Hi,

I wanted to say I agree with the others that you DO need to get out and do things, even if it is just once in a while... although I know it is easier said than done.

I'm 18 and have been ill since I was 12. I spent over a year in a wheelchair unable to walk, having to attend hospital at least twice a week for PT. Because of this I couldn't attend school (my teachers said it wasn't safe for me to attend - there was no lifts etc). My so called 'friends' didn't come by to see how I was or even email to ask if I wanted to do anything. It stressed me out because even though I wasn't well, I was still the same person and still wanted to do things people my age did (of what I was able to anyways).

I eventually learnt how to walk again but was in so much pain I couldn't attend full time school... plus my school said my attendance would be too bad to attend mainstream school. My parents fought for me to go to a school centre that was for children with physical disabilities (not mental) or that simply couldn't go to school for one reason or another (bullying, being a carer to parents etc). At this centre I met many new people and made new friends and slowly started doing activities people my age do.

The year I spent isolated, unable to walk and on my own with only my parents for support really made me depressed. It is because of that reason I now try and go out when I can to see my friends and have as much of a 'normal' life as possible. Yes i'm still ill and yes I have to pay for having fun sometimes for several days afterwards but its worth it. Plus going out sometimes helps you 'forget' about some of the symptoms for a little while.

I KNOW its hard to force yourself into doing something when you really don't feel well or just like your own company but please listen to what your family are telling you. You only live once but if you do it right, once is enough (even with an illness). Do things that you are able to, don't feel forced into running a marathon or something but please don't look back on life when your older thinking to yourself 'I wish I did things when I was younger' because you will regret it... I know I regret not going out when I was unable to walk and keeping in contact with friends as I missed out on a lot of my childhood because of it.

Take care
Alison