A Chronic High School life

By Ellie Johnson

December 18, 2025, 10:00 a.m.

Growing up, kids are shown many movies depicting life as a high school student. From singing about not letting singing distract us, to discovering other worlds and fighting monsters, we all learn that none of those are accurate. Teen Wolf, a great group of friends, but werewolves not so much. Stranger Things, another great group of friends who face many challenges, but traveling to another dimension is just not a challenge most teens face. On the flip side, though, we have movies like Dear Evan Hansen, The Fault in Our Stars, and Five Feet Apart, all digging into harder, deeper topics. 

One topic that is rarely talked about, however, is the life-threatening afflictions that can change a life in an instant: chronic illness. A diagnosis that can last for years or the rest of your life, with little to no cures. Suffering from chronic illness is a harsh reality for many, and having it at any age is incredibly challenging, but a diagnosis as a teen—being told your whole life trajectory needs to change—is something no movie could ever prepare for. 

Annalise Longsdon is a sophomore at FHS who was diagnosed in 9th grade with a spinal injury. In just a quick second, her life turned around: she wasn't able to participate in track anymore. A sport she loved, but that wasn't it; it was more than being told no to a sport she loved; it was being told and not given a chance, and watching others do what she loved. 

When asked about the most upsetting part of this new challenge, Longsdon replied, “Being constricted by an injury is so discouraging–watching people advance, while I'm still stuck with the same old injury.” 

After breaking a bone, rest and physical therapy are required for approximately 3 months, but by the fourth or fifth month, many are able to return to their normal activities. However, when an injury becomes chronic, it is difficult to tell when–or if–full recovery is a realistic possibility. 

Longsdon commented on the hardest part of managing a chronic illness and high school, saying that, “It takes up so much of my free time. Having constant doctor appointments leaves me with minimal time to do my schoolwork.” High school can already be a huge workload for most, and missing even one day of school can quickly lower a student’s grades. 

Having accommodations can truly change a day for someone. Simply offering someone assistance–making sure they feel seen–can easily brighten their day. However, most of the time, people with chronic illnesses have to exist without proper accommodations being met. Furthermore, accommodations may feel embarrassing for many, discouraging some from ever asking for them.

“Something I wish my teachers knew is that I don't want to have my accommodations as much as they don't want to provide them. If I did not have to deal with a spinal injury regularly, I would trade it for my accommodations any day”. 

Students are not the only ones in high schools facing difficulties due to chronic illnesses. Ms. Stoker, an anatomy and physiology teacher, is diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and mixed connective tissue disease. 

“Schools operate on a very regimented schedule–there are definitive start and end dates,” noted Ms. Stoker, and she went on to explain how chronic illnesses often are unpredictable and once one 'flares', it can be hard to achieve remission.

“Trying to stay on schedule while dealing with the illness is challenging,” Ms. Stoker added.

In order to make school environments more hospitable and accessible for individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses, it is imperative to take their perspectives and needs into account.

Fayetteville High School, which boasts 5 floors and three separate buildings, can be difficult to navigate without appropriate accommodations for accessibility. 

“Add an awning over the wheelchair ramp in the breezeway or add a ramp under the existing cover,” suggested Ms. Stoker.

Furthermore, prioritizing regular maintenance of the elevator systems to prevent frequent inoperability will ensure staff and students are able to focus on their work or education, as opposed to worrying about running late to class or meetings.

“The elevators work so poorly and regularly affect my education by making me late to class or causing me pain by forcing me to use the stairs,” Longsdon remarked. 

Chronic illnesses are not rare, with about six in ten Americans living with at least one. There is no reason these setbacks should prevent students from performing at the same level as their peers. The ability for change exists, but the willingness needs to as well.