Ok I need some input.  Even though I am newly diagnosed as epileptic, should
I be covered under the ADA?  Is epilepsy considered a disability?  The only
reason I ask is because I got kicked out of my dance class last week.  This
is what my modern dance teacher told me after she pulled me out to the
hallway. "Your hands curl up all the time and it's a HUGE distraction to
everyone.  Everyone stares as soon as they curl and lose concentration.  You
come and go as you please, and that's a HUGE distraction."  (Let me just
clarify this.  She makes no sense saying that because yes, I did leave class
once that day because w/my new meds, I thought I was going to get sick.  what
am I supposed to do?  throw up in class?  would that not be a HUGE
distraction? And for the record, this was the one and only time I have EVER
left her class and come back to join back in.) She told me "when my arms curl
up, I can't do the full complete movements."  So yes, I was very upset.
surprised in the first place that she took me out of class to tell me this.
I was crying because i was upset.  ANd then I let it slip that I had epilepsy
and i just found out about it.  And her response was, "Well then you
shouldn't be dancing!"  She told me she didn't want me in her classes and she
was "going through the proper channels" to make sure i couldn't come back.  I
also need to mention that just before this incident, she totally blew up at
our class and went off.  for what?  I do not know but she hates our class.
Is this not discrimination?  If she tells me I can't be in class because "my
arms curl up" which is actually a simple partial seizure, THAT is
discrimination against my medical condition.

I spent this last week going to everyone to figure out what my rights as a
student are.  I went to department heads, my dean, disability services, etc.
So now, I really need to know about my rights with this disorder.  I am
definetely not being treated fairly, and I need to know if I can justify
myself and bring ADA into it or not.  The center for disabilities on campus
told me that the way my doctor worded his statement to her meant that I don't
have a disability because I have no restrictions.  Even though I can't drive,
etc.  And she brought that up also because he wrote "partial epilepsy."
Earlier in the paper he wrote "mixed epilepsy."  I know he wrote I should be
fine to dance because I told him I got kicked out of classes before.  I just
don't think he thought about how to write this to fight with the school.  Why
should I be denied the education I want because of this disorder that I was
JUST diagnosed with last week?  Oh, and one more thing.  2 of my other dance
teachers that this lady obviously talked to, told me "well you shouldn't be
dancing just starting meds because meds do things to your body."  um?? I told
one that side effects made me a little nauseous because I am just starting
them.  So, do they have a right to tell me that?  One told me, "I don't want
you in my class puking."  And in the dance world, as a dance major, we are
only allowed 2 excused absences for whatever reason.  They don't care but
after 2, our grade automatically lowers.  So, yes people will come to class
sick.  ANd others have.  And others have indeed left to go throw up before.
So......why am I being discriminated against?  I need help!