Son worried about living in doorm at college ??

[Kaitlyn]

My son Matt has Crohn's and is going off to college soon. he is nervous about living in a doorm with a roomate. Also I don't think there is a bathroom in their room I think it's one that everyone on the floor shares. Anyways if any of you have some advice on living a dorm with Crohn's please share

 

[xmdmom]

My son was able to get a single as an accommodation for this disability. Has he applied for accommodations at his college?

 

[Kaitlyn]

xmdmom he tried to apply for special living options but his application was late and they were not able to do anything

 

[Clash]

We have already started speaking with the office of disability services at the colleges my son is interested in as well and the 504 that is in place for him at his high school will follow him to college as well as any other accommodations he may need as well including single bathroom.

 

[xmdmom]

I think that there may still be a good chance that a single will open up, since some people change their plans at the last minute. (It depends on the number of singles at the college.) He should be in the front of the line given his situation.

 

[Clash]

I would definitely have him keep checking with the OODS so they know he is still hoping for a change in dorms, with so many kids it could unintentionally become out of sight out of mind, kwim? I would just make sure they stayed aware of his issues and that he is hoping for a single! Good Luck!!

 

[ce1210]

if he's already worried I would def speak to the school about it and express how serious the situation is...I wasn't diagnosed with crohn's until long after I was forced into dorm life, but I can't imagine having to do it now that I have had flare ups and am really dealing with the disease...maybe they would make an exception and allow him to get an off campus apt. I really wish I had never had to live in a dorm w/ roommates my first year would have gone so much more smoothly.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I would definitely speak to whoever is in charge of housing and disability services. They may SAY there are no singles left but they always keep a few on hand for special situations ie: students with disability and in situations where roommates have fought and there may be danger etc.

 

[crohnsinct]

Yikes! Never thought of this. I guess this is my forum item to add to my long list of things I learned here.

 

[Tesscorm]

I agree with checking in with the disability office - Stephen has also applied for 'apartment-style' accommodations. It wouldn't surprise me if they do keep a few rooms aside. :ghug:

 

[Kaitlyn]

Thank you I will have him keep checking when he first called them after he looked online and saw his room they said they would check and see he had called them again they said there was no other signal rooms or suites available. I think he emailed too .

 

[DustyKat]

I agree with all of the above re staying in contact with Disability Services Kaitlyn.

I'm not sure where your Matt is at with his use of the toilet or how the on campus residential system works in the US but...

Is the student population a bit mobile at all? By that I mean is it likely that something may come up even after the semester has started even if it is at the end of it?

Would he be able to hold out until something does become available?

My Matt lives at home but Sarah has lived away for 4 years now whilst attending university. I have been fortunate enough to be in a position to support her at university so she has not lived in a dorm situation as such and to be honest I don't know that she would have been able to initially. When she first left home, although in remission, she did have some major issues with bile salt malabsorption diarrhoea courtesy of her resection. She lived in an apartment on campus for 12 months which had 8 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. I don't think the bathroom was an issue in that set up. She then lived off campus for the next 2.5 years in various situations but with no more that a couple of flat mates and now she has just moved back on campus into a studio apartment. I don't know how she isn't travel sick because she has moved every 6 months! :lol:

These days her diarrhoea is very well in hand so I think her desire to live alone has more to do with her OCD tendencies than those of the toilet! :eek2: Did I just say that out loud? :lol:

Dusty. xxx

 

[Clash]

Ahhh, Dusty my non-IBD daughter has moved every year it seems. I don't know about her being travel sick but I am seriously mover Mom weary!! Not to mention each move she finds a need to re-paint(for me to re-paint), antique(for me to antique) or buy(you get the picture) new furniture!

 

[Tesscorm]

:lol: Glad it's Stephen moving out... in a million years, it'll never cross his mind to wonder if he should paint the walls a fresh coat of Morning Dew Azure or whether his comforter should be replaced because the colours don't inspire calmness in the bedroom! :lol: (Shut up Dusty - yes, Stephen requires 'calmness' in his bedroom! :lol

Stephen's a nice looking boy, keeps himself neat and clean, fusses with his hair, etc. yet, I just told my hubby, at times, he could literally be the reincarnation of Oscar from the Odd Couple!!! He bought pool sandals to take to Dominican - the ones he bought are, IDK..., 2 sizes too big! but he liked them and they were the only size the store had! So, WTH, how important is size anyway?? :ybatty: Last night, on his way to meet friends, (and we're in the middle of heatwave), he put on thick black sweatsocks (because of blisters from NOT wearing socks while playing ball hockey with friends! :yfaint WITH his too-big sandals! When I told him he looked like some old man about to do gardening, he said 'my friends don't judge me'! :rof:

 

[Tesscorm]

OMG, that is so funny! I can just see it! You're so right... a boy thing!

In going through Stephen's Dominican laundry, I'm not sure what's missing from Stephen's clothing but, I do know that he's come back with t-shirts, etc. that he didn't leave with!! When I asked him, he said he didn't know what had been packed because with his dislocated shoulder, his friends had packed for him! I can just imagine how that room was packed up... 'hey, I found one shoe here. Anyone got any more room in your suitcase?' 'This your tee? Nah, but just throw it in that brown suitcase.'

 

[Clash]

Oh yeah C is at the beach now and yes he is 16 and yes I should let him have the responsibility of packing but I absolutely know nothing would match and he'd end up naked one of the vacation days, I can't wait to see what he brings back.

I started freaking out the second day because as methodical as I was I forgot sunscreen!! I was just about to text him when he sent me a text and asked would reapplying SPF 30 through out the day be good enough and when not in water he was wearing his shirt. I fainted!!!:yfaint:

 

[DustyKat]

Ha! You two should be thankful they go shopping! I can't even get Matt out of the bedroom unless it is to go to uni or soccer. Shopping? WTH is that? I don't know the last time he shopped for anything that wasn't related to Mathematics or soccer. :rof: So how is that he isn't walking around naked? Sarah buys all his clothes! LMFAO or I would have yet another reason to rock in the corner pulling my eyelashes out!

With all the moves Sarah has made I have been very fortunate that I live 600kms away with a brother in Sydney that says...no worries sis, I'll sort it all. I love my brother sooooooo much! :ybiggrin:

Dusty. :Flower:

 

[Clash]

Oh Dusty, you are so lucky, no shopping or moving!!! That was the one and only time C has shopped for himself. School shopping is coming up soon which means I drag him to Atl from mall to mall, store to store as he boorishly mutters yeah, ok, whatever, do I have to try it on?

 

[Tesscorm]

Sooo true re the shopping! Stephen keeps TALKING that he needs some clothes, etc., etc. We work across the street from Toronto's biggest mall!!, I don't know how many times I suggested we go.. nope, not today, maybe tomorrow, oh I'll just wear those shorts again, etc.! And, THEN, he complains he has no clothes! Unfortunately, he doesn't have a sister like Sarah! (And, I'd be broke if I told Emily to start shopping for Stephen! )

And, you, Dusty... you also lucked out with a very nice sibling!!!:ycool:

 

[crohnsinct]

OMG! You gals have me LMAO! I am running a frat house over here with my 3 girls. I HATE shopping so maybe that is why. 2 of my girls would wear the same outfit day in and out. Poor O is the only one who actually gives two hoots what she looks like and that is marginal. Hubby keeps suggesting we adopt a girl just to see what it would be like...I am afraid I would ruin her:rof:

The only upswimg I have to 3 girls is I only had to explain puberty once. My oldest has my back for the next two!

 

[Kaitlyn]

all you guys are lucky I have four boys and a husband who hate shopping so I'm stuck with it all. I buy them cloths they hate them it's like well you go shop then. The only one that is easy is my 14 year old he lives in basketball shorts, sweat pants , and t shirts ( he is good with a pack of white fruit of the loom shirts and some. B,ack basketball shorts )

 

[Mehita]

I have two boys plus the Hubster. We went bowling the other day and the guy asked what size shoes everyone needed. All three of them just stared at me! They had no clue.

No advice on the dorm issue, aside from maybe asking for a room as close to the bathroom as possible. Does he have a 504 plan from high school? All those accommodations carry over to college.

 

[DustyKat]

Yep, I am blessed!

Hallelujah for Sarah and my bro! :dusty: And goodbye to a rocking good time in the corner! :lol:

Dusty. anda: