Using splinting is one common strategy for managing the symptoms of Hypermobility Syndromes such as Ehlers Danlos. People with a hypermobility syndromes (HMS) often have very poor proprioception, this basically means we don’t really know where our own arms and legs are so we tend to have a lot of accidents compared to ‘normal’ people.…Continue reading Using Splinting with Hypermobility Syndromes
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.
Accessibility. There’s more to it than you think.
Accessibility is a word that I hear all the time. Accessibility refers to the design of products, services or environments for people with impairments. It’s often though of as a fixed standard, either something is accessible or it isn’t. When you start looking deeper though you realise that isn’t really true. How can something be yes/no…Continue reading Accessibility. There’s more to it than you think.
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The Creperie, Brighton. Gluten Free Goodness!
The Creperie in Brighton is a fabulous little restaurant just off the seafront. The Creperie offers french-style cuisine made with top quality local produce and get this.. its 100% Gluten Free. That’s right no gluten at all, you can’t even bring in your own! The Creperie prides itself on being the only 100% Gluten free restaurant in…Continue reading The Creperie, Brighton. Gluten Free Goodness!
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Crenova Trail Camera Review
This is a quick review of the Crenova 12MP 1080P HD Infrared Game & Trail Camera with 120°Wide Angle Night Vision and a 2.4 inch LCD Display. I was lucky enough to get one of these as an early birthday present (thanks Addz and family) and I’ve had it set up in the back garden…Continue reading Crenova Trail Camera Review
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Highwoods Country Park BOMA 7 Wheelchair
Highwoods Country Park on the north side of Colchester is a massive green space made up of woodland, grassland, trails, lakes and play areas. The park is perfect for dog walking, cycling, sunbathing and exploring. The park itself is pretty easy to get to, if you’re arriving by car simply head straight up the drive to…Continue reading Highwoods Country Park BOMA 7 Wheelchair
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Wheelchair Accessories
Continuing the ‘beginners guide to wheelchair life‘ this post will answer the first question from a JBOT fan… Wheelchair Accessories to answer your wheelchair woes. “How to carry anything whilst self-propelling!” – Ellie May Petty. This is something that most new wheelies struggle with.. balancing things on your lap (and dropping them) hanging things off…Continue reading Wheelchair Accessories
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The Able Label – Adaptive Clothing
“The Able Label provides quality, stylish clothes with adapted designs and hidden extras that make self-dressing easier for those with dressing difficulties.” The Able Label is a stylish and comfy adaptive clothing range, I’m proud to announce my affiliation with them. Their items feature a number of accessibility features. To start with, no…Continue reading The Able Label – Adaptive Clothing
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Wheelchair Types
Not all wheelchairs are the same and much of the information online assumes the reader knows the basics already, the following article is a basic rundown of the types of chair available. There are lots of different types and I wont be able to cover them all so please feel free to ask if I’m…Continue reading Wheelchair Types
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SWT Lackford Lakes Access Review
Suffolk Wildlife Trusts’ Lackford Lakes is 323 acres of wildlife paradise just outside Bury St Edmunds. The reserve features a mix of lakes, reed beds, meadows and woodland. There are 6km of trails and 9 bird hides. Lackford Lakes visitor centre is open from 10am till 5pm Tuesday till Saturday. The reserve is down a…Continue reading SWT Lackford Lakes Access Review
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EDS Awareness Month – Open questions, ask me anything! #EDSAwarenessMonth
It’s that time of year again, May is EDS Awareness Month. For the whole of May I’ll be raising awareness of Ehlers Danlos Syndromes. For those of you who don’t know what it is please head on over to my EDS info page. For the last few years I’ve offered to share info on any…Continue reading EDS Awareness Month – Open questions, ask me anything! #EDSAwarenessMonth
