In the last couple of weeks I added a new tool to my handbag. Wasn’t planning on it but came across one of those GripIt tools that has about 5 parts to open various containers. I haven’t used it yet but I do feel a greater sense of independence knowing I have it. Which got me to thinking about the other tools I’ve gathered over the years.
Leslie with acupuncture needles
This little play on words occurred to me earlier today as I lay prostrate with various needles in me. It’s a monthly habit. Sometimes there are good habits.
Several years ago a couple of acupuncture student interns were guest speakers at my MDA support group. They gave a little history of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine and promoted a study. They were looking for people with mobility problems. At that time I didn’t qualify. But they discussed a number of ailments that acupuncture has proven helpful for. One of them was carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
I wish I could remember what I first thought of when I heard the words support group. Once I was diagnosed with my condition, nearly 12 years ago, I didn’t waste any time contacting the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Did I ask about a local support group or did they just volunteer the information? I so wish I could remember.
I’ve had the best of intentions to maintain at least a weekly blog…but..somehow…months have passed, and nothing’s been penned.
In early September I went to a Diabetes Summit in Sacramento and then a week later to the IDMC-7 in Würzburg, Germany. So much was swimming through my head…I have written, and mental, notes on lessons learned during these two events…but time has passed. Somehow I’ll address these, perhaps on the Resources Page.
One of the great advantages to being a consultant and having time flexibility is the chance to attend daytime events. A couple of weeks ago I attended the Brain Health Symposium at San Francisco’s Commonwealth Club. Seven highly-qualified and fascinating guest speakers each presented about an area related to brain health. I’ll provide some of the highlights but I encourage you to visit the Commonwealth website to listen to a podcast if anything piques your interest.
Today was a minor milestone; let’s call it a half-milestone. I purchased an assistive walking device. Brief history of my mobility:
I still walk, love to walk, and consider it a gift. I have tripped a lot but thankfully never hurt myself. In the last couple of years I’ve developed drop foot which is common for someone with MMD. This is why I sometimes trip; my feet just don’t have the pick-up and go like they used to.
I was way into Self-Management before I knew anything about the term. My earliest memory of being in touch with how my body felt and trying to do something about it was in college. I’d spent most of my childhood feeling bloated after meals. I did love my mother’s cooking but dinner was the heaviest meal of the day and usually included some type of meat. I thought feeling like a beached whale was normal.
The other evening I attended a session at San Francisco’s Commonwealth Club called, “Assistive Technology for Older Adults.” I was drawn to this because many of the people in the support group I facilitate are older adults AND much of what is marketed toward seniors can help people with certain chronic health conditions.
My goal is to have a blog entry every week day but I know that’s a big goal. So I’m taking small steps to reach that eventual goal. Right now I’m intrigued by the organization process of blogging. I’ve seen blog posts organized by date of entry but can they be dually organized by a theme?
I set up this blog site in February but today — July 23 — is my first posting. Sometimes it takes a little time…but eventually, we get where we want to be, if we really want to be there.
April 11, 2017
April 29, 2016
March 17, 2016
May 26, 2016
September 14, 2017
August 1, 2023
March 26, 2023
January 23, 2023
November 28, 2022
March 17, 2016
February 27, 2018
April 2, 2019
November 14, 2018
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