Nothing really changes for me if I can stay away from chest infections, I can stay pretty healthy.
It was my first day back at the Gym today and I could only get 8% activity by myself on the Medi motion bike. I changed the bike so it worked my arms, in doing this I managed to do 7 minutes. I did some weights after but I felt tired after my time on the hand bike, so I called it a day and went home. I have not done any exercising as I have been away for 2 weeks so I expected to be worse.
My carers are not allowed to do my stretching until a Physio or Sports Therapist has shown them what to do.
So I have just had 2 weeks away at a Respite in Waterside House, Netley in Southampton. I had a great time at Netley, youth week summer games are always a good time to go.
Everyone staying at Waterside House, even the staff are put into groups, you have to earn points throughout the week, I was Yellow group unfortunately we came last again lol.
Music is played most of the time in the centre, DJ Dan plays music most evenings and I thought the music was good. However I am an 80’s child so I kept that quite as it was youth week, I think lack of hair on my head may have given the secret away!! My date of birth will confirm that😃
We went on a day trip to Sandown Isle of Wight; the temperature was so hot that day.
The task was to ask a shop assistant if they had anything with Sandown on it for free to earn points for your team. I was not able to ask the volunteer to ask for me, they said I was too polite to ask!
I really enjoyed the day trip to Windsor Castle; the temperature was even hotter in London, the grass was so dry. I went around the Abbey where Prince Harry and Meghan Markel got married. I also went around the rooms where Kings and Queens have stayed over the decades. I got a selfie with Prince Harry and Meghan, well a selfie of a picture with those two anyway! I also had a selfie of me sticking my finger on Queen Victoria’s backside, thanks Steve!
Towards the end of the week we went on a relaxing boat trip on the river Hamble. We nearly did not get there, we misheard what the man from the boat company said, which gave us wrong instructions. Anyway we got there in the end and it was well worth the wait, I thoroughly enjoyed myself cruising up the river Hamble in an open top boat.
On the last day of youth week we had the Summer games, this involved having a Treasure Hunt around Netley. Four clues were hidden around the village, one lead to the other one and so on, I think it then led to the main clue. My Wheelchair was slower than everyone else so I missed out on answering most clues.
We had a water and powder paint fight where we all had to wear a mask so we did not breath in the paint dust. There were various different games which made it an enjoyable day but very messy. There was a Firework display in the evening, I went upstairs for a better view on the balcony, the trouble was it had finished by the time I got there... unlike me to be late 😀
The second week we went to Southsea opposite The Isle of Wight where you watch cruise ships and large ships going to Portsmouth or Southampton. We visited Blue Reef Aquarium which was good, it was another hot day so when we got back I sat in front of the fan to help me recover and regulate my heat.
I went shopping with Alice, my friend who is a Carer/Volunteer from Peru, I always have fun going shopping with Alice. I bought 4 Tee Shirts from Primark, they have some good Tee Shirts in Primark.
I went to Portsmouth Dockyard where we found the Mary Rose museum. I have been there before, I was getting hot again so at least it gave me the opportunity to get out of the sun. I went up the Spinnaker tower with views of the Dockyard in the sunshine, last time i was here it was cloudy.
I had a great time over the last two weeks the weather was amazing, we only had one day of rain.
The one thing that has pleased me is that I have only had one evening of pain in my shoulders. Laura the Masseuse at the Kent MS Therapy Centre has been treating me with Hot Stone Massage on my shoulders once a week, it has really helped relax my shoulders, particularly my trapezius muscles . The reason I usually get pain in my shoulders is due to being in my Wheelchair for most of the day and if I am in the wrong position.
I look forward to my massage with Laura on a Thursday, we have a good laugh and she takes the time to listen to me.
One thing I get really frustrated with is when I am speaking to someone and they say ‘yer’ like they understand what I said, when I can tell by their face that they in fact potentially did not. I know I am not easy to understand, most people will say ‘sorry’ then keep saying sorry till they understand me. I much prefer them saying ‘sorry’ until I can become clear.
Sometimes I feel like saying to people who don’t take the time to truly listen and understand ‘what did I say?’ but I would not say that as it is rude and I wouldn’t want to make them feel awkward. However most people do not say ‘yer’ when they do not understand me.
I really do not mind the person speaking to me keep saying ‘sorry’ until they understand, it may take a little longer but it makes me feel like what I feel or have to say matters.
