Scoliosis a deformity?
By lovelyvelle
@lovelyvelle (639)
November 24, 2008 5:25pm CST
As you can see on my photo, my back is very badly deformed and this is the only reason that they University turned me down. After I had been enrolled and passed the entrance exam to take up a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and paid the whole semester, I went in for my first day in the class at the University. Then the dean called me and told me that I should take up other course because they can't accept a student who has deformity to take up the course of Nursing. So in your own eyes and opinions is scoliosis a deformity? Are people who have scoliosis should not be involve or allowed to take up medical related (healthcare)courses?
4 people like this
5 responses
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
24 Nov 08
Scoliosis is a deformity of the spine. There is really no denying that. I makes you no less a lovely person, of course!
Nursing involves not only medical knowledge (which I am quite sure you'd shine at) but a lot of physical work as well. Until they (and you) know whether or not you would be capable of that, they really have no right to stop you taking a nursing course.
If they are asking you to aim lower, aim higher. Why a nurse? Why not a pharmacist or a doctor?
1 person likes this
@lovelyvelle (639)
•
24 Nov 08
Unfortunately, I just realised that the University where I enrolled had very high standard because I even insist myself to take up Medical Technology instead but they didn't even let me, because they don't want to produce students who has deformities. And their school is not for disabled person or for people who have deformities. So at that time I got discouraged with my life I thought my world would end up there.
1 person likes this
@lovelyvelle (639)
•
25 Nov 08
I came from the Philippines, I am talking about the University of the Philippines where I enrolled. But they didn't let me have the course I wanted to take up. I do really love the field in healthcare, and yes you're right, now I am given a big opportunity here in the UK to take up what I want, so far I am working in a Nursing home. I just can't believe that I was discriminated in my own country! Having this big opportunity here in the UK, and I am grateful for it.
@metschica25 (5399)
• United States
25 Nov 08
I am sorry you have scoliosis and that should not be a reason for you not to be in the schooling to become a nurse . you would make a great nurse and be very kind to the people you worked with . you already were in the class and it just not seem fair . you should have rights and i would fight ! that is wrong ! and something has to be done . having that does not make you less of a person it just might have made life harder because of mean people .
@lovelyvelle (639)
•
25 Nov 08
Well, on that day when they turned me down, my sponsor (the person who support my studies) who is an american man, told me that I should fight for it and would sue them because it was a discrimination. So I did, but because that dean of the University is very powerful it seems like she runs the whole University, I was not heard about my complaints against them. One day when I go back home I can proudly show them that my deformity didn't stop me to dream to become a Nurse, as of now I am taking up my Healthcare related course in the UK. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
25 Nov 08
This is very discriminatory of the dean to deny you the education of your choice. Sorry to hear that this has happened to you. Having scoliosis shouldn't hinder your becoming a nurse.
@lovelyvelle (639)
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25 Nov 08
The fact is they judged me on how I looked like, they didn't even give me the chance to do what I can. I passed the examinations in order to be able to take the course but in the end they turned me down because when they asked me to stand up straight my shoulders weren't level and my body wasn't straight. So they said I didn't meet the requirements to become a student of a Nursing course. I thought that day my world would end, but now I can proudly go back to that University and show them that I am a better person than what they thought I was.
@hildas (3031)
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25 Nov 08
I am sorry you have scoliosis. I think this university is very unfair not letting you do this course. Is this not discrimination? I know nursing requires lifting and things, but this is awful telling you they cannot accept you because of this. I feel sorry that your talent and helpfulness has been wasted to them.
I have never heard such a thing before. Is this in the rules of this place only or is it in the whole of medical training. Mt doctor has a few things like this wrong with her and shes in this profession, but maybe the UK is different.
I would try to find out more about this and seek proper advice from someone. I wish you luck on it and keep in touch and let me know the outcome.
@lovelyvelle (639)
•
25 Nov 08
It's alright, cheers Hildas! Yes it's a big discrimination, because in the Philippines to become a Nurse or to be able to take up Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the Universities, has very high standards. They based it on how you look or you how stand up, and when you have deformities or disabilities you are not allowed to become a Nurse or other Medical courses. Even in the society I grew up they called it a big deformity (hunchback)and also called me a disabled person, but that didn't stop for who I am now.
@Darryl312 (29)
• United States
29 Jan 10
I doubt there should be any reason to exclude you medical practice, unless liability issues if you are picking up patients and somehow because of the improper spinal curvatures they think it'll cause a back problem to flare up.
I would take a picture with you trying to touch your toes and there's multiple types of scoliosis - some more severe than others and only show up when you bend downward.
If you have it, it may be helpful to check a vestibular doctor, as much of the newest and ongoing research is starting to say that a type of scoliosis (something like 70% of the people with scoliosis have it), are based on an inner ear (vestibular disorder), rather than a physical or genetic deformity.
