Most products that we use everyday are made to make life easier. Accessibility aids and adaptive products are not just for disabled or people with limited mobility, they can benefit everyone! Today on the blog I am sharing a number of items that I have come across over the years that make my life easier.
Tag: Chronic Pain
Boundaries For When People Ask Questions About Your Health
It’s inevitable that when you get sick, you are going to be inundated with questions about your health. Some of these questions you won’t know how to respond to and some may make you feel uncomfortable. Here is a little pep talk and some ideas to get you started.
Surrendering to the Fire Alarm
How my first office job interview taught me a lesson in surrender
The Time I Lose To Managing Chronic Conditions
Chronic conditions are a full time unwanted job. There are hours each day that are dedicated to keeping me functioning – and I’m not alone in this unseen part of daily life. Today I’m shining a light on what you don’t see.
I Was Once Petrified of Hugs
It’s a strange thing when an action that is meant to be comforting becomes scary and unsettling. It was something I never expected to occur.
Musings & Meditations – February 2 2023
…and have found their way out of the depths.
You Are Not Meant To Keep Your Foot On The Stepping Stone Forever
This blog may be my stepping stone – a little update on my blogging plans.
Your Medical Experiences Give You Skills Too
Why should we hire people with disabilities? What skills are they learning when they aren’t able to work? Answer: Great skills that EVERY organisation needs.
Why We Should All Be Fighting For Disability Equality and Justice
‘If it was adjusted just slightly, it would be so much more inclusive’.
Book Therapy – The Girl Who Fell From The Sky
Occasionally you will meet someone who will make you wonder what makes them glow so brightly that you can’t look away. Emma Carey is one of those people, and her new book, The Girl Who Fell From The Sky, shows us what makes her shine bright.
Book Therapy – Between Two Kingdoms
This book did a good job of breaking my heart, and piecing it back together with gold glue.
When I Am Lost, Remind Me Of What I Am Good At
Sometimes, we need someone to point us towards our north star – of what we are good at and enjoy – when we can’t see it through our own darkness. Today on the blog I’m talking about a different kind of support that got me through some hard days when I couldn’t do what I loved.
Musings & Meditations – April 17 2022
“I was patient enough…”
@poetryofdhiman featured on the blog today!
‘Recovery’ is Different For Everyone
Recovery is quite a process regardless of what you are going through, and it is something that we have to be careful to not assume what the end goal may be for the person experiencing it.
Read more here
The People Who Connect With Your Story Will Surprise You
It may be the most unlikely of people or in completely different circumstances, and that’s why it’s important to share – so someone else feels connected and seen and feels safe to say ‘me too’.
The Lightkeeper’s List – Volume 5
Welcome to Volume 5 of the Lightkeeper’s List!
Permission To Rest
It’s time to give ourselves permission to rest – it is a vital part of our health and wellbeing.
The Opposite of Stress is Trust
This short sentence has stayed with me for years, it is stuck to my fridge as a reminder, and has become a guiding light in my stress management and decision making processes.
Musings & Meditations – December 2 2021
It’s International Day of Persons with Disability tomorrow, Friday 3rd December! Today I am sharing one of the moving quotes by Robin M. Eames from the anthology Growing Up Disabled in Australia.
The Reintroduction Process
As someone who has had to take extended periods of time away from the workplace, social and community situations, it can be a mixed bag of emotions when you are returning back into those spaces and amongst a lot of people. I’m sharing my thoughts on the reintroduction process today on the blog.
When The Days All Start To Feel The Same
What do we do when the days all start to feel the same? How do we get ourselves out of a funk?
Convalescing At The Coast
The best decision I have made for my health in years.
Taking A Break
The time has come for me to press pause on the blog and take some time out to recharge my creative batteries.
Book Therapy – Growing Up Disabled In Australia
Growing Up Disabled in Australia is a diverse anthology of the very best kind!
Things I Learnt In My First Year of Blogging
There have been a few things that I predicted, a few surprises along the way and a whole lot of learning.
When You Don’t Know What You Are Missing
A few words on driving, medical conditions and compromises.
Musings & Meditations – May 12 2021
May 12th is International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND) so here are a few words today in honour of the Lady with the Lamp.
Take Control Of What You Can – Your Environment
In the second instalment of Take Control Of What You Can Series, I’m talking about regaining control of an environment to make you feel happier, healthier and safer.
Using The Ring Theory For Your Kvetching Order
Imagine this: someone close to you is going through a crisis and you don’t want to say the wrong things to them, however you have your own worries that you need to release through conversation. Who is the best person for you to talk to?
There Is Always Laundry
It’s the mundane everyday tasks that can give us the most perspective.
Learning How To Describe Your Pain and Symptoms
Learning to become fluent with words that accurately describe the pain and symptoms you are feeling is one of the most helpful things you can do to create a positive working relationship and understanding between yourself and your medical professionals.
Book Therapy – There Is No Good Card For This
We have all been in that place where something awful happens to someone and we are petrified of saying the wrong thing or not sure how to help. This is where the book ‘There Is No Good Card For This: What to Say and Do When Life is Scary, Awful and Unfair to People You Love’ by Emily McDowell and Kelsey Crowe comes in to save us!
Just Because You Are Strong Enough To Carry It, Doesn’t Mean You Always Should
I hope you have people and places where you don’t have to be strong too.
Who Is On Your Team?
As soon as things get tough, you know you are going to need a few people to lean on. Who is on your team?
What Do You Do While Everyone Else Is At Work?
One thing I am constantly being asked is ‘what do I do all day if I am not working?’. Here is a little insight into my daily life and health management.
Simple Practical Ways To Help Someone With A Chronic Condition
So you might not be much of a talker or know much about the medical world, but you want to help someone close to you? Here are a few practical ways to help someone with a chronic condition!
Have You Considered Mental Health First Aid Training?
We are all aware of the mental health campaigns urging us to check in with each other, to start the conversation about someone’s mental health… but do you know how to support and guide them to resources if they say “No, I’m not ok”?. What are the next steps to take? Do you feel confident to have that discussion? Read more about my experience completing the Mental Health First Aid course.
Take Control Of What You Can – The Online World
When chronic conditions start to infiltrate every part of your life, you can feel like you are losing control or have others make all the choices for you. This series is about regaining a bit of control in areas that are manageable and make a huge difference – starting with the online world! Read about how I changed my online experience from taking me for a ride to taking the wheel!
How To Use Breathing Meditations For Pain
Most of the time we don’t even realise that we are holding our breath when we are in pain. So when we are in the moment of pain and waiting for it to pass or ease, here are some neat little breathing meditation practices to try to relax our bodies.
The Daily Project That Sustained Me During My Most Difficult Year
I started the year with ideas and dreams for a project – but the year had other plans for me and my project.
A Healthier Way to Review The Year
It’s pretty hard to look back on a disappointing year, when nothing went your way and felt like a struggle to get through. From my experience from many tough years, here are a few things to keep in mind when reviewing the year.
The Days Are Long But The Years Are Short
2020 has been a strange year and a lot of us have struggled with the notion that our perception of time has changed. This is a very similar experience to when you have a chronic medical condition. Read more here!
Present Ideas for People with Medical Conditions
Buying presents for people with chronic conditions can sometimes be a little tricky. Here are some suggestions that are fail-safe to bring your loved ones some joy and comfort this festive season!
Managing Celebrations With Chronic Condition
Anyone with a chronic condition can tell you that going to celebrations or large events can be quite challenging and exhausting. With some careful planning and sensible self care, we can make the event much more enjoyable and last longer than Cinderella before the carriage turns into a pumpkin!
Maybe She’s Born With It
So often we can fall into the trap of assuming that someone is naturally gifted with skills, habits and traits. But what if they weren’t born like that and worked hard to be that person?
The Danger of Setting Completion Dates For Things We Can’t Control
I have learnt that time and expectations are two very dangerous things to try to predict and manage. Now we are all learning that with COVID-19 too.
Tips For Booking Appointments
I’ve had a lot of medical appointments over the years and I have learnt a few tips from my experiences and from the medical practitioners and their staff.
Managing Both A Chronic Condition & An External Crisis
Being in pain or managing a chronic condition while also having an external crisis play out in front of you, can really add to the stress and therefore the symptoms that you manage. From my own experiences, here are my suggestions for managing both a chronic condition and an external crisis.
The Chronic Condition Emergency Plan
We never know when something could go wrong or we need additional help, and the best way to manage this is to be prepared and have a plan. Here are my tips to cover all bases!
The Survival Kit
Nurturing ourselves with familiar and enriching activities that restore our energy is what keeps us afloat when everything around us is uncertain, rough and stormy.
Lady In The Lighthouse 