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Welcome to the Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge brought together by WEGO Health – a social network for all health activists.  Again, I am participating in the annual Writer’s Month Challenge in which I will be writing about my health activism and health condition based upon prompts given.

Today’s prompt reads as follows:

Travel Time…If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go?  Why?  We also know travelling with a chronic illness can be challenging, so any tips for others that you can share would be great!

This particular prompt is a very interesting one for me, as in just over two weeks I myself will be going on holiday!  Yes, I am due to go on the first holiday I have had for a number of years.  The prospect is both very exciting and nerve-wracking.  This is the first holiday since my diagnosis of my neurological condition, and in addition is the first time I will be travelling since my symptoms have become worse, such as the mobility problems I live with as well as the worsening of the dizziness and vertigo.

My parents and I are going on a cruise with Royal Caribbean, sailing on one of their magnificent ships ‘Adventure of the Seas’ departing on May 8th.  The cruise is to travel around the Mediterranean visiting places such as Cadiz, Barcelona, Nice, Livorno and Rome.  I am particularly looking forward to visiting the places in Italy, as it is a country that I have wanted to visit.  I love Italian food, and think the language sounds beautiful.  It is a place full of history, a subject that I am interested in, and the architecture of its building are spectacular.

The beautiful cruise ship that I am about to depart on for my adventure around the Mediterreanean
The beautiful cruise ship that I am about to depart on for my adventure around the Mediterranean

I will admit that after I was diagnosed with the neurological condition, and since the symptoms that I constantly live with worsened I thought that I would never get to visit the sights in Italy that I had wanted to visit since I was young.  For example, I am unable to fly as due to my dizziness I would not be able to handle being in airports for a considerable amount of time because of their considerable size and high ceilings.  There are several local bus companies that do offer trips to Italy, however since the pain in my legs has worsened during the past couple of years, we ruled that option because of the likelihood that being in a bus for a long time without being able to stretch my legs would worsen the pain in them considerably.  So, the only option left was to go on a cruise.  At first, I was very skeptical as I was certainly worried that the dizziness would worsen due to the movement of the ship.  However, as both my parents have been on a cruise before, and eased by concerns and anxieties about cruising as well as listing off a large number of benefits of going on a cruise versus other types of holiday.  And by agreeing then I would be able to choose a cruise that would allow me to fulfil my dreams of visiting a place I had wanted to for so long.

The beautiful city of Rome which I will soon be experiencing
The beautiful city of Rome which I will soon be experiencing

After mulling it over, I agreed and took the plunge by booking the cruise we are to depart on in a couple of weeks.  The countdown now is most certainly on and I am busily preparing for the cruise and purchasing new clothes and bits and pieces that I need to take with me such as sunglasses, hats and other holiday necessities.  Another necessity that I have to take is my wheelchair; due to the neurological condition I am unable to walk far and therefore will need it to use on excursions and around the ship so I will be able to enjoy everything I want to experience.  Granted, I never dreamt that if I ever got to visit Italy I would do so in a wheelchair but sometimes dreams do not turn out the way that we expected.  I have decided to pack some items that are my personal necessity items such as my iPad – before leaving I will download some films that I will be able to watch on the days where I may be feeling very unwell and am stuck in our cabin due to the severity of my symptoms.  This may not happen, of course, but I thought I would prepare for the possibility that it could happen.  I am planning to watch a film or two on the journey to Southampton in order to distract myself from the pain and trembling in my legs that has worsened recently and may also worsen whilst travelling in the car due to the lack of leg room.  A notebook of course is another item that I will be taking with me; an item that will be very useful in taking notes for the blog post that I will be writing when I return home.  And of course, no holiday would be complete without a camera to document the experience of travelling to new places for posterity.  For this, I am planning to take as many photographs as possible with my smartphone, and then I am planning to build a scrapbook of my cruise experience as something to look back on when I am having a bad day due to chronic illness.

This particular prompt also asks for tips for others regarding travelling with a chronic illness.  However, as I have mentioned at the beginning of this post, I have not travelled since being diagnosed with a neurological condition, or not taken a holiday since the symptoms associated with my condition has worsened.  Therefore, I would like to make this particular post interactive and ask my readers (aka YOU!) for their tips regarding travelling whilst living with a chronic illness?  What are some of the items I should be packing in my luggage?  What are some of your coping techniques when your symptoms flare whilst travelling?  Any tips that you can offer would be much appreciated and would love to hear others’ experiences of cruising with a chronic illness or even better a neurological condition.  So, please leave any tips and suggestions in the comment section below:

I look forward to writing a post about my holiday of a lifetime and sharing my experiences and tips that I may have found whilst travelling with a neurological condition.

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Welcome to the Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge brought together by WEGO Health – a social network for all health activists.  Again, I am participating in the annual Writer’s Month Challenge in which I will be writing about my health activism and health condition based upon prompts given.

Today’s prompt reads as follows:

Lesson Learned…What’s a lesson you learned the hard way? Tell us a time when you made a mistake and promised never to make the same mistake again

There are many lessons that you learn when diagnosed with a chronic illness, such as acceptance is not about giving up and you are not defined by your diagnosis.  But it is not these big life lessons that you learn whilst living with a chronic illness but you learn everyday on how to live with your specific condition.  For example, I have learnt that in order to cope better with the dizziness that is a good idea to wear a hat, with a fisherman’s hat being the preferable choice, as it blocks out more visual stimuli than other styles.  I have also learned to tell when I need to use the wheelchair, or when I need to take a nap.  However, one lesson that I should have learnt a long time ago is one which I learned the hard way…

The style of hat that is most effective in lessening the severity of the dizziness
The style of hat that is most effective in lessening the severity of the dizziness

The lesson happened one night in late February, Mum and Dad had gone out to see a concert and so I was left home alone.  On that day, I remember it was one of my bad days, with the dizziness and the trembling in my legs particularly bad, and so before they left my Mum had done the washing-up as I was unable to stand for long.  And so they left me in front of the television with a packet of sweets; as my legs was so bad, I probably should have known just to stay lying on the sofa and find a film to watch.

But instead, I thought it was a good idea to walk upstairs to grab my Kindle as there was nothing to watch on the television and walk downstairs.  However, instead of walking down the stairs, I fell down them as I had suddenly lost all sensation in my legs (probably should not have wished for the trembling to stop!).  Fortunately, I was fine – a little shook up, but I hadn’t broken anything.  Well, I hadn’t broken any part of my body, but the Kindle that I was bringing downstairs?  That was indeed broken – the screen had cracked and so became completely unreadable.

The casualty from my tumble down the stairs...
The casualty from my tumble-down the stairs…

 

As an avid reader, this really upset me as it was one of my gadgets that I regularly use, and as I was saving towards the holiday I could not afford to replace it.

The story does have a happy ending however; after it happened I talked about the incident on social media, I think partly as I was on my own and still shook up about what happened and it was my way of having company, or at least some version of it.  A few days after it happened I was sent an email from an employee at Amazon UK who had heard about my fall via social media and the company was offering me a replacement Kindle free of charge!  It was an amazing act of generosity that I will never forget and I am now a happy owner of a new Kindle and reading books on it to my hearts’ content!

But a lesson that I learnt from the incident is when the weakness and trembling is as bad as it was that night, then to stay sitting or lying exactly where I am and not to exert my legs in doing more they can handle.  An important lesson but one which I learned the hard way! (And you will be happy to know that I no longer walk down the stairs holding my Kindle!)

A special thank you to Amazon too!!

What are some of the lessons you have learned during your life with chronic illness?  Are there any that you learned the hard way?  As ever would love to hear your thoughts and comments on the blog post, or the blog generally.  Please feel free to leave your comments below…

 

 

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Welcome to the Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge brought together by WEGO Health – a social network for all health activists.  Again, I am participating in the annual Writer’s Month Challenge in which I will be writing about my health activism and health condition based upon prompts given.

Today’s prompt reads as follows:

5 Challenges & 5 Small Victories…Make a list of the 5 most difficult parts of your health focus.  Make another top 5 list for the little, good things (small victories) that keep you going

Again this is a post that has been part of the Health Activist Month Challenge before; I had thought of skipping this prompt, however, I then realised that life with chronic illness can change overtime and therefore, I have decided to do the and write about the challenges and victories of life with my neurological condition.  I will think of the recent challenges and victories that have been in my life, and without looking at the previous post that I had written and can then compare how my condition has changed over time.

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Challenges 

  1. The first challenge that has been rather large in my life recently is definitely fatigue.  The fatigue recently has been constant and unrelenting.  Often I have no energy, and when I do find the little energy to do things, then I am so shattered afterwards that I find I may need a nap but often that does not help the tiredness that I feel.  After being out with my carer, I often find myself collapsing on my bed, and before I realise I have fallen asleep.  It has also left me with a lack of energy to be able to do the simplest chores around the house, for example, my ironing has been piling up recently as I have had no energy to be able to tackle the pile of clothes there waiting for me.
  2. My legs have also been challenging for me as late.  If I am not battling against the pain, weakness and trembling in my legs then I am dealing with loss of sensation in them.  The last few days the pain and trembling has been particularly bad and therefore makes walking both painful and challenging, but more than that it has also led to several falls resulting in cuts and bruises on my body.  I am unable to stand for very long because of the spastic paraparesis, which in itself is a challenge as it prevents me from being able to chores such as ironing or cooking without the aid of aids.
  3. The dizziness is another symptom which I have also found to have worsened recently, which has made it extremely difficult to go out, especially when needing the wheelchair.  Because the dizziness has been so severe recently, I have had to rely on hats whilst out on trips with my carer.  Wearing a hat allows certain visual disturbances which worsen the constant dizziness I live with, or induces the vertigo to be eliminated from my eye line, therefore decreasing the severity of the dizziness and vertigo. The dizziness has been very severe lately, and because of it I have even had to cut short trips out.  More time has been spent lying down in a quiet room as the vertigo has been so intense; and suppose it has been such a challenge to live with, that I am not living life as I should.
  4. I have needed the wheelchair a lot more recently which is also a challenge; because of the severity of the dizziness just being in the wheelchair feels very uncomfortable due to all of the movement and visual stimuli that I am subjected to.  It seems that recently I have lost all confidence in using the wheelchair, but on the other hand I really need to use it because of how weak my legs are – am often in a catch-22 situation!  It is also a challenge as I am due to go on a cruise in 3 weeks, and will need the wheelchair a lot more, especially when off the ship, visiting the cities which we are stopping at such as Rome and Florence.  It will be a big challenge trying to cope with the severe dizziness and being in the wheelchair at the same time.
  5. Feeling reliant on other people most of the time.  It can be very demoralising when you are unable to do things that once came so naturally, and needing other people to help you.  I wish I could be a lot more independent, and feel so helpless when I cannot even go out somewhere on my own.  It’s very frustrating!

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Victories

  1. I have mentioned this in a recent post entitled -‘I went and I conquered‘ but a recent victory of mine was definitely going into Next, a local retail store and being able to shop in there!  This was a big step for me – because of the dizziness, stores such as Next can aggravate the dizziness and vertigo and makes them a lot worse because of the layout of the store, the height of the ceiling as well as the fluorescent lighting used.  My carer and I have been trying for a long time for me to even set foot in there.  It such a joy, knowing that I can shop in-store, save myself the cost of postage and packing, and even trying clothes on; something I haven’t been able to do for such a long time.  I have since shopped in there several more times since the original blog post and bought several items that I need for the holiday we are soon to embark on.
  2. This actually links in with a challenge listed above regarding the use of a wheelchair.  Yesterday the weakness in my legs was significantly bad, and so as my carer and I were headed to a local garden centre, it was decided that I very much needed to use the wheelchair.  The dizziness was severe, and so I was nervous about using it.  But, I actually was victorious against the dizziness, and managed to stay in the wheelchair and even managed to wheel myself around.  I felt in control whilst using the wheelchair for the first time in a while.  This is a victory as it has really boosted in my confidence at the thought of needing to use the wheelchair on holiday.
  3. I think another recent victory was keeping up with the Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge especially considering how severe the fatigue has been recently.  It has been difficult to do anything as I have felt so tired but being able to keep up with this writer’s challenge has been a real victory for me as it has been very difficult doing it, but shows that I am able to push through and come out the other side.
  4. One thing that really keeps me going are the networks that I have created thanks to social media.  The friends I have made really keep me going through the dark and difficult times and is always a ray of sunshine, receiving a message of support on a day in which you are really struggling.  I am really proud to be involved with a new online community for those with neurological conditions, and it is the work behind the scenes which at the moment is really giving me a purpose which is a great and important victory especially as living with such conditions can make you feel so dependant on others.
  5. My positivity board is a real victory and one thing that does keep me going despite living with a chronic illness.  A lot of people have contacted me regarding my board, and have even created one for themselves!  I love that I have inspired others and help make someone stay positive through their own illness or troubles.

So, those are my recent challenges and small victories!  To read about what I had written previously then please go to ‘HAWMC Day 27: 5 Challenges and 5 Small Victories…

What about your own challenges and victories – have they changed over time as your condition has changed?  Would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.  Please feel free to post your comments below…

 

 

 

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Welcome to the Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge brought together by WEGO Health – a social network for all health activists.  Again, I am participating in the annual Writer’s Month Challenge in which I will be writing about my health activism and health condition based upon prompts given.

Today’s prompt reads as follows:

TV Matchup…Think of a TV show that compares to your life?  What is it?  Who would you be, who would your friends and family be?

In my opinion, this particular prompt is definitely the hardest.  I have spent all of yesterday, thinking of various television programmes and considering how it may compare to my life.  However, I really could not think of one.  I live with a neurological condition which is both unusual and rare.  I live with numerous symptoms, which are not typical of everyday life.  Unfortunately, there are not many television dramas that have characters with a neurological condition; there have been on various procedural dramas such as Grey’s Anatomy or House as examples but no long-standing characters from a television show that I can think of.  Furthermore, it could also be argued that as many portrayals of chronic illness are on medical shows set within a hospital environment is also in itself not representative of chronic illness as a whole, especially considering neurological conditions such as mine, which often does not require hospitalisations.

But then I thought about chronic illness in general.  It is my opinion that chronic illness is not well represented in television dramas generally.  Perhaps it is the programmes that I particularly watch, but in my experience the reality of living with a chronic illness is not represented accurately on television drama shows.  During the time when illness or injuries that could result in permanent disabilities these storylines are very short-lived; very often the person is diagnosed with the condition, starts treatment such as medication or physiotherapy and the character recovers, and the condition or injury is never mentioned again.  Alternatively, the character may even die from the condition.

 All of us living with chronic illness, are very much aware that this is not a true representation of what is to live with chronic illness.  Television dramas in terms of their portrayal of chronic illness suggests that chronic illness is not severe, or that its symptoms and its effects are short-lived.  However, the reality as we know is a lot different.  Does this media portrayal of chronic illness reinforce the stigma and disbelief towards those with chronic conditions?  Or perhaps, it is to show that those who live with chronic illness can still lead a normal life?

Susan Kennedy a regular on the television soap opera Neighbours who has been battling MS
Susan Kennedy a regular on the television soap opera Neighbours who has been battling MS

I remember watching ‘Neighbours‘ several years ago when one of its main characters Susan Kennedy, was exhibiting several neurological symptoms; many of which I experience or have experienced in the past.  For example, visual disturbances, dizziness, numbness in the limbs and extreme fatigue.  Susan was eventually diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; and in my opinion at the time this particular storyline was monumental in the increasing the public awareness and understanding of multiple sclerosis.  I cannot remember the exact length of the storyline in which she battled with multiple sclerosis, but unfortunately in my opinion there has not been an adequate continuation of the storyline. Although she has been seen suffering a recent relapse with her condition, her multiple sclerosis is seldom mentioned or its symptoms never seen affecting her life.  It seems that television dramas and particularly soap operas are unable to sustain a long storyline portraying life with chronic illness.

Cherylee Houston as Izzy Armstrong - the first disabled actress on the famous cobbles
Cherylee Houston as Izzy Armstrong – the first disabled actress on the famous cobbles

The British soap opera Coronation Street also introduced a main character, who also happens to be disabled and exhibiting an invisible chronic condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS).  EDS are a group of inherited connective tissue disorders, caused by a defect in the synthesis of collagen.  The collagen in connective tissue helps tissue resist deformation, and generally collagen is an important factor to the physical strength of skin, joints, muscles, ligaments, blood vessels and visceral organs.  Abnormal collagen therefore renders these structures more elastic and can lead to easy and excessive bruising, joint hypermobility (looser joints) and weakness of tissue to name but a few.  The actress who plays Izzy Armstrong, Cherylee Houston has the condition herself, and therefore the soap was praised for not only hiring their first disabled actress but also for raising awareness of this rare condition.  However, other sufferers have raised concerns of not adequately portraying the fatigue and pain that very often accompanies the condition.  Critics also state that the public profile of ehlers-danlos syndrome has not successfully raised the awareness of the condition as many people still reporting that they have not heard of the condition.  Is this another example for television dramas failing to follow-through in their portrayal of chronic illness?

Really think about the question: In which television series can you think of, in which one of the main characters is living with a chronic illness and it is accurately portrayed and is a continuing storyline within the show?

The answer is probably none.  Well, from none of the television dramas that I am familiar with anyhow.  Having chronic illness or disability in a soap opera such as Neighbours or Coronation Street can be argued is important in highlighting and raising awareness of a particular illness, however in my opinion it would be more beneficial to feature in weekly dramas as soap operas are an ensemble and features many storylines within each episode; many of which could become overlooked by the audience.  Characters are seen in the forefront of the drama for several weeks during their big storylines, but fade back into the background after the conclusion of the storyline to make room for the next big and exciting storyline.

I think that is why I have failed to find a television show that reflects my life.  Although my diagnosis does not define me it is however a large part of my life and a television show which compares to my life should therefore also reflect this part of my life.  Perhaps a new television show would need to be created to reflect my life with a neurological condition.

I did remember whilst in the middle of writing this prompt about comments others made during the period in which the doctors’ were still trying to find a diagnosis.  The doctors were puzzled regarding my symptoms and could not find a cause; as a result my friends would joke that I needed to go on House as he was a diagnostic genius!  Perhaps that is the show that I need to compare to my experience with a chronic illness; it certainly would have saved a lot of time trying to get a definitive diagnosis.  Maybe this could be a large project for the spoonie community as a whole – to pen a true and accurate portrayal of chronic illness for a television drama.  To raise awareness of such conditions and the effects that it has on our lives – perhaps with chronically ill people themselves penning such dramas, the public would gain a better understanding of those with such conditions and perhaps then there would be a more sympathetic approach towards individuals with chronic illness.

So, can you think of any television dramas that has a long-standing character with either a neurological condition, or any other chronic illness?  What if your life was a television drama; which television show would compare to your life?  As ever would love to hear your suggestions and thoughts!  Feel free to add your comments below…

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Welcome to the Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge brought together by WEGO Health – a social network for all health activists.  Again, I am participating in the annual Writer’s Month Challenge in which I will be writing about my health activism and health condition based upon prompts given.

The prompt reads as given:

Wordless Wednesday…We all know a picture is worth a 1,000 words.  Post/share a picture that relays a message or story to the viewer.

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