School is difficult for many students. Unfortunately when you add a chronic illness to the list of stresses, it get’s even more difficult. I know this personally, as a 17 year old teenager with Psoriatic Arthritis I have to deal with many issues that make school even harder for me.

I was homeschooled for a long time and this semester I went back into public school. It would be difficult for anyone to adjust to a change as drastic as that, but it became even more difficult when I went through a flare. Days of
school passed and I kept missing them and soon I was notified by a certified letter that I failed a course in which I was only allowed to miss 10 days. As you can imagine this greatly upset me. Especially when I was under the
assumption that the school was going to help me since they knew I had a chronic illness. Thankfully after a great hassle, I appealed the failure and it was accepted.
From this whole occurrence though, I have learned a few things to help any of you who are attending school while dealing with a chronic illness.
1. Keep records
Keep a record of any absences you have as well as why you missed them. That way if they ask for reasons, you have the documentation and excuses ready.
2. Get excused absences
If you’re sick because of an illness, then either call or visit your doctor and get a written note excusing you from those absences. Also make sure you hand those notes in as soon as you return to school. This will save you a lot of hassle.
3. Get official documentation
If you are required to appeal an absence failure you will need a formal diagnosis note from your physician. It might also be wise if you give them one before any of your absences become excessive. This way you might head off any problems before the issue grows worse.
4. Talk with your school
It also might be wise if you and your parents talk to your nurse, principal and teachers. Inform them of your illness and try to seek a solution before your illness becomes an issue. If they know ahead of time, a plan of action can be achieved which will help you avoid any school issues, making things more difficult for you.
5. Use the government
The government has plans to protect people with disabilities. There’s both the 504 plan and the Individual Education Plan. Both of these are available to anyone who has a physical ailment that hinders with some form of daily
function. If school and other daily functions becomes more and more difficult then you need to consider one of these plans. Research these more completely in order to consider which one will work best for you.
These five tips are all very simple in some aspects and very useful. I wish I knew these things before my difficulties with school occurred. Now that my appeal went through you may think that my problems are solved. They are not though. I now must consider implementing the 504 plan or IEP so I won’t have to deal with another trying appeal process. Let me tell you, I completely understand the difficulties you may be facing in school. Don’t be discouraged though, I realize how important school is. I dream of being a doctor and I understand how much schooling and work that dream will require. Yet, I am willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that dream. So no matter what school difficulties you might be facing, work through them. Don’t ever give up. Your future is at stake. Just hold on to
your dreams. Everything will work out in the end.
Written by: Elisabeth Atkins, ,© 2006, www.butyoudontlooksick.com