Illness and online teaching

Is illness still a valid reason to miss teaching online? I would propose that yes, it is a valid reason. If you are sick enough that you are unable to focus, you should not be teaching any kind of material. I bring this up because today I am feeling sick. Sick from what? I am nauseous and unable to focus on almost anything. 

I canceled both my classes today and uploaded a video of the lesson in the moments when I felt good enough to do it. All my students and their parents were very compassionate and understanding. Part of the reason is probably because I have never missed a class and have been between 5-15 minutes early on a regular basis. 

Are you a bad teacher because you miss a class due to illness? No. Sometimes you just can't make it to class, no matter how badly you want to. 

Panic Attacks and College

I have panic attacks. Sometimes they happen when I'm doing the most mundane thing. For example: I can be doing homework and suddenly it will hit. I will worry about everyone I know, all the homework due, my Capstone project, and everything else I need to do this semester.

It is not a conscious choice. I usually breath heavily, my heart flutters like it wants to stop beating, my vision tunnels, and I need to sit very still. Sometimes I need to lay down, sometimes I need to knit, sometimes I need to sleep. At night, I usually pray as hard as I can until it's gone. That is generally the principle during the day as well.

How do I manage this in class? I start to doodle usually, or I focus on something else. Sometimes it is someone else's conversation, praying for someone elses problems, texting someone if it's before class or after class, or using other distraction techniques. Sometimes I also sit in the bathroom doing deep breathing exercises until it passes.

This semester I've already had 4 panic attacks. I could use prayers and if anyone has any techniques, I would be glad to hear them. 

Illness

For the past week I've had pneumonia. Ironically, this was the first illness where every professor had pity because of the coughing. All of them understand my asthma problems combined with pneumonia causes a gross and possibly deadly mix.

I went to the doctor because my father told me to. I was talking to him on the phone and he said, "Sam, you need to go to the doctor TODAY." So, I did as I was told. It was a good thing I did because I had a breathing treatment and a steroid shot. They also gave me a fever reducer to try and help, as I had an 102 fever.

I finished my steroid and I believe it is just the antibiotic I am finishing up. I still have the awful cough, but it is finally starting to go away. It is worst at night and first thing in the morning. But we're getting there.

I have also officially decided to switch majors. I am switching to a different school, it will be a general Bachelors of Science degree. I will also finish in the Spring of 2020.

I am hoping to work with the older Deaf community and be an advocate for their wellness and care. I am hoping that I can impact that community and cause their care to become superior.