stephc2021

Haiku hope 37 – Old at 42

Hi everyone and welcome to my 37th Haiku Hope – part of the COPE campaign bundle of creative distractions. This time I wanted to write about something that’s really bugging me – the yawning chasm between my real age (42 – which already feels older than I imagined) and the age my body looks andContinue reading “Haiku hope 37 – Old at 42”

Pain bias – why is everything collectively coined as ‘backache’?

There are so many things to be frustrated about when you live with chronic pain and / or chronic fatigue. As soon as your pain becomes ‘chronic’, the level of explanation needed just to get across to family, friends, doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers, what you’re experiencing can mean that you spend most of yourContinue reading “Pain bias – why is everything collectively coined as ‘backache’?”

Agoraphobia update – why do I dread graded exposure?

Let’s start with the obvious question – no, graded exposure is not an experiment where I slowly take off my clothes in front of other people, although that does sound easier than what’s being asked of me. Graded exposure is a form of therapy for people with phobias or phobic tendencies. You may have seenContinue reading “Agoraphobia update – why do I dread graded exposure?”

Haiku hope 36 – Lego

Hi everyone and welcome to my 36th Haiku Hope – part of the COPE campaign bundle of creative distractions. This time I wanted to write about something silly – bloody Lego! I’ve been working on a project with my daughter – Lego is one of the few things I can manage that she also enjoys,Continue reading “Haiku hope 36 – Lego”

Television that took my breath away – my reaction to the ITV1 series ‘Breathtaking’

There’s no question – there are so many great drama series out there right now that every night it’s difficult to work out which one to choose. Last week however, my partner insisted that we should both venture into the ITV1 series called ‘Breathtaking’ . The series is based on a book by the authorContinue reading “Television that took my breath away – my reaction to the ITV1 series ‘Breathtaking’”

Dislocated life – coming to terms with my EDS diagnosis

The last six months have probably been some of the toughest I’ve experienced, certainly from a pain perspective. When I found out in early 2023, that my two Covid infections had left me with POST COVID syndrome, I assumed that most of the answers to my health problems would suddenly become clear. However, not everythingContinue reading “Dislocated life – coming to terms with my EDS diagnosis”

Haiku hope 35 – The Bells

Hi everyone and welcome to my 35th Haiku Hope – part of the COPE campaign bundle of creative distractions. This time I wanted to write about my experiences since being diagnosed with Bells Palsy. If you’d like to know more about Bells Palsy then please look at my blog, where I recently posted more informationContinue reading “Haiku hope 35 – The Bells”

Say hello to Bells Palsy

Although I’m very open about my health you’ll be unsurprised to know there’s an awful lot going on at home that I don’t mention. Why? Well in many cases it’s about privacy for my family. I choose to be open about my story, but it’s not their choice, so I keep some things under wraps.Continue reading “Say hello to Bells Palsy”

Finding cheap chronic pain solutions

Being uncomfortable and trying to mitigate my pain is a daily obstacle for me. I’ve saved up to buy heated pillows, expensive support cushions, feather filled large cushions and I’ve been given support wedges by social services. Despite all these options, I still found myself struggling to get comfy while sitting up. After less thatContinue reading “Finding cheap chronic pain solutions”

Hold humour part 13

Hi everyone, welcome to the 13th edition of awful jokes as part of the Hold Humour distraction project in the COPE campaign. For this collection of 5 jokes, I’ve chosen a selection of random jokes about random subjects. It’s getting close to the end of February, and there’s nothing specific to write about…do I’ve keptContinue reading “Hold humour part 13”