Tips for Carers by Sophie Harvey
seeing a friend, or disappearing into a good book. Carers take on a lot of responsibility, so I think enjoying and engaging in things that can take my mind off caring for a while is important. I am of more use to the person I am caring for when I am recharged, rather than when I am exhausted or emotionally drained.HMSA announces Dr Phillip Bull as a new Trustee!
‘It is great to welcome Dr Bull to the board. His governance experience and knowledge base developed throughout his NHS career will be a significant benefit for the HMSA, as it moves forward with its plans for the next 5 years. Fantastic news!’ – Donna Wicks CEO
Dr Philip Bull, FRCP
Dr Bull trained at St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School and then undertook senior specialty training in both Rheumatology and Acute Medicine at a Westminster and Charing Cross Hospitals. He worked as Consultant Rheumatologist at East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust based at the William Harvey Hospital from 1990 to 2014. During that time he developed a major interest in joint hypermobility and also held a senior management role as Clinical Director for medical services from 1994 to 2010.
Dr Bull has brings his particular experience in hypermobility spectrum disorder and service development as Deputy Chief Medical Advisor to the HMSA. With regards to his clinical practice ( private) these include two rheumatology clinics , at the ‘One Hospital’ in Ashford and also ‘The Chaucer Hospital’ in Canterbury.
Dr Bull is also involved in medical education , running a rheumatology syllabus for East Kent Hospitals medical students and junior doctors as well as local GP’s , health professionals and patient groups.
Dr Bull is the clinical lead for the Kent Hypermobility Network and works on a voluntary basis for the HMSA and also, as a hospital governor for East Kent Hospitals. He has a particular interest in the Alexander Technique and Mindfulness.
In his spare time , Dr Bull plays bass guitar in an acoustic rock band.
Dr Bull joined the HMSA’s medical advisory board in November 2016.
13 Sleeps until the holidays! Kids and Teens with Lara Compton
My eldest met her new teacher yesterday, I must admit, it’s made me feel quite nervous – having to go through all of her needs again in September. And she’ll be in Year 6, so we’ll have to tackle the residential too.
These are only my fears, my daughter is as happy as Larry – so we must be doing something right.
She has a care plan, which is up to date, and I’ll definitely be ordering some more of the HMSA booklets for educators, particularly, as now our youngest has been diagnosed with hypermobility by my GP too – we already knew of course, it’s just formal now.
Both girls got glowing reports, and what struck me is their determination to keep going, despite the odds. I’d imagine that most of our children and young people come under that bracket, as do we as parents. Sometimes, I think we all play down this determination, as it becomes our normal – but I’d like to recognise it, in all of us today – well done all of you for keeping going through pain, injuries, exhaustion, hospital appointments, disappointments, and so much more!
And for now, we are going to continue counting down the days until we can turn off our alarms!! 13 sleeps for us! Woohoo!
– Lara Compton – Social media volunteer
Welcome along to this week’s #SelfCareSunday!
We usually use this time to relfect on the week just gone, how we did with our self care, pacing, self management ect.
This week, I would like to us to look forward…
How will you plan your week to ensure you give yourself some ‘me‘ time? I know a lot of us will feel guilty for wanting or needing time to ourselves, we really shouldn’t. Even if it is making sure you give yourself half an hour to have a long soak in a hot bath. I set reminders on my phone to ensure I do something I love. This helps with pain reduction and distraction techniques from pain. It could be anything from a bath, to meditation, deep muscle relaxation, pilates class, swimming etc. – Kim 🙂
Achievements and Hobbies with Hypermobility by Sophie Harvey
Around this time last year, I was officially diagnosed with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder, but I also set up my Etsy shop. My shop has been a fantastic pain management technique, taking my mind off the joint pain caused by Hypermobility. I named my Etsy shop ‘Wend And Amble’, as a reminder to myself. To ‘wend’ means to go in a particular direction by an indirect path, and to ‘amble’ is to walk at a slow, relaxed pace. It reminds me that even though Hypermobility has made me slow down, I will achieve my goals, just in my own way and at my own pace. I have learnt a lot over this past year from working on ‘Wend And Amble’ with Hypermobility.
One of the lessons I have learnt is that there is no ‘normal’. If I feel I am doing things differently to everyone else, that is true. Everyone lives their life differently to everyone else. So, I’ve tried not to think about what is the ‘normal’ way of doing things, rather what is ‘normal for me’. If that means I achieve things slowly, or in an adapted way, so be it.
Trying to aim for progress instead of perfection has been important to me. I strive to enjoy the process of doing something and celebrate the progress I have made. I tend to forget how far I’ve come, so it’s great to celebrate the little achievements along the way, just as much as the big ones.
I also try to focus on what I can do, instead of what I can’t. When I find myself comparing myself to others, I try to focus on my current progress towards what I want to achieve. I know that I will get there, just one step at a time.
Now I have come to understand that taking breaks and resting is an achievement too. I’m making sure I have enough energy to do what I want to do. It’s like the oxygen masks in airplanes – they tell you to put your own mask on before helping others.
I also know that setbacks are part of the process and that’s ok. I try to see them as a way of re-evaluating what is working and what isn’t. It’s an opportunity to know what I can do better next time. It’s still progress.
In addition, I try draw on the experience and expertise of family, friends, the Hypermobility Syndromes Association and professionals when I am trying to work out how to achieve things. I am continually in awe of the amazing ideas they come up with to help me achieve the goals I would like to accomplish. I listen to their ideas and then try to trust my instincts about which ideas feel right for me to move forward with.
Lastly, one of the most important things I have come to understand is that, as long as I am doing something I value, then I am achieving something. If it is contributing to the kind of person I strive be and I am doing my best, that is all I can do. There is hope, and just because I have Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder doesn’t mean that I can’t achieve things, it just means that I achieve things at a pace and on a path that is normal for me. I am wending and ambling and that is completely and utterly ok.
