By Denise Watson Have you noticed that technology is constantly changing the product as we know it, adding more whizzes and bangs and making physical participation in life less and less? Let’s look no further than that simple black and white television of yesteryear which, dare I say, came into my family’s life as a [...]

Whether it’s loss of limb or loss of use, quality of life is affected. Impaired use can come about in so many ways and getting to grips with lifestyle changes won’t happen overnight. Okay, you have lost the use of your left arm and hand. This isn’t your dominant hand but think about when you [...]

By Denise Life isn’t so easy when you have some fingers missing and the difficulty isn’t easy to describe either, because it depends on which fingers you don’t have. Take for instance that one of your thumbs is missing. Grip is now seriously affected, because it’s that wrapping your fingers around something that makes for [...]

It is difficult to say when the idea of the wheelchair was first thought of though a stone slate in China which is said to date back to the sixth century showed an inscription which indicated a very crude version was in existence then.  Another historical recording states that an ‘invalid chair’ was invented in [...]

1st. October 2011. Dear Diary, I’m trying to get my head round the terms ‘disabled’ and ‘old age’. I know that one can come on well before the other, that there is a sort of ‘set time’ for old age but I’m wondering ‘does old age make you disabled?’ It’s 10 o’clock. Goodnight. 3rd. October [...]

By Denise Watson The five senses – sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell.  Though we can’t imagine life without them, we probably don’t know how valuable they are until they’re not there anymore.Sight is so very important.  They do say that only five per cent of people registered blind can’t see but we’re still talking [...]

Have you ever been caught short? I have but it’s always been my own fault. ‘I must finish what I’m doing, before I go to the loo’ or ‘ten minutes and I’ll be home’ – that kind of thing. And there are certain trigger points too, like when the key goes in the door lock, [...]

How hobbies can help with chronic pain By Claire Hovey Hobbies, pastimes, pursuits, diversions, distractions, sideline amusements – all wildly underrated gadgets in the DIY pain-buster toolbox. This month’s blog is sponsored by the couch as I’m enjoying a delicious flare-up that is so disruptive, it can only be welcomed as an opportunity to watch [...]

by Denise Watson If you haven’t worked in residential care, you won’t understand the lifestyle and may not be able to appreciate how life for the new incumbent changes. Let me give you an insight into what can be expected, though all homes are different:- The morning staff come on duty and all residents are [...]

By Denise Watson Denise explores Sciatica, the problems it causes, and the solutions and aids that can help. Have you ever had a trapped nerve in your leg – you know, at the point where that ball of the femur bone fits into the hip socket? If you haven’t, let me tell you that it [...]