One of the most difficult things for me in dealing with my disability is not being able to do as much as I used to. Not only that, but with my commitment to my school work, it’s difficult to make time for much else. It’s so disappointing to be invited to things and to have to tell people that I can’t because I’m behind on school work. I want to have a life outside of school work, but at this point in my life I can’t seem to do that.

It’s especially hard to explain this sentiment to others who can’t understand why I can’t go to things. Trust me, I want to go out and have fun. I just don’t have the time or the energy most days, and I’m so behind that I really can’t afford to have fun.

ButYouDon’tLookSick has an article on being a student with fibromyalgia, chronic pain, or chronic fatigue that is worth checking out not only for those of us living with the condition but also for those who know someone who does. The part about learning a language is especially interesting to me. I used to be so good at Spanish in high school. Once the fibromyalgia really hit me though, language in general has been of the utmost difficulty. Fibro fog–the term from which this blog came–has made me feel less intelligent. I can’t even remember simple words most days. One day I couldn’t think of the word “shirt”.

All this makes homework a much more drawn out process. Some days I don’t even have the energy to work on my homework at all. I guess I just wish that those of us living with these conditions could help people to understand that we’re not blowing them off, that we really just can’t do some things.