Article~Law Student's Debt Forgiven Over Asperger's Syndrome

[Guest guest]

PS: I would be interested in your comments over this court decision and not the

media's slant on this. Always fact check the media. just me.

Best.

[Guest guest]

The bank should have hired a lawyer with Aspergers to defend against the

discharge. There are certainly plenty around : ).

Re: Re: Article~Law Student's Debt Forgiven

Over Asperger's Syndrome

 

gcaspiesinchatt wrote:

> I'm all for it. I posted this on my group's FB site as well about

> the article. I think it's a victory for autistic adults (namely

> anyone who is high functioning) to do this.

>

>

In my view, NOT a victory at all - for anyone other than the erstwhile

(and hapless) student.

The obvious losers are the ones will NOT recover the money loaned.

Of course the judgement becomes part of " case law " . It can and will be

used by attorneys and courts everywhere -- in a wide variety of legal

situations, some inappropriately.

*Those* will get " press " too, furthering an impression of risk when

dealing with AS people.

Ultimately, I see potential employers (and others) more and more shying

away from AS people. " Why take the risk " , I hear them saying. In the

end, not at all a victory for *us*.

- Bill, ...AS

>

>

>> Law Student's Debt Forgiven Over Asperger's Syndrome

>>

http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/dpps/news/law-student-debt-forgiven-over-aspergers-d\

pgonc-20120522-kh_20151648

>> Comments?

>>

--

WD " Bill " Loughman - Berkeley, California USA

http://home.earthlink.net/~wdloughman/wdl.htm

[Guest guest]

M wrote, " My question very much tracks that of the first commenter: What

in the world was going on in this person's family or support system to have

allowed this degree of imbecility to have run unchecked for so long? "

I have Bipolar I. I defaulted on a $3K loan in the early 90s due to my illness,

and have since payed it back. I was just about homeless and barely knew what

planet I was on. I managed to dodge being tossed into the State's psych

hospital. Hot, hot mess. The guilty I felt getting the loan forgiven was huge. I

never felt like a bigger waste of oxygen and skin.

Student Services at my university, totally did not give anyone a reality check

with " is there any chance you can get a job, in your major, with all the

supports in need? " . I signed up, then promptly dropped out of Student Services.

I could have had unlimited testing time. A separate room for testing. A whole

slew of accommodations that would NEVER EVER be an option in the real world of

my major, Chemistry.

I made it through 3 1/2 years before a manic meltdown and medication change,

pretty much snuffed out the dream. Yeah, I could have finished up, but none of

the professors would give me a letter of recommendation for grad school. My

interest, (physical chemistry) is a small field, and all the big muckity mucks

knowing each other. I would rather flame out with 3K in loans, than be in

graduate school with 20K+ worth of loans, no degree and no way to pay it back.

My crash and burn was more when (now or later), than if it would happen at all.

In a way, the no degree is a blessing. I have a job now that needs a AS degree.

Because I don't not have a degree, I qualify for grants and such. My moods are

stable for 8+ years. I got my job 9 months ago, in a job market that is absolute

ghastly. I've managed with no special treatment from my boss. That doesn't make

me outstanding. It is a combination of good luck, and old age. Old age letting

me see my past mistakes, and not repeating them.

On the ASD side, my friend's son has a BA in history, and is 28 years old. Can't

get into graduate school. Can't make it through an interview (Aspie). About 30K

in student loans. He is now studying to be a plumber. She told her son, " Toilets

clog, pipes break, there will always be a need for someone to fix that. " His

instructors love him as his attention to detail is first rate. Tai (not his real

name) already has a job lined up when he is done.

Is it as " glamorous " as a history major? Guessing most would say not, but he

will be making much more money, get the loan monkey off his back, and his mom

can worry a bit less.

In American, we always dream big. Anyone can be anything if you just try hard

enough. You always hear the success stories, but never see the huge, huge pile

of crash and burns. I believe no one wanted to kill that woman's dream of being

a lawyer. The colleges won't kill the dream as there is plenty of money to be

had. (especially law school). What social worker/case worker/family member wants

to be a buzz kill asking, " Is this realistic? " . Student loans are nothing but

bets, anyway. I know plenty of NTs that can't jobs with majors in Education,

nursing, Women's studies, biology etc. They can pay a little on their loans

because they have cobbled together 2 to 3 jobs together.

Nan