Leaving School

[Meikster]

Hi guys, I haven't been on here for a while as I'm busy preparing for my final exams at High School [in Scotland the education system is different, you don't graduate] so I've been occupied. But now I'm coming to a point in my life which for many Moebians is one of the most daunting. Leaving the secure school environment and venturing forth into a world which is prejudiced and more often than not puts looks before personality.

To all you adult Moebians, how did you feel when left school? Do you find life to have improved since you left school? Can you give me any advice on what to do next?

[starlight1]

Hi,

I'm in England, so I guess there may be slight differences. That said, I left school in the late 70s and some would say that attitudes have changed; on the surface perhaps.

Anyway, I left school and went to university. This was a great. It ended the stupid questions about my eyes. Oh, I should explain, they look closed, of course I don't have good eyesight but in places I know its no big problem. It also meant that people were more mature and that ended a lot of personal questions.

Oh, you have to get use to a new place, new people etc., but so do all your fellow freshers.

Unfortunately, the job market is not so understanding. I do not care what people say about equality, they do not like different, especially disabilities they know nothing about. For many years my condition had no name. Even today the number of GPs who have heard of moebius is tiny.

There used to be a 'joke', nobody got fired for buying IBM, because it was well known. Well nobody gets fires for not taking a chance with a disability they know nothing about.

OK, that's very downbeat. Work out what to say to people, I'm sure by now you have a basic answer worked out. Don't give up, and remember leaving school is a natural progression.

Good luck.