Question

Hi.

Background: I have Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy. My tonic-clonic seizures have all been nocturnal ones--it has only happened once during waking hours, and that happened last week (fractured a rib during the process). During the day, I have only had some minor myoclonus and occasional absences. I am currently on Divalproex Sodium and I consider myself well-controlled.

I am considering applying to med school after I graduate with my B.Sc in two weeks. I have a 4.0 GPA (have not written the MCATs though), extensive research background in 5 labs, extensive volunteer work--4 different organisations amounting to some 15-18 hours/week during my undergrad years--plus some 6 years volunteering in the hospital. I would say I qualify for med school admission.

Now my question is: Assuming I write the MCATs and qualify, how do I navigate rotations, shifts, on-calls, residency, etc., which require odd and/or long hours? Sleep deprivation and a wacky sleep-cycle exacerbate JME. Will any reasonable accommodation be given? Can they throw me out of med school because of this? Do I just have to bite the bullet, do the rotations and stuff and hope/pray I don't get a seizure?

Has anyone any experience to share?

Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

Med schools have students with medical conditions and disabilities all the time and it is fine. We had a guy with one arm at one point and he did great, obviously with some tweaks in the tasks assigned to him. Schools want to accommodate things like this and are required to by law too, in the U.S.  You will be a better doctor for having some experience as a patient.

The student's attitude makes all the difference. You seem to have a good sense of perspective and a mature approach to managing your disease. Sometimes students with disabilities are less so, and their "bullying" approach earns them no friends. One's approach to managing disability falls under the category of "professionalism", which is actually kind of a buzzword in med school. Good luck.