Fitness means maintaining my strength and movement as best I can as I live with a disability. I need to really listen to my body, so I don’t push too hard as this means months of recovery. Good discomfort from muscles being used is highly distinguishable from pain to me, so pacing is so important.
There are many hidden aspects to my health. If I try too hard I can twist my bowel as I live with cecal volvulus making it very easy to totally obstruct. This is excruciating. I live with a breathing disease from Tracheobronchomalacia so have to rest after little movement. My chronic pain from much cartilage damage and inflammation needs to be respected from Relapsing Polychondritis.
Using a wheelchair and mobility scooter allows me to pace and manage my pain; it allows me to do little by little.
Being ambulatory means my equipment is used with my disability much like wearing glasses in order to continue participating.
My favourite activity is swimming where I put no pressure on myself and rest lots. The feeling of pressure being taken away from my joints is such relief. The local pool runs disability sessions making it more inclusive where people with many different impairments attend. As this example shows activity becomes a social welcome as well as being supportive to my wellbeing.
I also do geocaching which has been since 2005. No longer able to access the beautiful terrain I used to, I go wheeling with my friend and between us we enjoy nature. Recently we created a local Tree Walk which brings everyone into the neutral, beautiful environment. Check out the Facebook page!
Adapting and accepting my differences as diseases progress has been key to keeping moving.
