Mike Smith:
As homeschooling grows, our awareness of homeschooling special-needs children has risen. There are support groups and literature on homeschooling children who have disabilities. But what about when the homeschooling parent struggles with illness? This week, we’ll consider some of the challenges and rewards of homeschooling through a chronic illness or disability.

Homeschooling with a disability can be a real challenge—especially if you’re the primary teacher in your homeschool. Apart from the visible effects of disability, chronic pain and exhaustion are often present. These invisible aspects can be just as difficult to manage as the noticeable challenges—especially if people around you don’t understand how your condition affects you.

The physical impact of a long-term illness is obvious, but there can be emotional effects as well. A homeschooling parent struggling with disease may suffer from discouragement. Homeschooling takes great effort in the best of times; in poor health, it can be daunting.

Homeschooling parents with a chronic condition may also deal with isolation. It can be hard for them to get out to support group meetings or conferences.

As we’ll learn this week, the good news is that, with realistic expectations and a little support, parents with disabilities can keep homeschooling.