[Image: 6-piece blue colored background with a Siamese cat.Text reads: “File with disability office at school due to chronic migraines. ‘It’s just a headache, you’re not entitled to any accommodations.’”]

After being told in about February of  my Senior year of high school that I would have my credits withheld if I missed anymore days of school, I filed for and was granted a 504ADA. I was able to transfer it to the County College I went to. When I transferred to a 4-year University, I had no problems with the disability office the 1st semester. However, the next semester there was a new supervisor who told me that I just needed to get over it. My school has a policy that if a student misses 2 classes the teacher is entitled to mark their final grade down by a full letter. The only accommodation I needed was for this policy to not apply to me because of my inability to attend class because of either A) the pain or B) the effects of my rescue meds.

The fact that my rescue meds had narcotics didn’t mean anything to him. Regardless of providing all of the paperwork, he told me I wasn’t entitled to any accommodations because my grades were good and I should just be able to take a Tylenol and get on with my day. I’m graduating in May and have had to advocate for myself among my professors who have been very understanding.

[Image: 6-piece blue colored background with a Siamese cat.Text reads: “College doesn’t recognize migraines as a disability. Frequently wear sunglasses to class.”]

When I feel a migraine coming on or already have a headache, I’ve been known to sit through a lecture with my sunglasses on. My professors have come to learn that I’m not trying to sleep through class, but that I might start to cry if I have to be fully exposed to the lighting.