Before the global pandemic, family life had more structure. Many parents went to work somewhere other than home. Children went to school at school.
New conditions bring new challenges, says Lorrie Gray, a Los Angeles-based life coach, who works with chronic illness patients and manages a chronic illness herself. Here’s her advice for managing the school year:
1. When problem-solving, Gray recommends staying open to a wide variety of solutions.
2. For parents and kids living with rare or serious illness, listen to your body, Gray says.
3. Give yourself options, Gray says, because “some days are going to go smoothly and some will be a total train wreck.”
Aside from COVID-19, school can present challenges for kids who are managing rare and serious diseases. These patient advocacy groups have school guides to help create conditions to keep your child healthy and engaged in learning.
The Immune Deficiency Foundation School Guide
Hemophilia and School: Developing an Individualized Healthcare Plan
The Child with a Bleeding Disorder: First Aid for School Personnel
Study Life from the U.S. Hereditary Angioedema Association
