PA program with a disability

[kmitz]

I have difficulty standing for long periods of time due to a triple level lumbar spinal fusion that failed to resolve my chronic back pain. It is not uncommon for me to need to sit down for a minute every 10 to 15 minutes or so. After that, I am back up and moving. Is it unrealistic to attempt PA school with such a disability? Do you think a PA program could make accommodations for my needs while I pursue my education? If so, will I still be able to participate fully and get the experience I need in order to become an effective PA? What part of the program do you feel will be the most difficult for me given my physical limitations?

[PaulK]

Anything is possible, but this would be very tough. PA school requires quite a bit of sitting through lecture, particularly during the first year. I doubt any of your profs would mind if you sat in the back, but I work with people with multilevel fusions and I can't imagine you going through school without a lot of pain and intermittent flareups that would take you out of class for days at a time.