Just wondered if anyone could offer any suggestions as how to advise my 16 year old (the one who 'doesn't do dogs)
He always wanted to join the army and went on a weeks course which he loved, passed his entry test and preliminary interviews but when he went to his 2 day assessment he failed his medical on ?Raynauds which is a circulatory disorder. He is GUTTED. The next thought was enrolling as a police cadet for a year and then join the force but I have just spoke to their Occupational heath and Raynauds is also a block there.
He suffers no pain or numbness just discoloration when his hands are cold so he feels ' cheated'
He is not very academic and will probably get c's and d's at gsce. So he is due to leave school soon with nowhere to go and feeling victimised at possibly having this condition.
We have looked on the internet but diagnosis only seems to be by clinical sighns and not be a test to confirm it. How do they know it is not just poor circulation.
He is very athletic in all the sports teams and has played football for years.
He is actually pretty good and that seems to be the only other career move he can think of but just being pretty good is not enough, you need something extra. He is going to write to some football clubs but its a long shot.
i don't know what else to suggest.
Any help really appreciated.
Sue

Hi Sue

Sorry to hear about your son's situation, it must be really disappointing for him. I'm presuming that the army's concern about Raynauds is because your son may be more vulnerable than others if obliged to endure (for instance) very cold conditions for long periods of time? If so, then perhaps he has been refused for his own welfare - if not - it would be interesting to find out the reasons. If you are clear about why the army is concerned about the condition, it might be possible to manage it in such a way that your son can demonstrate that it doesn't adversely affect his performance.

Is there perhaps another aspect of army service that your son could apply for? Seeing as he has passed the "tough" bit of the application procedure he's obviously what they're after - perhaps it would be worth having a chat with an army careers officer and seeing whether there are any other options available.

Just some thoughts.

Good luck to your son!

Jo

My nephew was dropped by the Marines when he was found to have a problem that he had been unaware of in his leg ?capsule syndrome, it was more of a potential problem also. Anyway, he was told that the Navy would be interested as their physical requirements were not so arduous, he decided not to pursue it but it might be of interest to you.

Thanks but he was not so keen on the navy idea. However things have changed slightly since my post. I have just spoken to our GP who says that the blood test she did revealed nothing of significance and having seen severe cases in clinic she really feels it is not Raynauds. Anyway she is doing a supporting letter and we are going to appeal against their decision. So it is wait and see again
Sue

Good luck Sue, I'm sure the GPs input will be helpfull.

Good luck for your son, Sue.
My own went for the two day induction back in November. I remember him saying that, of the 57 recruits to start the training, only 7 (son inc'd) passed through the full 2 days. Almost all of the 50 were failed medically. It seems the the British Army tests are very stringent from what my son said.