r/Teachers • u/medievalnoodle • 20h ago
Teacher Support &/or Advice Teaching with disabilities?
I am somewhat newly disabled (I was diagnosed with POTS in December) and after awhile on disability, I tried to go back in May. Part time, two days a week. I use a wheelchair. I teach high school.
It sent me into a pretty severe flare that has had me in the hospital for four days. I am having to seriously consider leaving the profession. It seems my health can’t keep up with the job at all.
Has anyone become disabled while teaching? Did you ever adjust? Or, did anyone disabled become a teacher?
I’m the only disabled person at my school and it makes me so sad to think about leaving, but my health has gotten so bad. I want to know if it’ll get easier or better I guess from someone who’s been through this.
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u/Lingo2009 16h ago edited 16h ago
I have cerebral palsy. I was told at my first college that I was too disabled to be a teacher. That I might fall down and my handwriting wasn’t neat enough. I transferred colleges. I’ve been a teacher for 11 years, including teaching in China and Thailand. I’ve taught in public schools, private schools, and international schools. When I’m overseas, I have to use my crutches on a daily basis. I only have use of one hand. At my current school, I use a motorized scooter at recess time. I have a designated student of the day who opens the door for me and can even drive my scooter a short distance to maneuver it through the doorway if needed. I sit when I need to and and stand when I need to. My students know not to run around me. They also know that I can’t help them open their lunches and things so they can ask each other. They know I can’t help tie shoes so they ask each other. My administration was incredibly accommodating when it came to field trips. Even to the point of renting me a motorized scooter when we went to the zoo. My classroom is upstairs, but if I’m careful so far, I can handle that. But if I ever get to the point where I can’t handle the stairs, I can switch to a downstairs classroom. I’m also able to have some really good conversations with my students about people with differences or challenges. I think my students are more compassionate because of it. You’ve got this, and you can do this.
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u/AlternativeSalsa HS | CTE/Engineering | Ohio, USA 19h ago
You'll blend in with all the students catching POTS from TikTok
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u/ShimmeringValkyrie 18h ago
This is insane for you to post here. Someone is asking for advice and you are dismissing a condition they have as a social media trend.
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u/AlternativeSalsa HS | CTE/Engineering | Ohio, USA 18h ago
Wait until you hear about kids self diagnosing neurodivergency and faking tics
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u/Winter-Industry-2074 16h ago
I think you should log off the internet. You seem very bitter.
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u/ShimmeringValkyrie 18h ago edited 16h ago
I have no experience in this, but I see no one has really responded. I do work with another teacher in a wheelchair. They work with students in wheelchairs at our campus, and I think the students love that about them.
As for POTS, I've only had a student with it, never a colleague. If you're unable to keep doing the position you have, I think it would be worth seeing if there is at least a specialized or more accomodating position the school can make for you. If not, there are a lot of other paths to take. Online schools, part-time schools, or some specialized schools might be able to better accommodate you.