I can relate I still teach 2nd grade. What grade are you teaching? The lower grades are tough. You are always on your feet, bending over etc.

I asked my administration for accommodations based on the Americans Disability Act. (go to askjan.org) I do not do yard duty, on bad days a neighboring teacher can walk out to the playground and get my kids from the playground when she is getting hers (long walk when you have limited energy, I am allowed to lay down in the staff conference room during lunch if needed, and I am allowed to sit as much as possible without repercussions. It's the law. They have even offered me a scooter to use. These few things help a lot.

I teach a mixed class. 1,2,4,5, and k. It's really tough because I have different grades at the same time. I did tell my administration about my fibro, but they never really said anything. They just don't seem to understand. It feels like no one does. It's getting harder and harder each day. I appreciate your message. I may have to ask for some accommodations. Recess duty is really tough in the hot Georgia sun. We aren't supposed to even sit, but I think I'm going to tell them I need to. I sure appreciate all the support I get here. Gentle hugs! Thank you!

Just thinking...I understand about losing friends, too. I can't keep up. So friends want to do things, and really, I can't. Really stinks. I still grieve, though that's improved. A couple of friends get it, and we hang out. Sad, though. I'm very sorry Patty xx

Hi Patty and everyone
Sorry I haven't posted in a while but life just got crazy busy here with one thing and another, flying back and forth to NZ, and also dealing with my beloved mother being diagnosed with cancer.

Just wanted to comment that I teach too, but have found out a way of managing it that really works for me. I was off work and on insurance payments for years after my accident and Fibro diagnosis. I tried 11 times to return to my old job as an EA, but just couldnt sit at a desk for 8 hours a day. After hitting many brick walls trying to retrain and finding the money to pay for teacher training, I finally got a small loan in early 2013 and went back to college for one semester to train as a Language Teacher.

This step changed my life: I now manage to work part time and earn enough to live on, while getting out each day and meeting people. I lecture at the local university for two mornings a week (I teach Business English to German Management students) and then I teach in private companies for a few hours in the late afternoon.
My partner found us an apartment to rent right next to the University, which means I can stagger home after a morning of lectures and crash on the couch for a few hours with a heat pack to relieve the pain, before going back to work later in the day. I dont know how I would get by if we didn't live so close to my workplace and I didn't have a partner who also works part time and can do most of the cooking and shopping, but we certainly have our "melt-down' moments when we over do it, as he works three part time jobs and we have also been running teaching workshops together at weekends.
It's taken years to get the balance right with working enough to earn enough, and not too much that I get burnt out and exhausted.
I have learnt to say 'no' to taking on work that will take me over my limit and I have focused on specialising in Business and Technical English for the workplace, which is usually paid better than teaching general English in public schools and adult education centres.

I don't know your situation so much, but is there any way you could switch to Adult Education? maybe specialising in a certain area so you could reduce your teaching hours while still getting out and about and working?
I really admire and respect any of you dealing with pain and Fibro and trying to teach a classroom of kids each day!

Best wishes and I hope you can find a good solution somehow - hang on in there (your kids sound lovely too :))

Carmel