BWAP: How to study engineering with Dysautonomia or another invisible condition?
I want to share the details of a very special meeting I had at the School of Engineering of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.
The main objective of this meeting was to address the question "How to study engineering with Dysautonomia or another invisible condition?" I wanted to raise awareness about this condition and highlight the importance of understanding it and having a support group.
The meeting was attended by the Student Center of the Engineering Research Major at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, engineering students, and I was honored to have Jean Ruiz covering the event.
During the discussion, I talked about various topics related to this question. I started by mentioning some statistics from the World Health Organization that reveal that 80% of disabilities are not visible to the naked eye. Additionally, approximately 1 in 7 people may have a disability, which could be related to mental health, chronic illnesses, neurological disorders, or others.
Next, I focused on explaining what Dysautonomia is and its 7 symptoms according to the "American Autonomic Society." I discussed dizziness, difficulty standing up, palpitations or tachycardia, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, nausea or digestive system problems, and respiratory difficulties.
I also shared the "Survival Kit" that our founder and engineer used to use while studying at the university. I also gave advice on how to maintain concentration and manage studies. I talked about the importance of forming a support network, communicating with professors and peers, organizing time and prioritizing tasks, adding emergency contacts to the phone, and carrying identification with the condition.
The meeting was very interactive, and I had the opportunity to answer questions from attendees. One of the topics I addressed was what to do in case someone feels like they're going to faint.
Everyone enjoyed the meeting, we shared a delicious lunch, and, furthermore, this was an opportunity for students to open up and share with their groups of friends who have an invisible condition.
I am very pleased with the results and conclusions of this meeting. I will continue working to raise awareness about invisible conditions and provide support to those facing them in their academic and personal lives.
If you have any questions or need more information, please don't hesitate to contact me. Let's continue building together a more inclusive and supportive world!
A turquoise hug to everyone!
Lots of love, Chile.
