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What are you grateful for?

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Time for a new post!

And today I will be talking about a subject we were discussing at yesterday’s ‘Life 4 Living’ – a group that I am member of in my local town, one which establishes fun, friendship and understanding.

Positive Psychology is a relatively new branch within psychology and is basically the study of happiness, and one in which scientifically examines how ordinary people can become happier and ultimately live a more fulfilled life.  Happiness is not something which makes us feel good but can also have a beneficial impact upon other areas of our lives such as social relationships, improved physical health and in a study amongst nuns it has even been found happiness can even help you live longer.

Image: http://www.paranormalpeopleonline.com/the-myth-of-positive-psychology-%E2%80%93-what-the-guru%E2%80%99s-don%E2%80%99t-want-you-to-know/

Many of us within the group suffer with chronic illness and find that we may feel unwell a lot of the time – these times, it often seems impossible to remain positive and upbeat…but that does not mean that we cannot find the beauty in life or still find joy in the little things which we enjoy.  Life is a fantastic journey – not always easy and some of us find we have to climb huge mountains but there are lessons with we can all learn from during the hard times.

As a piece of ‘homework’ we have been given an exercise to complete, a way in which we can all learn to become more positive – every day to write in a little notepad or journal 3 things that we have been grateful for – it could be absolutely anything!!  For example, it could be having a chat with a friend, or receiving a compliment from a stranger, it could even be grateful for being alive!!

Gratitude Diary – Image: www.paperchase.co.uk

At the moment, I think I would say that I am grateful for:

  • My Parents – such a great support system and have stuck by me through everything
  • My Dog – on a bad day it is wonderful just to have a cuddle from her
  • My online support system – these ladies are such a blessing, and find myself looking forward to our Skype Meetings every fortnight with joy

So, what are you grateful for?

                                                                                                                                                   

To learn more about the ‘Nun Study’, I have found a great resource which you can read here

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Taking Part in a New Project!!

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Hey Everyone

Hope you are all well, sorry I haven’t updated for a few days but again have not been feeling well – some were even spent bedridden as it was so bad, legs feeling so weak and every part of my body feeling so lethargic.  Also, have been quite busy – I have now for a couple of months have been attending a new group within my local area, many of the attendees like myself suffer with some form of disability or illness, or perhaps those who for a number of reasons find themselves stuck in the house alone.  The group, called ‘Life 4 Living is an initiative of the Pontypridd Disability Team, a branch of the RCT Social Services, the ethos of the group being to encourage friendships and for its members to spend time in a friendly, relaxed and fun environment, focusing on how to get the most out of life and to develop a positive attitude to living life to the full despite the circumstances that life has dealt you.

Anyway, recently we have formed what is called a ‘constituted group’ – to make the group more official, and hopefully be able to apply for some funding for trips for all the members – places of interest and fun activities that all members can partake in.  So, to form a constituted group, there needs to be a committee and I am happy to announce they have all voted for me to become secretary!!  So, in the times that I have not been so ill in bed, have been preparing for my new role!

And on to another piece of news…As some of you may remember, I took part in a challenge back in April called the Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge.  The organisation that ran the challenge is WEGO Health, a fantastic health online community that empowers health bloggers like myself to connect with audiences and each other to spread the word of the health cause or condition that we write about.  Well, they have just launched a brand new project entitled:

It’s called the ‘HealthSecret’ which is based upon a project, PostSecret by a man called Frank Warren whereby people mail their secrets anonymously on a homemade postcard.  So, WEGO Health are asking all health activists or bloggers to mail their secrets to them on a postcard, letter or note – just as long as it gets to them via ‘snail mail.’

They are not even looking for ‘secrets’ per se, they are asking for people to write about themselves, their health condition or health community that affects them and may not be widely known.  It could even be a letter telling others exactly what it is like to live with the condition they have, or even sharing knowledge with people who may have been recently diagnosed.  Basically anything that the health activist wants others to know about their particular health cause or condition.  And with all of the postcards, letters or notes sent in, the people at WEGO Health are going to compile them into a great e-book which you can sign up for here 

So, I think this is a wonderful idea, and gets us all to be a little creative and to spread the word about out particular health conditions – I personally love handwritten mail, they just seem so personal and a sense that a lot of time and thought has gone into writing it and I am looking forward to sending in my contribution.  I have even bought a new writing set especially for the project!!:

So, if you are someone perhaps with a condition which is uncommon or perhaps one which is misunderstood by the general public then get involved in HealthSecret and shine a light on the truth as it is for you!!

You can send all letters, postcards or notes to:

WEGO Health

180 Lincoln St.

5th Floor

Boston

MA, 02111

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A new dawn for Health Care…

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Hello Everyone

Time for another blog post.  As my regular readers know that I have taken part in the WEGO Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge back in April and since then I have still been an active member of the WEGO Health Community, taking part in chats via Twitter, posting on their Facebook page and so on.

And for June as the above picture describes, WEGO Health is talking technology – how technology is shaping and has shaped healthcare.  Most of us know by now that technology has played a significant role for some years within the medical field – from the introduction of a wide range of medical devices such as the MRI, a scanner which has significantly improved the diagnostic process for a wide range of conditions, firstly making it a lot easier to diagnose conditions as well as speeding up the process.

Technology has also made it possible for doctors to shy away from the old paper medical records and instead opt for Electronic Health Records – – all out health records now stored on computers, at the touch of a button or the press of a few keys, doctors can bring up your entire medical history to help them identify the best course of treatment for your condition.  There are even computerised robots that can perform some surgical procedures on patients, one such example is the da Vinci Surgical System which can perform complex and delicate surgical procedures with increased vision, precision, dexterity and control.  The machine has even been featured on medical TV dramas such as Grey’s Anatomy.

The da Vinci Surgical System, Image: http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/products/davinci_surgical_system/

Now, however not only can new technologies has changed how healthcare is practiced it has also given patients the tools to be able to take charge and have a more active role in their healthcare and subsequent treatment.   Now, patients are able to buy equipment such as home blood pressure monitors – but not only this but the introduction of ‘smartphones’ has enabled patients worldwide to be able to download a wide variety of applications for everything from being able to take notes to tracking sleeping patterns, there really is “an app” for just about everything.  So, I thought I would take this opportunity as part of the WEGO Heath ‘Health Technology Month’, to share some of my favourite apps which I use daily on my own iPhone.

One of my two favourite apps, has to be for the popular social networks, Facebook and Twitter – these applications keep me up to date with the latest news, views and whatever else from my family, friends, favourite brands and so on, wherever I am, whether it be on my sick-bed on those very bad days where the dizziness is so intense and balance is so very poor that I can barely stand or on the frequent occasions where I can walk or stand due to the severe weakness in my legs, or when I am on the move!  They keep me occupied and entertained reading what is going on within my social circle and family, the ability to rant on them and gain support from others is so helpful and can lift the spirits when living and coping with a chronic health condition.  They also provide me with the opportunity to network with other health bloggers and get the word about my latest blog post!!

Another app that I have recently discovered, and have been raving about as it so useful for those of us who may be battling with a chronic condition, one which like mine is completely unpredictable, not knowing what today is going to bring, whether it will be a good or a bad day.  So, one option would be to keep track of each day – the severity of the symptoms experienced, and keeping a note of activities or possible triggers which may have contributed to the worsening of symptoms.  And now I have found the perfect app to do this – introducing the Symple Health Tracker, which is advertised as a daily symptom diary.  It’s so quick and easy to fill in, only takes a few seconds to complete.  In the full application (which you have to pay for) the user is able to track up to 20 symptoms at a time, and can even set up reminders so you never miss a day completing the diary.  In addition you are able to set up custom tags to record possible triggers or perhaps the medications that you are taking or other therapies a person may be undergoing.  There is also the options to jot down notes about the day or how you felt, and can even upload photographs for a visual history of rashes or swollen joints.

All this makes it so much easier to keep track of the symptoms experienced with your specific condition, illness or disability and with the ability to add ‘tags’, it may be that you are able to spot specific patterns to the symptoms experienced, if medications are effective or not, or even whether there triggers that you didn’t even know existed so you are able to change your lifestyle and help you gain more control over your health – and hopefully improve your over all health.   Here is a link to the app for the iPhone: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/symple-symptom-tracker/id479818115?mt=8


So, I don’t know whether or not any of you are like me, but I am constantly forgetting to take my medications – and now patients are able to download an app to remind them to take the medications at specific times, for example, I have to take 3 doses of one of my medications, and I like to take it at regular intervals – I usually take 1 dose at 9.00 a.m., then again at 3 p.m. and the last one at 9.00 p.m.. however I was finding that at times I was so busy or engrossed in what I was doing that I kept forgetting to take them.  So, I decided to download an app to remind myself when to take them – and lo and behold I now never forget to take any of my medications.

Now there are many different options for this specific type of application, but the best that I have found is called the Pillboxie – an easy and visual way to take your medications.  There are many different medications out there, all in different shapes, sizes and even colours.  With the Pillboxie you simply add the name of the medication you want it to remember and select the appearance of the pill (selecting what shape and colour the specific pill is) and the times which you want to take it and it’s done!!  And you never have to forget to take your medications again!  And for those who may have to inject themselves or use drops there is also an option for these too if again you need to remember when to use these.

Link to the app for iPhone: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pillboxie/id417367089?mt=8

And the last app, that I am going to talk about is Evernote – now, it isn’t a health app but I find it extremely useful in saving any information, web pages, links or even a specific passage that I might come across regarding anything to do with my health, symptoms or condition so I never have to forget where I found the information. Or even if I for an appointment with my GP or consultant and he says something which is important, I can even create my own note and type away.  With Evernote it’s not only text that you can save but you can even save photographs, or even an audio clip!!  And there are even different options to access the things that you have saved – it has been said that it works with nearly every computer, phone and mobile device out there.  Here is an image of how it works:

Image take from: http://johnkendrick.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/evernote.jpg

So there are some of my favourite apps for my iPod and iPhone, do any of you have any recommendations on any other health related apps that are available? – I would love to know what some of your favourite apps are.  So get involved and let us all know the best  health apps that are out there!!

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Will the London 2012 Olympics really benefit everyone?

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Hello again!! Sorry I haven’t posted anything for a while but have been busy with volunteering and the new group which I attend in my local town. At the minute we are preparing a newsletter to promote the group for which I have written an article for and other bits and pieces.

Anyway as June is upon us, it has been well advertised that the Olympics are nearly among us, in fact today marks 56 days until the Opening Ceremony. An event which has been said is going to benefit London as a whole. However how accurate is this particular statement? Especially for those with disabilities and the house-bound living near the Olympic Stadium and the other venues that will host events during the games.

During the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games many services tailored for the disabled community will cease during the three months that the games will take place. For those disabled people, plus not forgetting the elderly population it means that the ‘Meals on Wheels’ service, that is vital for so many, particularly those living on their own or for whatever reason are unable to cook for themselves, will not be able to deliver the service due to many roads closures that will take place during the Summer.

In addition, many of the supermarkets surrounding East London have also notified many customers that they will unable to deliver their groceries during build-up to and during the games. This will obviously have an adverse impact on those disabled people, who may live alone and rely heavily on the convenience of internet shopping and will need to seek alternative arrangements. Also, for many disabled or elderly people, it can be a real struggle to get out of the house, take for example, myself I am dependent on my father to take me to doctors’ and hospital appointments and other places where I may need to go – however, if my father is unable to take me because he is unavailable, then I rely solely on taxi’s to get me to wherever I need to go. However, for those living close to the Olympic Stadium, and other areas, this foe them will no longer be an option due to security road closures.

Image: http://www.reducedmobility.eu/The-News/the-london2012-olympics-and-paralympics-accessible-to-all-except-the-disabled.html

So, for many elderly and disabled people these 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games will leave them prisoner in their homes, isolated and alone, a stark contrast to the vibrant and exciting party atmosphere that it will create for the London community. And it is not just the inconvenience it will create for the elderly and disabled, having meals-on-wheels delivered as well as supermarket deliveries, not alone provide people with the necessities that is needed to live but also provides the ability for social interaction, without that many people would be alone without having anyone to talk too.

It may also mean that the disabled and elderly will be unable to make medical appointments, which for may are necessary to stay on track with medical conditions, and without could mean the difference between life and death. Other services which could also be affected during the Olympic Games for many disabled and elderly residents are services such as:

  • Personal Assistants, Carers or Social Workers unable to visit due to road closures or lack of parking due to the high number of visitors in London
  • Lunch Clubs and other Community Centres
  • Friends and family being able to visit
  • Benefits Service
  • Libraries

And the list goes on and on!! I am personally not affected by these changes, as I do not live in London but as a disabled person myself I can empathise with the plight of so many that will be affected by the problems that the Olympics will have on many services and businesses that are relied upon by the elderly or disabled. It is just a shame that these people have been forgotten about during the man reports and stories that have emerged on the news and other programmes about the London 2012 Olympic Games.

It is said that will rejuvenate and reinvent many parts of London and will benefit London as a whole but the real question is: ‘Will it really benefit all Londoners, or just a select few’?

And that will the impact be for the elderly and disabled living in London?

A person on Facebook has set up a page entitled ‘London 2012 Should NOT Mean Vulnerable People Suffer which you can also visit for more information and a link to a petition urging the government to take urgent action to prevent individuals with mobility problems suffering and being imprisoned in their homes during the Olympics. You can visit the page here

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WEGO Health: Myth Mugshot Photo Contest!!

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Hey Everyone

Right for those who are on Facebook, I would really appreciate some help.  For May, the folks at WEGO Health are aiming to dispel common misconceptions and myths surrounding illness and disabilities.

One of the ways in which they are raising awareness of different health conditions and causes is to hold a ‘Myth Mugshot Photo Contest’ which gets patients, carers of health activists like myself to share something that is true and important to their particular condition or cause, and to upload a photograph of ourselves holding a piece of paper that tells the truth about the person’s particular health condition.

I ave decided to share the following:

Hidden Disabilities DO Exist

There are many people still out there who still believe that if a person does not look sick or disabled then there can’t be much wrong with them.  This of course is s a huge misconception as there a large number of health conditions which are hidden, and cannot tell by looking at someone that they have a particular health condition.  These include conditions such as depression, anxiety, diabetes, neurological conditions, those with brain injuries and the list goes on and on.

So please for those who are on Facebook please visit the WEGO Health Myth Mugshots Photo Contest Page (just click the link!) and ‘Like’ my photo (the 14th one on the page) of me holding a sheet which says my truth (“Hidden Disabilities DO Exist”)

Thank you

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