Community Forum

My son was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease (after being ill for a long time) on November 31st, 2009. He was 15 yrs. old, weighed 63 lbs. and was 4 ft. 8 in. tall. My son is now 17 yrs. old, weighs 146 lbs. and is 5 ft. 9 in. tall. He wants to attend The Culinary Institute of America in New York. He loves to cook and is over the moon about going to college. My worry is paying the extra money for him to have his own dorm room. After news reports of college roomates killing each other for ridiculous reasons, meningitis outbreaks and his privacy dealing with his Crohn's Disesase (people are ALWAYS in his face asking him probing/sometimes rude questions), his own room is a must! I am searching for grants and organizations that help Crohn's Disease sufferers pay for college costs. Anyone have any websites, phone numbers, etc...  with that kind of information?

                                            Signed,

                                  Mystified In Maryland

Thank you so much for all the helpful info and I did call the school about him having roommate and a bathroom in the dorm room. Yes to both! Thanks again!
 

 Reply posted for REFerguson.

Hello!
I am currently a college student and a resident assistant on my campus, and I have had crohn's for almost 4yrs. I was lucky enough to be able to room with a friend my first year of college and we had a room with an adjoining bathroom to another room with two girls. My roommate was very helpful, but our suitemates would often lock us out of the bathroom which was obviously a problem. I had to talk to them and make them aware of my general situation so that it wouldn't continue to happen. Although it can be difficult at times to deal with conflicts and even embarrassment about crohn's, it has made me a stronger person, and most people are very understanding and helpful. As an RA, I am also a firm supporter of having a roommate during the first year of college. It's such an important part of the college experience. I am now an RA for upperclassmen in singles, and there is not nearly as much interaction on my floor as there is on floors with double rooms and suites. Living in a freshmen dorm is an especially great way to meet people and make friends. I would definitely talk to the director of residential life at your son's college and make them aware of the issue so that he can get a room with his own bathroom. I had a doctor's note about it, and I got into the best dorm on campus because of it. As far as roommate conflicts go, his RA should be able to help if any issues arise because of his disease or for any other reason. We are trained in mediation techniques and can arrange for a room change if necessary, which is pretty common among freshmen. Living in the dorms is a great experience, and having a roommate can be very helpful for a freshman so that he doesn't feel as alone. 
I hope that helps!
-Joan

 Reply posted for REFerguson.

I was diagnose during my first year of college back in 91.  After being out for several months and going to a different college I made the transaction to room with someone.  I made sure the school, the dorm, and my roommates knew what was going on.  If they had a problem with me rooming with them then I was switched.  Everything worked out and now one of those roommates is my best friend and the godmother to 2 of my children.  Sometimes just educating other people and letting them know that it is not contagious makes all of the difference.  I also found that having a roommate that was not only a friend and caring also help during those times when I didn't feel good.  Everything will work out.

Wow, thank you! I never thought of having him room solo for the 1st year and having a roommate the following year. Awesome!

 Reply posted for REFerguson.

I'm a recent college grad with Crohn's (Diagnosed March 2010, had symptoms in Aug 2009 w/out diagnosis). I went to a service academy, so I know about people who don't understand Crohn's and its effects. I know your first idea is to get a single dorm room or apartment for your son so he will not have to deal with the jerks out there. While this is a good idea for many reasons (own bathroom, no akward roommate talks/issues, etc), having a roommate can be good!  I had to room with two other girls, no exceptions. I told them what was going on, and they were understanding, sure they made comments from time to time about my bad gas issues or other problems and we had other non-Crohn related arguments, but they were really supportive. It was awesome to have these two girls have my back when other people made comments about issues I had. It's nice to be able to come back to the room and have someone there who you can talk to if you're having a bad day, or ask for homework help. Things I would be certain to ask about though are, the bathroom situation (Does each room have its own bathroom? If so, who cleans the bathrooms? If the bathrooms are down the hall (which mine were) is it possible to reserve the room right next to the bathroom? ) and sick day policies (How does he let a professor know that he is too sick to come to class?  What is the school's make-up policy? Is it standard for all classes or does it vary by professor?).  

And if you decide on having a roommate, I'd ask about who he should go to if he has a problem with his roommate and  how often they have had to reassign rooms due to disputes. Also, see if he can put down that he has Crohn's with a brief description on his roommate request form, in order to make sure the housing staff knows that he is a special case. He might even want to try a single room for the year and then find a good friend while up there that he might want to room with next year. 

Either way, I wish your son the best of luck in college!

 Reply posted for Lizzies Mom.

Thank you so much for that info. He has an Infusion tomorrow and I am going to speak with both the Peds G.I. doctor and the social worker. Any info that I get I will post it on this forum and will be sure to check if the info that I get applies to other states as well.

 Reply posted for REFerguson.

I live in NJ and am familiar with the school......great school!   Have you given them a call?   The student counselling dpt. or admissions should be able to guide you in the right direction for both available funding / grants, etc., and may even be able to help with room assignment concerns.  With all of the medical conditions these days, there may very well be another student for which would make a great roommate (they would be more understanding/ compassionate).   It may not be necessary to go in a private room.  Also contact the local CCFA office and see what light they may be able to shed (grants available in future) as well as helpful tips/tricks to help in the process.   Another option would be your own GIs office....I know ours has a social worker, depending on their experience, they may be able to help too.

Good luck in your search, and continued success with your son's new eduction and future career.

Lizzies Mom