u/demeter1993

I am going back to college. I was not getting responses to my emails about my ADA requests, so I called another person that is helping me (they basically have a little support team of advisors). The person said to call, instead of email and ask what was going on.

It turns out my accessibility counselor, who makes sure I have everything I need, went on vacation for 2 weeks. This is immediately prior to me starting summer classes. She didn't even tell me, so I was emailing her a few times, expecting an answer. No out of office emails either.

So now I have to meet with the accessibility office director to discuss what I need. It's honestly hilarious how ridiculous this is... At least let me know you are out!

EDIT: I received a reply from the director of the accessibility office and I sent a very strongly worded email... This is NOT ADA compliment. I should be allowed to buy textbooks for a cheaper price on eBay and get the PDF files...

"Ivapologize for the difficulties you have had for this request. As I believe you were told, ______ is on vacation, but you should definitely have had a clear path to proceed with this request.

Unfortunately, all three of the books you are seeking are available in e-book format commercially, therefore we are not able provide them in alternative textbook formats for you. We are only able to acquire textbooks in alternative formats if none are available to you through commercial or free channels. This limitation is clearly stated on our Alternative Format Textbook Request Form. If you were not directed to this form, and/or this was not clearly explained to you, I apologize again, and please rest assured that I am taking action to make sure that our procedures are clearer and more clearly explained going forward.

Please believe me when I say I understand your concern about changing formats with existing e-books. However, these concerns do not constitute a barrier that we can take action to remove."

For years I have had a strategy that always worked when a bee came near me. I would cover my ears, breathe slowly, and wait patiently for it to fly away, sometimes walking away slowly as well. If I was eating lunch or something, I would place a tiny piece of food a few feet from me and they would usually go there instead.

Last year, I used my usual technique, but the bee tried to crawl up my nose. It was traumatic and I was hitting my own face in a panic. Somehow and luckily, I did not get stung (I've never been stung before, so I deeply fear it since I'm not sure if I'm allergic). Now, I am a bit paranoid...

Also, I think it's worse this year, because every time I go outside the bees keep approaching me and going near my face specifically. I use pretty mild soap from beekman goat milk soap, a psoriasis shampoo, and 3 minute miracle conditioner, so I'm not sure why they like me so much.

At home, we finally and fortunately have a good pest control company that we desprately needed. So, two years ago my cat and I were on the deck and he swatted at one yellow jacket, only to have us surrounded by 50 of them. That's when we learned they were making a home in the wood between the downstairs porch and our 2nd floor deck. Well, the company's sprays are keeping them away for the most part, but anywhere else I go, all kinds of bees are coming over to me.

If they were bumble bees, I'd be fine, since they are pretty chill. I actually had a friendly little bumble bee on my deck with the garden until the yellow jackets came that year. Additionally, I don't trust honey bees, because they are indistinguishable to me from wasps or yellow jackets and they could be a wasp in disguise. I've even tried comparing pictures side by side, but I can't tell which is which. Plus, how do I know it won't get confused and try crawling in my nose like that bee from last year?

Any advice?

I am hearing, but I have Auditory Processing Disorder. I work at a Deaf school and yesterday with some coworkers, I end up talking about how I requested interpreting services for classes, since I am going back to college. Apparently, everyone is talking about "why would a hearing person request interpreters?"

Excuse me, but they do not know my story and my struggles. There are some days where it feels like everyone is speaking a made up language of gibberish! Other days, I get by, but it is exhausting. Sometimes if someone is trying to get my attention, yelling my name and stomping on the ground, I don't hear anything. Ten seconds later all the sound comes and hits me like a brick...

Since starting to work at a deaf school, communication is so awesome. I can communicate with ease and I can listen with my eyes, rather than trying to rely on my faulty ears and brain.

Just yesterday, I was reading song lyrics along to a song and I read "you make me feel alive" which controducted the entire song and since I have difficulty understanding speech, I accepted that was the real song lyrics. I spent the next 10 minutes trying to understand why the artist would put that lyric there when the whole rest of the song is the opposite sentiment... I then look at lyrics on another site and see that it says "you make me feel ah ah". I was livid... The lyrics on Spotify were wrong and I wasted my time trying to understand the poetic meaning behind that one word that was wrong.

Little things like that every single day. I have a lot of disabilities and a lot of accomodations requirements. One of them is related to communication. I NEED interpreters. I NEED subtitles. I NEED quiet environments if I am required to communicate orally (I work at a swimming pool too, so you can imagine how hard that is). If I am learning someone's name, I need them to say it a few times loud and clear or I will not get it.

End of rant. I am functionally hard of hearing without being hard of hearing and for some reason people don't accept my struggles or understand it. My audiologist says I am 'hard of processing'.

Honestly it is not anyone's business, but I am autistic and everything just comes out. I somehow end up telling my life story to everyone! I gotta learn to stop or I will continue to be judged over things people have no business judging over. It's ridiculous how people like to talk without having any empathy. It's not so bad at this job, but I've had other jobs where people were so mean!

Edit: thanks for the comments. I appreciate everyone's perspective and advice.

Today was the first time I didn't need the Oxycodone prescription after waking up (pain is worst in the morning for me). I only needed ibuprofen! My surgery was on April 16th, so this is day 11 for me. It still hurts and the mucus is terrible, but I am very happy it is getting better.

By the way, I thought mucinex was just for your lungs, but it also helps with throat mucus. I was suffering until I started that yesterday and now I am still uncomfortable, but the mucus isn't making me nauseous anymore. Make sure it isn't any special type of mucinex, just the regular. I think the other kinds can interact with the pain medications if you are on anything stronger than over the counter stuff.