Items that help me live with chronic illness
Shockingly I have never spoken about the items that help me live with chronic illness, but it’s important to share what gets us through the day. So, my life is lived I refuse to just survive or push myself through the day I want to enjoy my life with the chronic illnesses that I have. I love to visit museums and I vlog my days out on my YouTube channel, and I write about how accessible it was here on the blog. I know the media likes to paint us as people who just do not want to work and would rather sit watching TV all day. However, I know…
World Mental Health Day 2023
Yesterday was World Mental Health Day 2023, but here on the blog we believe that every day is a chance to raise awareness so lets talk about it. This year, MIND is raising awareness of how inpatients are treated which has not been updated since the Mental Health Act was written 40years ago. So much has changed since then, from within the medical community to how society views mental health issues. It might have surprised you then to see how long it has been since the laws were created and have not been revised. I started to struggle with my own mental health when I was at school, I always…
Some things I wish I realised before my chronic illnesses
Today I thought we would talk about something a little different and look at some things I wish I realised before my chronic illnesses. My life was very different before I became sick, I honestly didn’t really think about sickness unless I had a cold or something. Back then there were signs of illness gathering, but I never connected the dots and I didn’t really do much to look after myself. I struggled with eating back then, often skipping meals or eating very small portions so that I wouldn’t put on weight. I did not think about the impact of my lifestyle on my health, or how my chosen profession…
How accessible is Brampton museum and art gallery
Last week we had a lovely day out so lets chat about how accessible is Brampton museum and art gallery? I love doing these posts, I know many in the disabled community struggle to organise days out and have limited time or energy. This is why when I go out to somewhere new or different I like to talk about how accessible it is so you can plan it better. Brampton museum and art gallery, is in a beautiful 1930s home surrounded with the history of an important area for pottery historically. I loved the setting and the outside of the house is gorgeous there is a separate car park…
Some things I’ve learned being a disabled caregiver
I have been a caregiver for almost three years, so I thought I would share some things I’ve learned being a disabled caregiver. My mom had been living alone for a while, she has multiple sclerosis, but never gave us any indication that she didn’t enjoy it. We didn’t know she wasn’t coping and honestly me and my husband assumed she would tell us if she needed more help. It wasn’t until one day, close to the start of the pandemic, I got a phone call that she had a fall and needed help getting up off the floor. She had sat all day trying to get up and by…
Pain Awareness month 2023
It is Pain Awareness month 2023 and as I have lived with chronic pain for over twenty years, I thought we would have a chat about it. During Pain Awareness Month 2023, I am reminded that many people get confused when it comes to pain, just as they do when we talk about fatigue, because everyone has experienced pain and tiredness. However, when it is pain that never goes, it becomes harder to for most people. This is why it is so important for us as advocates to speak up and be honest about the way we feel and the pain we are in. Raising awareness can only help people…
The fear of chronic illness flares
As I lay here in bed, in the middle of a massive flare, I thought we would chat about the fear of chronic illness flares. I have spoken here a few times about my chronic illness journey, I thought I was healthy before that first flare. I was a newly qualified nurse finding my feet, but I was actually born with hypermobile EDS and neurological issues that my neurologist refused to look into. When I found this out a lot of things started to make a lot of sense. That first flare left my in pain every day in all four limbs, chronic headaches, and most of my body numb.…
The importance of hobbies when you have chronic illnesses
Today I thought we would talk about the importance of hobbies when you have chronic illnesses because honestly? They will keep you sane! Before I got sick, I didn’t really have any hobbies, unless you count watching DVD box sets and walking. Though not walking anywhere particularly picturesque, more in order to stay fit I would walk instead of getting public transport. When I had my first flare and had to move back to my parents, everything in my life changed, it was a real tower moment. I lost all the friends, my job, my home everything and I soon found myself looking for something to keep me sane. This…
Cheap and Accessible Mindfulness Ideas
Spending time decompressing, relaxing and generally making space for yourself isn’t just a luxury- it should be an absolute necessity in all of our lives. Life can easily start to feel overwhelming if you allow it to get on top of you, and when your mental health suffers your physical health will too. And if you’re already living with a disability, this is even more important. Taking time out for yourself can involve anything that you find enjoyable, but to be able to keep it up it’s worth finding things that are inexpensive and accessible. Read below to find out five different activities you can do from your own home…
Five ways to embrace disability
Today I want to talk about five ways to embrace disability, society is so down on us it’s important to look from a different perspective. When I first became disabled I felt like I had to push through, to do without my walking stick and to pretend I was not in pain. Before I could admit to myself I couldn’t work because of how it affected me I tried so many jobs. I desperately wanted to be like everyone else, to work full time and have a ‘normal life’ I tried shop work, working in an office, a pharmacy and even a dentist office. However, my memory issues and unstable…
