Catholic university reaches out to students with chronic illnesses

CHICAGO, Ill. (Catholic Online) - For most college students, getting out of bed and going to class is a routine. Only an occasional bout with the flu or too much partying the night before keeps them from attending class.

But for people with chronic illness, attending class on a regular basis may not be possible. In the past, people with this problem were not allowed to matriculate on college campuses due to guidelines requiring attendance. DePaul University in Chicago, Ill., developed the Chronic Illness Initiative to accommodate students with chronic illness, who are unable to attend class on a regular basis due to having to deal with relapses or unpredictable debilitating symptoms of their diseases, and allow them to complete their coursework and get their college degrees. Launched in 2003, the program was founded by director Dr. Lynn Royster, whose son suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 20 years and had faced many difficulties while earning his degree in college. Her son's experience prompted Royster to think of a way to help other students with a chronic illness achieve their dream of an education.

She saw that the School for New Learning program, which already had features that could make learning accessible to students with chronic illnesses, might provide that vehicle.

Among the chronic diseases that students in the program suffer from are: lupus, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, bi-polar disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, epilepsy and chronic-fatigue syndrome. Currently, the program serves more than 120 students across the United States and around the world. The program's goal is to help new students get acquainted with college life, create a positive atmosphere and provide a program with supportive staff to help students attain their degrees. Modern technology plays a major role in the success of this program because students are offered the options to take courses online, in the classroom or a combination of both forms of learning. The teaching and support staff have had special training to help them understand the limitations of the students and some of the symptoms of the diseases. With that information in place, accommodations can take place on behalf of the student. The Buddy Program pairs new students with students that have had experience in the program. Buddies help new students with tasks, such as how to navigate the distance education environment, learn the registration process, deal with a professor's expectations, manage study time, handle illness issues, or simply figure out whom to call for what. For students that want enter the program but do not meet the age or experience requirements, a preparation program call Inside Track is available. Inside Track provides information to prepare students to handle the program and help them manage the additional demands placed upon them by their illness. The program includes courses on how to develop the skills of self-advocacy and self-determination, the process of critical thinking, and the use of effective communication tools. In addition to providing educational opportunities, the CII also increases public awareness to the needs and capabilities of people with chronic illness, conducts research related to students with chronic illness in higher education, and is a partner and in network with other organizations that support people with chronic illness. "Attending the School for New Learning to obtain my bachelors degree has been a long time in coming and a dream come true," said Niki Yeldell, a student in the School of New Learning and the Chronic Illness Initiative programs, is majoring in English Literature. "With the full knowledge of what I've been through and discovered, I am more than ready to give my all to fulfilling this task," added the major in English literature. "By obtaining my bachelors degree I will be able to make the first step in becoming a teacher," she said. "I'll be a role model for my brother and sister, and firmly stand on the foundation built by my struggles and determination." "I have a disease," said Gillian Trumbull, who plans to pursue a career in pediatric hospice care. "I had two choices, I could accept it and make the best of it or I could fight it and become depressed." "I chose to throw my hands up and go for the ride," said the student who despite her frequent hospitalizations manages to maintain a grade point average of 3.7 out of 4.0. "I started to look into other options of making things more doable for myself," she said. "I approached it just like everything else I do," she added. "I would find a way to do it." The Chronic Illness Initiative, she said, allowed her to work toward completing her education.

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