Mindset and a new Gadget!

I've been a member of the MS Gym for almost two years now and a member of the Light Therapy and MS group since last Summer, as well as knowing a few local people with MS. Personally I don't like to surround myself too much with 'MS' this is because I have an extremely positive outlook on my health and too much exposure to people who have an alternative mindset can start to wear off on you. There is this really strong inner desire to wave my magic mindset wand on every MSer I come across, however I have learnt over time that some people just don't want to be sprinkled with positivity. I find that really hard to accept, as mindset is a big part of improving your life. There is an old saying that if you smile more you will be happier and I truly believe the same can be applied to your mindset. The number of times I see posts where people have stopped exercising or stopped taking Taopatches because it hasn't delivered results in the way they've anticipated is beyond me. There is no fixed rule for anyone with MS - it isn't like treating cancer (and let's be grateful for the fact we don't have cancer or any other life threatening disease), so many factors can influence outcomes and having a positive outlook towards results can make a difference.

Firstly I would always set realistic expectations - for example, Taopatches are not a cure but I think too many people believe they are. They are just another piece of the puzzle there to assist us and make life easier, but if you think you are just going to start using them and see instant results then you are going to be truly disappointed - which will lead to you just giving up and never using them again, or asking for your money back. You have set yourself up to fail from Day One and as such this will have a negative impact on your mindset. Instead, be realistic, read other people's experiences and see how their journey started and where they are now. They say knowledge is power - therefore reading the instructions properly is absolutely crucial, it sounds so simple but I am absolutely sure that many of the people who gave up on Taopatches after a few weeks didn't read the instructions because if they did they would have tried the two detox stages and by that point they would be at the end of month 3 not a few weeks into the process.

Be POSITIVE in everything you do - MS is not a killer! There are far worse things in this world and everyone is impacted by something. Yes, MS makes life harder - believe me, I know this. I wish I could walk properly - I wish I didn't get soaked in the rain because I can't dash to my car, it's infuriating. I miss being able to just do something without having to think it through, I hate the fact I can't just go somewhere and pop in and pop out again BUT there are worse things. I am alive, I am actually pretty healthy MS aside, I have an amazing husband who is always there for me, and me for him. I have a home, I have fab friends, we have money in the bank - life is hard for so many people in so many ways that I can't see the point in being miserable because of my MS. It doesn't really stop me doing most things, and so what if I have to be pushed in a wheelchair - it doesn't change how my friends see me. It's how you see and interact with the world that changes how it appears to you. I recall once seeing someone post in a group that they were meant to be meeting up with a friend they hadn't seen for years, and were thinking of cancelling because they were concerned about how the friend would react to their disability. Firstly if they are a friend then they won't care, we shouldn't be ashamed of our disability - MS can happen to anyone at anytime as well any number of other diseases or accidents that can cause disabilities. Secondly, life is too short, we should do as many things as we can and enjoy life even if it is harder for us. I love nothing more than seeing my friends, they are actually my mindset medicine and are important for helping you to feel good. Don't shy away from seeing people and doing things, and if you need to use a wheelchair so you can enjoy whatever adventure comes your way then do.

I remember the first time I used a wheelchair, I purchased one because we were going to Guernsey (2017) for a mini break and I didn't want my slow walking to interfere with our days out. I purchased a Days Escape lightweight one from Amazon, it folds up and doesn't take up too much space plus you can take it all the way up to the aeroplane and then they store it for you and bring it back as you depart from the plane. It was the best decision I had made a that time. I know it's hard to come to terms with having to use one but honestly if it means you have more energy for other things, then it's worthwhile. We decided whilst we were in Guernsey to visit Herm Island - being new to a wheelchair we didn't think about planning our trip we just grabbed our stuff, got on the ferry and away we went. We didn't know anything about the Island but just assumed there would be a beach where we could chill out. Well, there are definitely beaches but they are not where the ferry drops you - which if memory serves me correctly meant a walk up several steps to get to the actual land part! On reflection it probably wasn't a wheelchair friendly place but we didn't know that and hadn't asked in advance. After departing the ferry and Stu having to carry the wheelchair up and then come back for me, we took off in search of the beach. There were a few signs so we just picked one and went in that direction. I can't remember how long it took us, but I do remember the laughing and cursing as we went from path, to field, to pebbles, to mud paths up and then down. Basically the beach was on the other side of the Island and we had to track through fields and mud paths to get there, and of course it wasn't flat. I don't think we have ever laughed so much, and poor Stu he was exhausted by the time we go there. The beach itself was down a very steep slope, I honestly thought I was going to fly out of the wheelchair on the way down but made it. It was a beautiful day (although very breezy) and I recall we had a lovely time just lying there reading our books and chilling out but the whole time thinking we've got to go back and face that horrific journey again!

As we were leaving, two very helpful guys helped carry me in the wheelchair to the top of the slope and telling us that there was a much quicker way back - through the island. It was definitely a shorter route but it was also a steep climb up and then down again - I now know how it feels for young children when we just push them around with no thought about how it feels for them! It's pretty scary when you think you might fly out! We survived though and managed to find a restaurant for some food and a drink to calm our nerves before heading back on the ferry. I won't be visiting Herm again but what I did learn is that it didn't matter that it was more challenging for us, we still had a lovely time together and the motto 'have wheelchair will travel' is definitely one that I follow! If you haven't been to Guernsey or Jersey then I recommend them both - they are such lovely places to visit with lots to do. It's definitely on our list for when the skies open again and we can get back to holidays and days out.

My New Gadget

I told you I was a gadget Queen and for Christmas my lovely husband got me a massage gun - and it is amazing! It's now my favourite tool for helping relax my muscles. Since my spasticity has reduced in my knee I have started getting knee pain when I stand up and walk - my osteopath has told me this isn't surprising as all of a sudden my muscles are waking up and being used after a long period of being asleep. He said it could take up to 6 months for it to improve so I need to work on strengthening the muscles and also massaging them. This massage gun is absolutely ideal for that because it has a number of different attachments which help you get right into the knee and the wishbone attachment is amazing on your achilles heel and up your calf. You can use the smaller attachments on your feet and hands as well. I absolutely love this, it was definitely worth every penny he paid for it.

There are two functions - MEDI and FITNESS - Medi - only goes up to 2 levels whereas Fitness goes up to 9. The instructions aren't clear on how you switch between functions but a quick look on Amazon reviews and I discovered you just double tap the button to move between. I typically use Fitness level 6 except for when I am doing my feet and hands, then I use Medi level 1 or 2. It's a more gentle massage.

Here's a short video showing how you can get into the crease of the knee which is really helping with my knee pain.

So if you are looking for a new massager then give this one a try, I don't think you will be disappointed.

That's me done for today, going to do my Bed Built workout day 1 and my BGB Boot Camp day 8 before reading some more of my book and properly bingeing on Fringe with the husband - I watched it all when it first came out but he's never seen it so we have started from Season 1. I am loving it just as much as I did the first time - plus if you like me, are a Joshua Jackson fan then you can just enjoy watching him on the screen (sorry husband, don't worry you are still my number 1)

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