Speaking from someone who has had bad knees since they were ten, and has had two major knees surgeries before I turned 21, you can most definitely work. Before the surgeries, my knees would dislocate and pop out of their socket 8-10 times a month. During that time, I worked as a cashier standing for 8 hours, and then went home and iced my knees all night. I have worked at a dog kennel where I was bending, walking, kneeling so much that I would limp out of there after my shift. I don't work during the school year, but once the summer comes I will be right back at it. In the mean time, I clean the house, take care of all the animals, and do anything that is asked of me all while taking 18 credits and maintaining a 3.6 GPA, Honor Society obligations, and volunteering at a dog rescue while I am in college.
I am lucky that my mom still pays for all of my stuff. I only have to pay for gas and clothes/food not in the house and anything extra I want. I appreciate everything she does and help out in the house doing whatever I can. Unless your knees are so bad that you physically cannot walk or stand for more than 2 minutes, then you should have no problem going out and getting a job so you can pay for the things you want.
