Tag: Cerebral Palsy

Saying goodbye to my current wheelchair

Although I don’t remember exactly when I got my current wheelchair (which sometimes call Louise) I think it was some time while I was in Sixth Form, so between the ages of 16-18.

Although I try hard to use my walking frame Martha as much as possible, my wheelchair has still had rather a lot of use over the years. I use it if I know I’m going to be walking longer distances or out of the house for a long time. It’s also really handy when ill, tired or having one of those things that I personally like to call ‘a bad CP day’.

Lately, I started noticing that it was in need of a service for lots of different reasons. It had been a while since the last one, so I got in touch with Wheelchair Services and asked them to take a look.

They came out and did what they could on the day (tightening things up and so on) and then told me that they’d organise for me to get a new chair, which it has to be said, I’m strangely feeling quite excited about.

Usually when it comes to having to get a new walking frame I always feel quite sad about it. I never really want to stop using the one I have, and there’s usually lots of memories attached to it. The thing is that there are lots of memories attached to my current wheelchair too. I took it to university with me as well as my walking frame, I took it on my recent trip to London and I used it in a play that I did with my university drama society. Yet, I think that part of me is looking forward to the prospect of getting a new chair. I want to see what it will look like and I want to see how easily I will find it to push myself around in. I want to see how small it will fold up.

Looking forward to getting a new wheelchair is a new feeling to me, and one that’s taken me by surprise if I’m honest with you. I won’t be sad to see my old one go, I’m just curious to find out what my next one will be like. That’s okay, right?

I still plan on using my walking frame as much as possible though. I love walking around and knowing that I do it as much as I can, but maybe a change of wheelchair won’t be such a bad thing?

 

Yesterday’s physio appointment

I went to see my physio yesterday so that we could discuss if my Boxtox injections I had earlier this month had made a difference. Before I went into the appointment, I knew that I was starting to notice some changes myself. I’m already starting to feel less tight and my muscles didn’t feel as tight as they had previously done when I was having physio. I felt slightly nervous going into the appointment because I really hoped that my physio would agree with me and I didn’t want to feel like I’d let anyone down, especially myself.

Well, I’m very pleased to report that she was impressed! She started doing lots of my stretches and told me that she was pleased, so I told her about all the hard work that my family have been putting in to help me get the most out of the injections and she seemed really happy about that too. They’ve been helping out with the ones that I find it very difficult to do by myself, and constantly reminding me to keep going through those that I can do. Believe me when I say this support makes a huge difference and helps me stay motivated.

She gave me some new exercises to try, neither of which I find very easy at the moment, but I’ll just have to keep going with them until it gets easier. Then we did some work where I walk and stand while holding onto a bar on either side of me. She also said that she was impressed with how straight I was standing up too when she got me to focus on doing that. I’m not a medical professional so I don’t know if this is down to the Botox or not, but I was still glad that she was pleased.

Needless to say, I left the appointment feeling very happy indeed.

Physio again

Wow, I can’t believe that my next physio appointment has rolled around already. Today I’m off there and my physio and I will discuss if we think my recent  Botox injections have worked, and how much of a difference they may be starting to make.

Since having them done I’ve been putting in a lot of work, with the help of my family, into my stretches. There are plenty that I can do for myself but there’s still some I need help with. Before I had them done, I was surprised at just how tight all my muscles were feeling and just how much discomfort doing my physio was causing me. It wasn’t a nice thing to have to acknowledge, but at the same time I felt it was a good wake-up call and motivator to put the work in.

I’ve noticed over the last few days that the stretches haven’t been as uncomfortable, so I’m hoping that that is a good sign.

I’m strangely nervous to hear what my physio thinks, but I’m hoping that she’ll be pleased. I’ll let you all know.

As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve now set up a Facebook page for View From a Walking Frame, which you can take a look at here.

My blogging birthday!

Today is the day that View From a Walking Frame finally turns one!

To celebrate, I’ve given the blog a makeover, and created a new Facebook Page which you can ‘Like’ by clicking here. My walking frame Martha and I would love it if you did!

I just want to take a moment to thanks each and every one of you for reading, commenting and sharing the blog. I hope that you’ll all stick with me. Your support really does mean so much and inspires me to tackle things that I might find hard so that I get the reward of being able to write a post telling you all about it.

The past 12 months have been pretty eventful. I’ve been given new splints, conquered my fear of using the bus alone, had some serial casting and managed to fall over and cover myself in gravy, to name but a few of the things that have happened.

Once again, thank you all for reading, and I look forward to telling you all about my adventures for a long time to come.

Nic and Martha

About my splints and wheelchair

Well, my holiday is now over and it’s back to normal for me. Yesterday I went back to the orthotics department because my AFO splint that I’m supposed to wear during in the day still isn’t comfortable on my left foot. The one for my right foot is really comfortable and I could easily wear that one all day. Sometimes it takes a while to get these things right.

My day splints
My day splints

My orthotist tried blowing the splint out one last time to see if that would make it less tight. It helped a bit but not enough. He decided that he would recast that splint at an angle that should be more comfortable for my foot to tolerate. I should have it in a couple of weeks or so. In the meantime I just have to try and wear my current left one as much as I can without making myself too sore. I’m still keeping the really comfy right-foot one.

While I was there I also took my night splints back in because the walking grips that I had put on them a few weeks ago were starting to peel off. They’ve been set off to be re-glued and I should have them back soon too.

My night splints
My night splints

This morning I’ve also made an appointment to have my wheelchair booked in for a service. It’s been a while since in had one done and I think there’s a few things that need looking at. I’m not a professional so I don’t know for sure, but I’d rather get them checked out. That should be happening within the next few days so I’ll let you know what happens there too.