Note:Everybody who reads this should talk to their medical practitioner or some sort of fitness professional, like a personal trainer, before they get started with an exercise routine. This article is written both for people with typical health and those without, but the suggestions are easier to map onto your life safely if you don’t have as many medical quirks.
I mention some chronic conditions and how that can affect the kind of exercises you want to do, like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and general hypermobility in your joints or something more specific like Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. And if you’re a wheelchair user, here are some exercises that are specific to you! I’m sorry that I don’t write about you specifically, but I hope you will find encouragement here, too.
A week into the new year, the decorations are down, the Christmas tree is looking forlorn on the back lawn and the kids back to school. Well in our case nearly…..the lovely girl returns tomorrow, the middle child returns to university next weekend and the student engineer returned today, just as the UK train strikes started up.
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Our house has been a mad frenzy of coursework this last week – 2 projects for the final year of Engineering involving analysing the use of Boris bikes in London and Deep Learning (whatever that may be!); the lovely girl has been finishing her sketch books and final piece for her art, although any visitors would have thought she was decorating the lounge!! The title of her works – “I, Me, Mine” and “Blood, Flesh, Bones” – so she has focused on our genetic Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. I have spent some time modelling for her photographs and I wish I could report that they are super glam….but they are not!!! Instead she wanted close ups of my body parts which looked the most veiny – charming.
My Elbow!
Hubby managed the delayed visit to his parents, and whilst he was away I enjoyed reading and sharing a huge variety of blog posts. This is just a small assortment varying from favourite books, to beauty products to a yummy recipe for dairy free ice cream. Two that really stand out, and are poles apart, are Tania’s about her need for a Smartdrive for her wheelchair (I am slightly biased as we share the same condition) and The Bryntin Project’s plea to us all to realise the harm our birthday balloons are doing.
So grab a cuppa and take a break whilst you dive into some fab blog reads. Please comment, like and share!
Please come over and join us and participate in a New Venture over @ The Recipe Hunter and let’s have fun at the Weekly Share and Inspire, Meet and Greet!
We will kick off this new venture next week, Sunday, 7 January 2018, and I would like to welcome all old and new bloggers and trust that this will be a good opportunity for all of us to get to know each other better.
Watch this space and be ready for the first Weekly Share and Inspire, Meet and Greetnext week, Sunday, 7 January 2018.
This is an open invitation to all bloggers from any niche,so please leave us a comment and tell us a little about yourself, and yes, we want you to leave us a link to promote and showcase your own blog.
You can use any link of your choice. You may wish to…
I hope that you have all had a wonderful holiday season – I appreciate that for many of you this will have been hampered by health problems, for others it may be the first year since a bereavement, or just simply a difficult time – but we have to believe that there is always something positive, even out of negatives (hope my eldest is reading…..we call him Mr Glass half empty!).
I’m not going to do a look back at my year and bore you silly…..this week is probably enough. Our week hasn’t gone exactly to plan – when does it ever? – with yours truly managing to fall off the sofa (I know, I know!) and putting out my shoulders, neck, ankle and hip in one foul swoop!! Of course this would be the night before we were due to travel to visit the in laws…..add hubby having a horrendous case of man flu (actually he has the most awful chesty cough and was banished to an empty child’s bed last night!) and the trip is off. if you are reading, Dave and Wendy – I am so sorry! Kids are too as it meant any plans for New Year’s Eve parties in this house were ruined…..the teen girls due to gather decamped to another location and at the time of writing we have had no communications from the lovely girl! Plus one boy still old cold and snoring in bed here, having made it home.
But two huge positives for me were managing a lovely family meal out on Boxing Day, and hosting the extended family the day after. My brother’s family, the student engineer’s partner, and of course my lovely parents…..plus the drone that one very silly auntie bought her nephew for Christmas. Well I didn’t think he would be flying it around my living room!!!
I have put together a huge list of New Year blog posts for you from some of my blogging family…..many from the Big Up Your Blog community, others from Chronic Illness Bloggers. There are reflections, good wishes, goals & resolutions, poetry and don’t miss Phil’s hilarious Predictions from a legit Psychic! Plus the first is a great blogging invitation on Smorgasbord. Sit back with a glass of something good (dry Jan can start tomorrow!) and enjoy.
Clipped Wings – Hear Some Stories of Survival by Jennifer Gilmour
I was fortunate to be a given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
“Our wings were clipped, our restrictions were made, our boundaries were tested but now we are free, aren’t we?
We look above in the sky at the birds and hope to be free. But the birds make their nests in the trees high above, to protect themselves from predators. Free birds must keep looking over their shoulders the same way all of us have to.”
As we reflect upon another year and celebrate the beginning of a new one, I want to share a slightly different book review with you.
Jennifer Gilmour is a young mum, entrepreneur, wife and author. Her first novel “Isolation Junction” was published in 2016 and during the course of her research and publicity surrounding the novel, she reached out and received accounts from people identifying with the novel and wanting to share their experiences. The subject matter of the novel, Jennifer’s own story and the accounts shared with her – domestic abuse. In Clipped Wings, Jennifer shares her own story and those of various victims of domestic abuse – all who have become survivors and share their stories in their own words.
I find that I can’t review this book as I would any other, and I must tell you that I haven’t read the novel Isolation Junction”. However, this is no reason to prevent anyone from reading this enlightening and deeply moving book. Ms Gilmour introduces the book and then tells her own story of domestic abuse, before relaying the stories of other people. Her writing is such that I was able to identify with each individual from Jennifer to Jodi to Michael to Wanda (25 in total) and hear their voices reaching out from the paper telling their own tales. I believe that like many things in life, there may be a stereotypical public perception of domestic abuse – how the abuser and the abused “look”.
These accounts will change that for you – I learnt so much. Not every abusive relationship is borne out of immediate control and violence – some begin with tenderness or passion. Not every abuser is a man – whilst still a taboo, the abused man is now recognised but often reviled by society if his abuser is a woman. But read Michael’s story and you will see that relationships are not black and white, but revolve around a series of emotions that vary in shades of grey. Domestic abuse is not always between a couple, as Lauren recounts with a story of abuse starting at the age of 10 from a close male relative. One experience that I had as a hospice nurse was the realisation that a 23 year old female patient had been abused by her brother – a drug addict and alcoholic. My patient was now dying, but her young daughter was in the care of this man – the child’s uncle. The little girl already had bruises but when cigarette burns started to appear on her arms, we knew that we had to do something – but this was probably one of the hardest decisions as the child’s mother lay dying and she was taken from her one relative. I have never forgotten.
This is not an easy read and at times is emotionally draining. But I kept reminding myself that this is nothing compared to the actual experiences of those involved, and how it must have felt to re-live every moment to commit these experiences to paper. The majority of us have never experienced this abuse, but 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. I do wonder if the men and women currently in abusive relationships will be the ones who can be reached with this book; but there can be no doubt that the more people who can gain some insight and maybe understanding into a victim’s perspective, the easier it becomes to discuss and for victims to understand that what they are going through, physically and emotionally, is not acceptable.
A long review – no apology for such an important topic. I have bought the novel and intend to share this also. Please put aside any preconceived ideas, accept the challenge of this read, and help to spread the message within it. I would probably never have read this normally, but I cannot recommend it enough and suggest a box of tissues to go with it.
Thanks to Jennifer Gilmour and every participant. All images from Ms Gilmour’s site or Google images.
I have just done my first gluten free ( and a few other frees!) Christmas! For various health issues I have had to alter my diet this year – another post for another day, but I shall just say I was feeling really ill! – and am learning as I go along, particularly with gluten and lactose. The supermarkets are catering more and more with “free from” ranges, but some of these seem to me to be ridiculously expensive whilst others are a downright con…..check out the equivalent to certain things in the regular aisles and they are already gluten free and a fraction of the price. Rant over….
Google Image….not my own, yet!!
Anyway, hubby had a brainwave and suggested to my lovely in laws that they buy us a bread maker for Christmas – the idea being that we will make our own gluten free loaves. However I think it will be hijacked by other members of the family, particularly the student engineer who has been almost singing that he will have fresh bread every day. If you could hear him sing, you would know that this is not a good thing for the rest of us – nor has he taken the machine out the box yet to attempt his daily fresh produce. Silly me, that is what mum is for!
Lemon drizzle with Cranberry & orange jam, beneath batter
My dodgy body parts have meant that I haven’t managed bread yet – although I did bake some Victoria sponges and lemon drizzle using my own cranberry & orange jam as gifts for family and friends before Christmas. Being inventive with limited income means uses talents you know you have sometimes!! Last year the festive jam in mini doughnuts worked a treat!
Anyway my blogging friends – I wonder how many of you bake using a bread machine, and who can send me some foolproof gluten free recipes?? Not forgetting something for the student engineer!!
Look forward to your ideas,
Claire x
P.S: My Rickshaw challenge is nearing the end and I hope to complete 150 miles on the exercise bike – not bad considering how much of December I have been laid up. All donations for Children in Need gratefully received – thanks x
Good morning, Pain Pals and welcome to this very special Magic Monday. No inspiring blog posts for you today – you will hopefully have other things to keep you busy today – just a couple of thoughts from yours truly! Some things that have inspired me, moved me, made me laugh, made me cry – or just been grateful for this year!
Christmas jumpers!
c
Chronic Illness Bloggers – for all of the above and for the admin team welcoming me!
H
Hope – without it where would we all be??
R
Reunions – never would have thought this would be my cup of tea, but as I told you all in my blessings post, it was great meeting with old school mates and renewing friendships. Mum and Dad went to one a couple of weeks ago for their old drama group – from 50 odd years ago – and met people they hadn’t seen for nearly as long. UK readers might have heard of the Rev Roger Royale, who was an original member as the church curate – with a party piece that involved getting on the table and belting out “Hey Big Spender” with last orders in the pub. Next year another reunion looms with the girls from my nurse training set…30 years!
I
Inspiring blogs – I feel I have met so many wonderful bloggers writing inspiring words…..about so many different subjects.
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Spirituality – this has nothing to with religion, but about making us all individuals…….I saw this when working in the hospice more than anywhere else. And no, if my kids are reading, I do not mean Spirits!! Although the odd gin goes down pretty well, particularly today! Hic, hic…..Spinal cord stimulator also comes here….it was having mine fitted that prompted the beginnings of PainPals and has given me some much needed relief for chronic nerve pain.
T
The Book Club on Facebook….for some great laughs, some books that made me laugh and cry, and meeting up with you all at our Birthday Party in London.
M
Motability – and my lovely new car. Music, although the big kid in the house, Duncan, plays it far too loud – comes to something when the teenagers are shouting at Dad to turn the music down!! My Mum. Manchester – the outpouring of love following the bombing there this year, for me representative of the good side to human nature.
A
Amazon….oh no, did I really just type that?! It has had pluses and minuses……huge shopping help when I can’t get out, need something fast using Prime, want a change from Netflix or need to stock up the Kindle – minuses: strange things start appearing on the bill that are being delivered to a uni halls of residence, huge shopping time waster when I can’t get out, overstocking up on the Kindle. You get the picture. Art – particularly my daughter’s! Very proud mum, but she will be furious if I write more.
S
Sense 8 – I became completely addicted this year whilst house bound, only to discover that the final seaon had been cancelled. Still absolutely gutted, but hope that the planned grand finale will still be made….pleaseeeeee. Stanger Things…..I spend too much time on the sofa!
Best we were going to get when straight out of bed!
Without further ado I wish you all a very Merry Christmas – thinking of all my chronic friends out there, hoping you have a calm, paced, pain free day!
My lovely friend Cathryn wrote this little ditty that we hope will amuse you all!
Ode to Excess (December 2017):
How many years have we said at this time
We’re not going crazy, just a few gifts are fine.
The kids have so much, they don’t need a thing
We’re lost for inspiration, the money does sting.
Determined to stick to the rules that we’ve set
We proudly congratulate ourselves not to get
Handfulls of gifts from Poundland to fill
Stockings and boxes, a bitter sweet pill.
Yet here we are a week yet to go
We’re edging close and even had snow.
The doubt starts to niggle, we wrestle our minds
“maybe just one more” gift we can find.
One turns to two to three and to four
Then Amazon calling and banging our door.
Panic sets in, have we equalled the spending
Presents still coming, bank balance bending.
Wrapping in secret, while the kids are asleep
Shoving up lofts and cupboards in heaps.
Convincing yourself the spend isn’t too great
Hiding receipts and getting into a state.
Last minute guilt buys for mum and for dad
They’ve leant you money all year but if you don’t you’ll feel bad.
Passing the shops and buying one more
Rushing back home to find somewhere to store.
All under the tree and ready to go
Kids are oblivious how little they know.
As you rock in a corner clutching a gin
Maybe next year you’ll be strong, not give in.
I came upon this review from Zec at Sat on My Butt blog and just knew that I had to share it with you – particularly those in the UK chronic illness community. You might remember that I reviewed a CBD oil last year and I have been interested in trying something but was unsure what might be comparable (the oil that I reviewed was sent from the States)….this could be it! Unfortunately we are currently funding our old dog’s drug habit pain medication, and of course the family will vote that he comes before mum!! But this has been added to my list for Santa!
For the past three weeks I have been using the Medipen.
Medipen aren’t allowed to make any medical claims about their product, but fortunately. nothing stops me from doing that!
So what is a Medipen?
A Medipen is a Cannabinoid delivery device that vaporises the Cannabinoids that are in coconut oil, I am and have always been a non smoker and I have no problem using the Medipen.
The vapour is very smooth and doesn’t make you cough and splutter.
The cartridges contain 1ml of Cannabinoids suspended in a pharmaceutical grade Coconut oil.
What are Cannabinoids?
The Cannabis plant is made up from 114 different compounds, the THC is the compound that gives the psychoactive or high sensation people get when smoking cannabis.
The Medipen cartridges contain CBD, CBDV & CBG which do not give those sensations but they have been proven to help people with a wide ranges of health conditions.
Inside our bodies we have cannabinoid receptors, they are part of the endocannabinoid system.
It is now believed that originally humans would have gathered wild growing cannabis to use as food and our bodies use it to help combat many ills and conditions.
Cannabis has now been bred to contain more and more THC to give people a high and that has led to Cannabis getting a bad reputation and becoming illegal.
I received the Medipen starter kit that comes in a tin and contains The base of the pen that contains the battery and the brains and also a rubber tip on the end that works with touch screen devices.
It also contains a USB charger and a Medipen cartridge containing the Cannabinoids.
It really is foolproof, you screw on the cartridge, place the tip in your mouth and suck and that’s it,no on or off button or settings, it is ready to go at any time.
Photo by Ben O’Sullivan on Unsplash. 
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