You Can...Handle Going to School
SOURCE: www.NationalMSSociety
Whether it's grammar school, high school, or college, school means
increased stress, fatigue, and possibly cognitive challenges. You CAN
handle the challenge.
If you're a student with MS, You CAN:
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Incorporate rest periods into your schedule—and rest before
you get tired.
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Take an exercise class or a daily walk or speak with your health
care professional about an exercise program.
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Plan ahead so you're not caught needing an all-nighter to study for
a test or write a paper.
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Ask your teacher about any accommodations you need, like using a
digital recorder in class.
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Get together with your friends.
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Consider getting an extra set of textbooks (one for school and one
for home) so you don't have so much in your backpack.
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If you're a parent with MS, You CAN help your children be good
students:
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Plan ahead for their extracurricular activities.
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Plan how to provide homework help by yourself or by enlisting
others.
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Schedule your day to include rest before you get tired.
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Plan some exercise every day. It may be stretching, yoga, or
taking a walk.
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Ask for help when you need it with tasks like picking up children
from school or activities.
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Work together with your children to prevent unwelcome surprises,
like friends invited at the last minute for dinner.
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Spend some weekend time as a family planning and fixing meals for
the week.
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Do other chores as a family too—cleaning up, yard work, laundry.
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Spread meal preparation over the day to decrease fatigue.
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If you're a parent of a student with MS, You CAN:
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Make sure your child's health-care team knows about school
expectations and school problems.
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Make sure school officials know about your child's symptoms and the
need for privacy and discuss any necessary accommodations.
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Get involved with school activities; meet other parents and
teachers.
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Ask the National MS Society for materials to educate school staff
about MS.
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Contributing editors: Brian Hutchinson, PT, President, The Heuga
Center; Momentum Magazine, Staff
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