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Avatar universal

Do I need a wheelchair?

Hi I'm 16 years old and have been fighting an abnormal energy level for years now. It's a little less severe than mono. I was told once that with my specific case, I have to "spend my energy wisely". So, in school I'm spending physicall energy just walking from class to class, then my mental energy during class, and my social energy to talk to friends. I also do after school activities, so I try to save most of my energy for after school. I was wondering tho, if I used a wheelchair most of the day, would I save enough energy to do after school activities and homewok and chores? I don't want a wheelchair of course, but if it gives me the energy i need, then should i try it?
Opinions are welcome.
Thank you
4 Responses
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Avatar universal
I know these things ... I'm just desperate for some relief. Thanks anyway.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I found your post a bit ironic; most kids who have issues with energy as you are describing, not only WOULDN'T want a wheelchair, they would not be able to have the afterschool activities you say you are involved in. Having raised a very sick daughter who had terminal heart disease as well as Juvenile Rhuematoid Arthritis and muscle weakness problems, as tired as she was all the time, she would have never agreed to a wheelchair! She lost all of the friends she had because she couldn't keep up. I can tell you that if you consider the idea of a wheelchair, you may find your social life is going to suffer greatly because you will be "different". That's somewhere you don't want to go because these are the best times in your life for making solid friendships. A wheelchair can be a pain in the butt for getting around in and for just dealing with. If you think you lack energy right now, wait til you try and push yourself around in a chair; I doubt any insurance company will pay for an electric chair without a clear cut diagnoses of a neurological illness such as a dystrohy. As I wrote in an earlier post; your tiredness may be due to a lack of 8-9 hours of good solid sleep every night. Teens are famous for burning the candlelight! It is during the time of sleep that the muscles of the body repair themselves. See a doctor about how you feel; I'm not sure I would discuss a wheelchair with the doctor, though..  
Helpful - 0
1170694 tn?1285097509
A0M
I have a 504, this helps me keep my grades up and not push myself. Also even if you are not walking from class to class you will find yourself completely tired. So I don't think a wheelchair is going to do much, but be a pain. Which then takes more energy.
Helpful - 0
696755 tn?1236016312
I think you should have a visit with your family doctor and see what he/she thinks about it. You may receive a diagnosis or some tests in which case a wheelchair may not be necessary if they figure out how to fix the problem. Or if the doctor doesn't know the diagnosis (at least not right away), you should ask his/her opinion on getting a wheelchair. Best of luck!
Helpful - 0
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