Joint Protection

Introduction to Joint Protection

As usual this post is written from a dual perspective, I’m an Occupational Therapist and I have spent many years learning to manage my own health. With this post I aim to give a few simple ways of looking after your joints during everyday activities, hopefully explained in a simple way. As with all of…Continue reading Introduction to Joint Protection

Pain Management

Pain Management, it’s not always about pills.

Pain management is a complex and lifelong challenge for many people. The most obvious answer to the pain problem is painkillers right? Pain meds often come with some nasty side effects and can be highly addictive. I’m not saying pain killers are all bad (they aren’t) and I’m not saying everyone who uses them will…Continue reading Pain Management, it’s not always about pills.

#NHSselfie #SaveOurNHS #NotSafeNotFair

Today I’m sharing a selfie to support all the NHS staff against healthcare reforms. The first photo is me in resus at Worcester Royal Hospital. I was admitted with tachycardia, dehydration and mystery neurological symptoms including muscle spasms that left me with most of my joints dislocated. It took me 6 weeks across 3 different…Continue reading #NHSselfie #SaveOurNHS #NotSafeNotFair

Surviving a General Anaesthetic with H-EDS & PoTS

So as many of my friends will know I was in hospital yesterday to have a tooth extracted under general anaesthetic. It couldn’t have gone better really! I’ve spoken to a few people who have requested I jot down some of the ways the surgical team and I managed my ‘complex issues’ throughout the surgery…Continue reading Surviving a General Anaesthetic with H-EDS & PoTS

Life with an Un-cooperative Body

A quick post on what its like living with an un-cooperative body and the challenges of invisible disabilities. Set during one day at university.

Reflections on ‘Life and Limb’ – Aceptance & Emotional Rollercoasters

As many of my regular readers will know I am currently training as an Occupational Therapist, as part of our final year my class mates and I are undertaking specialist workshops. We were recommended to pick something of interest, something we don’t know a lot about and something that we don’t have too strong an…Continue reading Reflections on ‘Life and Limb’ – Aceptance & Emotional Rollercoasters

An alternative approach to Physiotherapy

For many people around the world, regular physiotherapy is an accepted part of life. This doesn’t just go for chronic illnesses or long-term disabilities either. Plenty of people get short-term physio for acute injuries or a little physio input as they get older and less mobile. Simply needing physiotherapy doesn’t mean you’ll find it easy…Continue reading An alternative approach to Physiotherapy

Exercise

Exercise with a Chronic Illness or Variable Disability.

I’ve thought about an exercise post for a while. I’ve had a couple of half-formed ideas about how to write this post but a recent article shared by the BBC has spurred me on. The article, Difficulties of Getting fit if you’re disabled by Kate Ansell, was brilliantly written and covered a lot of the topics I think…Continue reading Exercise with a Chronic Illness or Variable Disability.

Flexivity (SudoGrip) Walking Stick Handle Cover

For many people the balance between style and function is a difficult one. I know I should be using walking sticks with ergonomic grips but I also really wanted one with flames around the bottom (just like Dr House). This is the perfect compromise.

Relationships, chronic illness & intimacy.

This one is a requested post and the first time I’ve co-written a post! Since this post is about maintaining healthy relationships I’ve invited my partner to share his side of the story too. I will apologise now for elevated levels of sarcasm and any unnecessary use of puns featured in this blog post. Just…Continue reading Relationships, chronic illness & intimacy.