Hello everyone. Derek the student physiotherapist here. I’m near the end of my placement now. I’ve made a little presentation about Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome or (PoTS). I know this is a common condition among the EDS and HSD community. As a physiotherapist I am fascinated how exercise and physical activity can be the cause,…Continue reading Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: is exercise ‘Hair of the dog’ therapy?
Tag: Disability
Understanding a chronic patient’s experience…
Healthcare professionals have a duty of care to each patient, client, individual we see. We are taught to listen, understand, and problem-solve, all in the best interest of the individual. We all want to see our patient ‘get better’, ‘progress’, ‘recover’. Sometimes we get lost in these words and don’t take the time to support…Continue reading Understanding a chronic patient’s experience…
Injury Self-Management
I am a small island Caribbean girl, born in London but raised in Carriacou, Grenada. In my world and from my experience, there is a remedy for almost any illness which does not involve seeing a medical professional. Using hydrogen peroxide to clean a cut or bruise at an early age. Drinking a tea when…Continue reading Injury Self-Management
HMSA EDS UK Management & Wellbeing Conference 2017
My presentation on Occupational Therapy from the HMSA EDS UK Management & Wellbeing Conference 2017. JBOT
Misplaced Inspiration – Being Healthy is HARD
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
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
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
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
Wheelchair Propelling Techniques
This ‘Wheelchair Propelling Techniques’ section might (at first) seem pretty self-explanatory. You sit down and push with your hands right? Well actually there’s a bit more to it. Little adjustments with your body can make a big difference. Lets start with simply moving a chair over smooth ground. Make sure you’re siting comfortably, don’t slouch…Continue reading Wheelchair Propelling Techniques
UK Mobility Scooter / Tramper Hire
The map below shows the locations of Trampers, scooters and power chairs available to borrow in the UK. I haven’t tested many of them and I strongly suggest phoning ahead to avoid disappointment! Simply click on a pin to see the place details. The type of scooter available from each location varies so please call…Continue reading UK Mobility Scooter / Tramper Hire

