4 years ago today I was getting measured up for my #trekinetic #k2 wheelchair! Literally the best decision I ever made. My first positive steps toward taking myself seriously and looking for solutions rather than problems in managing my #EhlersDanlosSyndrome and all the ways in which it impacts my life. My chair allowed me to break the boom and bust cycle of pain and fatigue, helped me to be more positive & proactive in managing my health & wellbeing, and gave me back the ability to do so much that I wasn't able to do at the time. It even meant I was able to meditate comfortably for the first time, as I could incline the chair and it has a neck rest to support my head. It helped me to see that improving my strength could make big differences in my mobility and wellbeing, as I started to work on my upper body strength so I could be more independent with my chair, and working on my cardio so I could push further. I've traveled the world with my wheelchair but nowadays I generally only need it when I'm at events which run over one day or if I'm needing to be on my feet for long periods, as I still experience a lot of joint and spinal pain & wobbliness, especially when fatigued. Sometimes it just takes that first step toward making a positive change when everything else seems to have no hope, no chance for improving. Taking that decision to get a wheelchair was hard. I knew about a year beforehand that I needed to go down this route if I was going to make progress but it took time for me to get myself fully on board with that decision. Many tears were shed. Much frustration was aired. Tonnes of self doubt and criticism came to the surface. Lots of projecting my insecurities onto others which mostly manifested as stories I told myself about what people would think and say. My dear GFR group and @jford.uk helped to hold me through this process and support me, for which I am eternally grateful. Other friends helped to inspire me with kind words and support, and some showed me ways that I could start to work on my strength & fitness, encouraged and cajoled me into keeping going when it was tough. Here we are. What a change ♥️
