I (23F) have various accommodations for my disability at my university. I am offered the opportunity to be transported around campus via golf cart, I receive specific housing with shower rails and a shower seat, and I am granted extra time to arrive at my classes. These accommodations are for the genetic disorder Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI).

Recently, I was talking with my friend about how grateful I am for the accommodation granting extra time to get to classes. She replied that I am lucky to have an “in” for accommodations, and then went on to imply that I’m cheating the system by utilizing these opportunities. I understand why she feels this way, and, frankly, I’m struggling with the same emotion.

I have the mildest type of OI, and, because of this, I’ve been able to lead a relatively healthy and normal life. I’ve broken more bones than I can remember, and past fractures and reconstructive surgeries have led to chronic pain, but I’m not affected by this pain every day. (Usually rainy or humid days are my kryptonite). Threats of future injuries do lead me to being overly cautious while walking to class, but I won’t act like I haven’t hustled to try to make exams before.

In short? I feel like a fraud. Yes, there are definitely times in my life that make these accommodations reasonable, but there are also situations where I’m able to capitalize off of benefits that don’t need to apply to me on a given day. When I’m dealing with a fracture or a bad day of chronic pain, the extra time makes sense. When I’m not, I can readily see how these accommodations become unfair advantages.

At the same time, there’s a part of me that feels like I’ve “paid my dues” for the accommodations. Sure, there are days when my OI grants me the chance to avoid a tardy, but I’d rather be marked for the tardy and not have chronic pain from OI. This line of thinking, though, hasn’t been too convincing for me, especially when I consider the students on campus with disabilities who have opted out of certain accommodations.

So, Reddit, are my friend and insecurities correct? AITA for utilizing accommodations in moments when my disability may not be affecting me?