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In Chronic Illness

On the 9th Day of Christmas…

December 20, 2012 No Comments

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Welcome again readers, to another post for the ’12 Days of Christmas’ in which I divulge all the things that I am ‘chronically’ thankful for despite living with a chronic illness.

On the ‘9 Day of Christmas’ I was thankful for…a painting! Again, I am not a huge fan of art, and do not really have a favourite painting, but funnily enough I did fall in love with a painting which I saw whilst out on an outing with my personal assistant, and is by a local artist Sylvia Hughes Williams.

I just love the incorporation of the inspiring quote with the gorgeous picture of the butterfly. The quote reads:

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over…it became a butterfly”

I read this quote a while ago, and caught my eye, as not only because I love butterflies, but also I love the positivity of this quote. In relation to living with a chronic illness, it reminds us that just because we have limitations due to whatever illness we may be living with does not mean our lives our over but instead something positive can come out with such illnesses…these positives may only be small but they still make life worth living.

So, as soon as I saw this picture, I really found myself resonating with the quote and the print itself, and at some point during the year I hope to even buy the print and place it in my bedroom, and can look at it on those bad days, and remind myself of the positives in life…because there are so many.

And for that I am ‘chronically’ thankful!

In Chronic Illness

On the 8th Day of Christmas…

December 19, 2012 No Comments

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Welcome everyone to another instalment of the ’12 Days of Being Chronically Thankful’ in which I share some of the things that I am thankful for (based on given categories – see above) despite living with a chronic illness.

Today, on the 8th Day of Christmas, I was thankful for…a poem! Now I am not really a huge fan of poetry, and there are only a few that I am familiar with. But if I were to choose one which inspires me then I would choose ‘If You Think You Are Beaten’ by the writer Walter D. Wintle:

If an inspirational poem

I love the poem as it is a reminder that we must all believe in ourselves and how we see our selves is the most important – rather than believing in what other people think of us. It is so easy when living with a chronic illness is to think and act like a victim, but as the poem suggests we should rather act like a victor and challenge aspects of ourselves and our conditions to be winners in whatever we do; to do things that we may never thought were possible due to certain limitations. It’s all about attitude and our view of self as well as overcoming challenges that will inevitably face everyone.

And for that I am thankful!

In Chronic Illness

On the 7th Day of Christmas…

December 19, 2012 No Comments

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Again, I so sorry to have missed another day for the ’12 Days of Christmas’ – again, yesterday was a bad day so I was unable to get the opportunity to write a post.

The 7th ‘Day of Christmas’ asks us to write about a physical activity or sport that we are thankful for whilst living with a chronic illness. I suppose for me, I am thankful for the ‘AeroPilates’ machine that I together with my Mum. Conventional exercise such as aerobics, or even sports such as hockey, netball or football is no good for me due to the weakness in my legs, I am unable to stand or even walk for very long, so any forms of exercise is very difficult for me.

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This is why I am so grateful for the ‘AeroPilates’ machine as I am able to do exercise without worrying about my legs giving way, as all the exercises I am able to do whilst lying down. The machine also comes with a rebounder, which is like a mini trampoline which fits at the bottom of the machine – with this, you are able to get a cardiovascular workout, and can even get your heart rate faster than jogging on a treadmill.

So, with the ‘AeroPilates’ machine I am able to get a full body workout with one machine without the worry of my legs giving way potentially causing a serious accident! This is especially important for a condition like mine, as without exercise, the muscles that are already weak can go into atrophy – making them even more weak, and leaving me with the inability to use these muscles. As my doctor says ‘use it or lose it’! Thanks to the ‘AeroPilates machine’ I can!! I have seen no real improvement in terms of my legs becoming stronger, and have been getting worse, but hopefully with exercising regularly on the machine the weakness won’t progress even further.

And for that I am ‘chronically’ thankful’!

In Chronic Illness

On the 6th Day of Christmas….

December 18, 2012 No Comments

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Welcome to another post for the ’12 Days of being Chronically Thankful’, a revised version of the famous ’12 Days of Christmas’ for those living with chronic illness, like me.

On the ‘6th Day of Christmas’ I was chronically thankful for…a theatre production!

Now, living with a chronic condition like mine, I am unable to attend a theatre production in person – most theatres are very big with high ceilings, as most of you are aware, high ceilings, and flashing fluorescent lights are a trigger for the episodes of severe vertigo that I often experience, and hence going to see a theatre production would make me extremely unwell.

However, a few weeks back, during one of my first trips out with my P.A, we visited my local library, and lo and behold I found a copy of a DVD of a production of ‘Les Misèrables’ that was filmed at the O2 for the show’s 25 year Anniversary. I was so excited as it is a show that I haven’t wanted to see for years, but because of my condition I have been unable to go and see it in London.

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As a result, I instantly decided that I would rent it from the library, and on a day in which I felt really bad, leaving me unable to get out of bed, I managed to watch it on my computer. And I instantly fell in love with the musical – the story, the songs just everything about it! And for a couple of hours, I forgot about how bad I felt, I was still aware of the dizziness and vertigo as they are hard to ignore! However, I was so engrossed with the production of this amazing musical that I was able to ignore it, and just really enjoy the DVD!

And now I am equally excited for the film version of Les Misérables, starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway among others – and perhaps even planning a trip to the cinema with my Personal Assistant, it will be difficult for me being in the building but I am determined to achieve this feat!

And for that I am ‘chronically’ thankful!

In Chronic Illness

On the 5th Day of Christmas….

December 17, 2012 No Comments

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Welcome again to the ’12 Days Of Christmas – a celebration of everything that I am thankful for whilst living with a chronic illness. On the 5th Day of Christmas…I was thankful for an object!

The object that I am thankful for? Well definitely lately it has been my crutch. An object that comes with me wherever I go, and as in my opinion, symptoms have become worse lately, I find that I am needing it more and more whilst in the house. I rely on this crutch, especially when out, as it often prevents me from experiencing falls ( sometimes falls are very bad, that even the crutch will not prevent them – but for the most part, it saves me!). It basically just helps me to keep my balance and to help me walk everyday.

And not only is it extremely useful in helping me live my life with the condition, but the crutch is not one of those boring crutches that are provided by the NHS. Oh no, my crutch is bright pink, is lighter and much quieter than the grey standard crutches (great for when Dad is on nights and is in bed during the day!!) – the crutch feels funky and chronically awesome. Even when living with a chronic illness, it doesn’t have to stop you from being fashionable!

Screen-Shot-2012-07-20-at-17.54.43 — A picture of what my ‘cool’ crutch looks like!

And for that I am ‘chronically’ thankful!

To find out more about the crutch that I own and others in the range, then visit their website at:

www.coolcrutches.com/