I often discuss the ‘disabled people are inspirational’ issue with friends and family. ‘Inspiration P0rn’. I am often told I’m inspirational, some times I smile and say thank you while rolling my eyes, sometimes I challenge the person in question and at other times I take it as a compliment. I could lecture about this…Continue reading Misplaced Inspiration – Being Healthy is HARD
Author: JBOT
I am an Independent Occupational Therapist & an expert patient with many years experience self-managing complex health conditions.
I began my working life in the sport and Outdoor Adventure industries. After being diagnosed with Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, I returned to study and gained a BSc in Occupational Therapy from the University of Northampton, where I was named Changemaker Student of the Year 2016. This is in part to recognise my efforts as a volunteer for the HMSA, for helping to bring Wheelchair Basketball to the university and for my blogging and online advocacy starting in 2013. The final noteworthy reason was my final placement, which made me the UK’s first OT practitioner to work in the travel industry.
I finished my degree in September 2016 after 5 years, thousands of miles of travel, 57 nights in 4 different hospitals, 5 different A&Es (some more than once), 4 ambulance trips, countless hospital and GP appointments, 3 work placements, living in student accommodation, hotels and friends’ houses.
The Problem with Pain Scales
Throughout my Occupational Therapy training and my short but already meaningful career I’ve heard two key phrases in relation to OT. ‘Holistic’ and ‘Client centred’ .. even as students who struggled to explain exactly what being an OT involved we all knew that we had to practice holistically and be client centred [1]. So, we…Continue reading The Problem with Pain Scales
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RSPB Bempton Cliffs Accessibility Review
Bempton Cliffs near Bridlington in East Yorkshire is a clifftop reserve and nesting ground for over 250,000 sea birds. Gannets, Kittiwakes, Razorbills, Guillemots, Puffins, Herring Gulls and Fulmars to name a few. The cliff-top reserve is also filled with land-based-birds including Short-eared-owls, Tree Sparrows, Linnets, Jackdaws and more. The visitors centre includes access to an…Continue reading RSPB Bempton Cliffs Accessibility Review
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Self-Care isn’t Self-Indulgent
In my work as an OT and in my life in general I often come across phrases that make me sad. I have lost count of the times I’ve heard ‘I don’t have time to pace’. This phrase is usually followed by a list of things the person does for others… I often have to…Continue reading Self-Care isn’t Self-Indulgent
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Dr Google & The e-Patient Experince
In this online age, access to medical information is faster and simpler than ever before. The ease with which patients can search for symptoms, diagnoses and treatments has plays a big role in the the e-patient 1 movement. About 5% of all internet searches are about medical information 2 . Support groups, patient advocacy groups…Continue reading Dr Google & The e-Patient Experince
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Buff Thermal Hoodie by KitShack – Review
**The product discussed in this post was provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. The Buff has been reviewed honestly and accurately to the best of my ability. For more details please read my disclaimer** When the good folks at KitShack kindly offered me the chance to review one of their products, I…Continue reading Buff Thermal Hoodie by KitShack – Review
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Physiotherapy Expectations With Hypermobility Syndromes
Physiotherapy is the treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods such as exercise, movement, manual therapies and education1. It can be used along side medication and traditional pain management strategies and is often used following surgery too. I often (and quite correctly) see people recommending physiotherapy to treat Hypermobility Syndromes like Ehlers Danlos and Marfan…Continue reading Physiotherapy Expectations With Hypermobility Syndromes
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The Etches Collection
The Etches Collection, Kimmeridge Bay is home to the incredible fossil collection of Steve Etches. Local beach combing, fossil guru, Steve has spent 30+ years discovering everything the Kimmeridge coast has to offer. His collection now consists of over 2000 late Jurassic specimens. Steve’s story is pretty incredible, until recently his entire collection was housed…Continue reading The Etches Collection
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Flare Up Planning with Shona
Something a little different for this blog post. I recently had the pleasure of working with Shona of My Marfan Life. Here, she share’s her experiences working with me and a bit about her life with Marfan Syndrome. “Recently I had the pleasure of having a 30 minute consultation with Jo to create a flare up…Continue reading Flare Up Planning with Shona
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Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, The New Forest
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary is situated near the heart of The New Forest National Park. The Deer Sanctuary provides a convenient and fairly accessible way to get close to a variety of deer, semi-wild ponies and other wildlife. A large car park and shed-like set of toilets are all that stand out on arrival. The car park…Continue reading Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, The New Forest
