Wednesday 26 October 2016

Jerusalem



Arrived in Jerusalem, I ate the best pizza ever! 
To 

It was so lovely to walk in the day with Gran and Grandpa, I loved hearing about the history of Jerusalm. Thank you Howard! 
Last time when I was 17 i went to Yad Vashem: the holcaust martyrs and heroes rememberance authority. It was amazing and emotional, however this time it was rushed. It was a shame as I want to learn more about Jewish history. 
What a brilliant view in Jerusalem! I could see the dome on the rock! 

Tuesday 25 October 2016

Tel Aviv

 

Been here three days with mum and Leigh! Loved it and loved it! Tel Aviv is good for access including beach buggys at most of the beaches. We've walked for miles, first day 6 hours and the wheelchair battery nearly died. 

Our favourite cafe! We sat and relaxed in the sunshine. Sat listening to my mum and her travel stories. 

Sunday 4 September 2016

My Right Arm

At the end of July I had a 3 week round trip exploring the countries of Europe visiting Paris, Barcelona and Madrid. During my 4 days of exploring Barcelona on the 2nd day my trip took a turn for the worse. After a full day of sightseeing we decided to stay out and experience the night life it was fantastic but meant that I was out for a full 27 hours without allowing my body to rest. I met so many lovely people all wanting to chat and get to know me and my personal assistants and I was using my communication aid a lot to talk to them.  Many of the locals became quite emotional when they met me because they'd never met anyone disabled before on an adventure like I was. 

That morning we enjoyed watching the sun come up on the beach it was beautiful but all of a sudden I felt my arm lock into place. Straight away I panicked as I couldn't move my arm I didn't know what to do as my wheelchair battery was very low also I was so upset I just wanted to get to my bed to rest. My nightmare continued as we couldn't remember our way back to our youth hostel it took us 3 hours to get back due to no accessible buses or taxis due to it been so early in the morning. I wanted to cry inside I felt so low. Finally we found a bus that arrived in the city but I desperately needed the toilet and saw a McDonald's restaurant near by. I made a dash over and didn't realise there was an accessible lift by the side of the entrance to the restaurant and instead crashed into the step. Once I realised there was a lift at the side I felt a little silly but I was desperate to go to the toilet and struggled to drive my wheelchair. Once in the lift and inside the restaurant there were so many obstacles to tackle before getting to the toilet I felt like I would never get there. After my mad toilet dash I enjoyed a coffee and a croissant desperate for some sugar to help my last leg back to the hostel. 

Once we had finished our breakfast we managed to catch the metro underground as it had opened and was accessible hurray we finally reached the youth hostel I was exhausted. After spending the afternoon in bed I woke at teatime knowing straight away that something wasn't right MY ARM WAS STRAIGHT it would not bend!!! Panic struck as my arm locked into place! HELP I thought! I totally depend on my right arm to drive my electric wheelchair, use my communication aid, sign and even pick my own nose! 

I struggled but carried on going. Talking and using my Dynavox communication aid was extremely difficult it was very uncomfortable and I only spoke when I absolutely had to this was the start of my difficulties and I struggled not having my voice. 

We continued on to Madrid by train once we arrived I felt this youth hostel was special it was wonderful I met so many lovely people here. I became so frustrated as I could not communicate with the wonderful people I had met here this made me feel a little sad as all I could do was follow the signing and lip read what people were saying I was frustrated that I could not join in with the conversations taking place. 

I did not allow my adventure to stop and I kept on going exploring Madrid I absolutely loved Madrid it was such a beautiful place. I enjoyed a night out in Madrid with the people from the youth hostel I danced and laughed enjoying their company, but it was still a huge struggle trying to use my arm. After my night out we arrived back to the hotel at 5am I don't think this helped my arm and it added to making it worse. That day I slept I was exhausted from not using my arm all day it made the situation worse again, now I felt really fed up. It came to our last day at the youth hostel and I felt I could use my arm so tried but straight away I felt my arm lock again I decided it would be more comfortable to use my Dynavox on the table. This helped and was the first time in many days that I managed to speak and use my Dynavox. It was so painful but felt more comfortable. 
On the train to Santa Susana i felt that the relaxing week ahead would help to heal my arm. I even had a massage to ease the discomfort but nothing helped and if anything the pain became stronger. I had to use my dynavox on the table again and could not have it attached to my wheelchair this was too painful. I really started to worry about my arm and the future and felt it wouldn't ever be the same again. I started to panic about things when I got home and the start of a new job coming up, attending college, doing more volunteer work and supporting disabled students to use their communication aids. Everything began to get on top of me I felt sick as I cannot get through life without my voice and using my communication aid and driving my wheelchair. 

I stayed in a nice hotel in Santa Susana and ate really well whereas I hadn't been eating well before. I managed to relax a little and enjoyed the sunshine. When I arrived home from Santa Susana I felt so emotional, drained and tired. As soon as I returned my physiotherapist Penny visited twice to help the arm and joints move again this helped a little but felt so painful and heavy and made me feel so tired and drained.

3 weeks have passed now my arm is still uncomfortable but it is not locked I'm still having to use my Dynavox on the table and find it uncomfortable attached to my chair. I am feeling brighter but now know it will take time to heal. After a trip to the hospital due to the pain they prescribed me medicine to ease the pain and told me I may need further medical help.
I followed this up with a trip to my GP as the discomfort continued and I have now been referred to a shoulder specialist. 

I have been so worried about my arm and how it will be in the future will it ever work the same as it did before. I am now hopeful and feeling better every day I hope I am back to normal soon and back to using my dynavox the same as before.