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Many children like you who have M.E. cannot do their schoolwork because they feel too ill. You may start to worry about falling behind - feeling worried about this will only make your symptoms worse. Even more risky, you may be tempted to try to do too much too soon, which could make you even more ill.
Don't think you have to struggle on your own. It's important that you don't get worried and instead ask for help.
Remember not to push yourself too far. You must not think you will be able to do the same amount of work that you could do before you were ill. Using your brain to think about schoolwork and using your muscles to use the computer or write is tiring and uses up more energy than you might think.
It's important to pace yourself when you work, which means looking at the computer for a short amount of time then taking a break (go and lie down and close your eyes and rest your brain). You can then come back to the computer later. If you manage your work this way you will be able to do more than trying to work for the whole day then having to rest for the next couple of days as you recover.
Make sure you get the message across to your school that you are ill. It's important that all your teachers understand how your illness affects you - how the illness changes, how your energy levels go up and down, the importance of rest - these are all unusual things about your illness that teachers will not necessarily understand or have experienced.
What to do if your school is not supportive? Most schools are really supportive when their children are ill. However, we also know that some schools, for differing reasons, just don't give you the support you need. Your parents/ carers could contact the senior member of staff responsible for dealing with children who are ill. This could help smooth over any future problems.
If you experience further problems with your school contact your Local Education Authority (phone number in your Yellow Pages). They are the ones who make sure that you get the education and support that you are allowed to.
At this stage an Education Welfare Officer or Education Social Worker may become involved. Work closely with them to smooth out any problems before they become any bigger and always keep them up to date with information.
These education organisations are there to help you and your family/ carers cope with this difficult time and to make sure you get the education support you are allowed to. It is important to remember though nobody understands your illness like you do, so do not be pushed into doing work that you feel would harm your recovery.
Information produced February 2004
