwards. 9/

I was told this place could also fill out my accommodations form. When I asked, he said no he can't. I'd have to see another doctor to get that filled out and he can't write a prescription for the rollator but can suggest in the FCE I need one. 10/

I was pissed, but what could I do? I went home, filled out the claims form, sent it to my insurance, and took a nap. I wasn't feeling well. I was hurting, and I was tired. 11/

In trying to find physical therapy/occupational therapy, I stumbled upon PM&R PMNR? Because I went to the wrong doctor thinking he did OT, because you know the website said he did. 12/

I went to see this new guy that looked over all the forms I had. I told him this is what I need: my accommodations form to be filled out, a referral and sources for OT, and a handicap placard. 13/

He said I could only do temp handicap placard because "back pain will go away" even though I had already done over 30 sessions of land and water-based physical therapy and could barely walk... 14/

But the same issues I ran into before for OT I ran into again. People don't do OT for back pain and not being able to walk in Houston apparently... 🤷‍♀️ 15/

I had so many medical barriers to getting my accommodations because my PIs refused to lend me additional help in the lab to get my work done. 16/

Even having a Research Assistant as a medical accommodation because I can't sit, stand, walk, or use my hands, I've been told I'm not a real scientist or my work doesn't matter because I'm not doing it myself. So what does that make PIs? 🤡 17/

I'm grateful I have wonder accommodations admin in the graduate school, because they worked diligently to get everything through HR. I didn't have to handle any of the admin work. 18/

They also helped me reach out to the NIH to start the paperwork or a disability supplement even though I'm now having issues with Sponsored Projects to get that through because they've "never done it before" 19/

My story is some ways is unique as others have had issues not only for the time and money for the medical tests needed as "proof" for accommodations but also on the school side trying to get them implemented. 20/

As I discussed with and was well written by my lovely friend @nolan_syreeta: Requesting accommodations is not the sole responsibility of the student/worker but a delicate ecosystem between the requester, their doctors, supervisors, and HR 21/

And when accommodations are granted and the student is thriving... DON'T TAKE THE ACCOMMODATIONS AWAY!! THAT IS THE ENTIRE POINT! 22/

Accommodations are more than just extra time on tests and supervisors are required BY LAW to adhere to them when granted by the disability office/HR. FULL STOP 23/

Okay I'm done yelling. Going to grab a snack, some hydration, and probably a quick nap. What are your thoughts? 😂 24/Fin

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