Was it worth it... Hell yes!

 Greetings,

It's been a while, I know. I have been busy writing for my Patreon page which has been keeping me occupied on the writing front. Not much there on FM to tell you the truth. Mostly stuff about fencing and social stuff, though there are some interesting things about disability considerations, and more coming no doubt. I tend to write what I am interested about. Enough of my waffle, let's get to the point...

Story:
Late May, I went to the Bundaberg Show for four days to help some friends with a demonstration of Renaissance fencing, which if you haven't read my blog before, is the thing that keeps me going. I write, and I fence, this is my life. So this experience resulted in me fencing twice a day, for about half an hour against two friends. Camping on a camp-bed. Oh, yeah, and travelling 5 hours by train to get to the place in the first place.

The weekend after this there was an event I went to, for another four days. More fencing all of the days, well most of them, but I am getting to that. Sleeping on a bunk that was too short for me, and travelling to and from by public transport again, as I am medically-disqualified from driving due to my FM. 

The result:
Fibro-flare. I ended up with my arm in a sling for one of the days of the second event, and not fencing. Oh yeah, and a week's recovery, which I am just coming to the end of as I am speaking. Not to mention desperately needing to go and see my physio.

Things I know:

1. Next year the same two events will happen again.
2. Next year I will likely go to the two same events again, and do it all over again.
3. Next year I will likely have the same result unless my FM is gone (yeah, right), or I am much fitter (maybe).

Conclusion:

Some would say I haven't learnt a thing from my experience because I am willing to do it again. Some would say I should learn to look after myself better. Some would say I shouldn't push myself so hard. I say they are "Nay-sayers."

The only question I have to ask is: Was it worth it? If the title of this article doesn't give you the answer, let me repeat that, "Hell yes!" I had one hell of a lot of fun fencing with my friends at the Bundaberg Show and spending evenings with them chatting. I had a lot of fun fencing with old friends and making new ones at the event that followed the weekend after. 

Momento mori - you will die. Yes, so go out and live while you have the chance. Take life by both hands and squeeze every drop of life out of it; be in every moment. Marcus Aurelius said, "Live every day like it was your last." 

Cheers,

Henry.

3 Months Later... A new symptom...

 Greetings,

It has been a while since I have posted on here because I have not really had all that much to say about my FM... days. I dislike calling them "struggles" because that gives the whole thing too much power over me. Sure, I do struggle some days, but I like to think I am on top of it most of the time, even if this concept is only in my head, and that is mostly enough. I have found if I keep myself positive, then that is a good part of the battle. Yup, if you haven't figured it out yet, I am a fighter.

I am the sort of guy who sits on the waiting list to go into the "Persistent Pain Management Clinic" for an extended period of time. I had a second referral sent, because my first one expired. I was told about the appointment well in advance, and decided to investigate pain, and write something about it. You can read it if you like, it's called "On Pain: A Personal Discovery". It was a most interesting investigation. When I went in there for my first appointment and had a chat with their psychologist, she looked at me like, "What are you doing here?" she actually said there wasn't much they could do for me, because I already was doing all they would be teaching me. I dropped a copy of the investigation off for them to read. My next appointment was with the physiotherapist, they gave me the same look. So, I was promptly discharged.

Anyway, I am rambling as I am want to do when I write my posts, I will get back to the point. It looks like the insomnia associated with FM has decided to kick in. My sleep has gradually gotten shorter over the past month or two. When it was getting down around 7 hours, I was a little concerned. This morning I woke up at 3 am, after going to bed at 11 pm the night before. Looks like it is a "thing" now. I will just have to go back and add it to the list I suppose, at least if it settles in without any answers from the doctors. My sleep specialist is not going to be happy. I just hope they don't decide to take my VPAP machine off me. Nope, no typo, I don't have a CPAP, I have a variable pressure machine.

I have Obstructive Sleep Apnoea like other people, but I also have Central Sleep Apnoea as well. The second one means that occasionally my lungs get bored, and just decide not to work. Yup, lots of fun. This explained the really bad sleep I was getting before I was put on the machine and the reason the CPAP machine I was first put on didn't work. Anyway, I think that is enough of an update for now. Still writing, still fencing, my writing is going mostly to my Patreon page, which you should really have a look at if you like my writing. Anyway, I hope you have a comfortable, if not pain-free day.

Cheers,

Henry.

What is a Disability Advocate?

 Greetings,

I thought this subject was pertinent for this blog, even though I have another for my political and social ramblings. However, I want to talk about a disability advocate, and why it is important all of us stand as disability advocates.

No, it doesn't mean you need to go stand on a street corner with a sign, or go hassling people for signatures. We can all advocate in our own ways. I have been posting on my wall, on Facebook, one image per day since July about disability issues, or things related to disability issues. Trying to get some people to think about the issues I am showing. I figure if I can't get my friends to stop, consider, and even care a little, there was little point in me trying to get strangers to do the same.

Advocating for disabilities means, leaving designated spots free for people who need them. Not just carparks, but also seats on trains and buses, and places for wheelchairs and scooters. It means being aware of those who use these devices, and encouraging, and even insisting that others be aware of them as well.

It means being aware of how we speak, not only about others, but ourselves as well. We need to be aware of words which put people down, and also those that lift people up. There are guides available on the internet from the US and Australia as well, not to mention other places. There is even one from the United Nations, which should not be surprising considering the presence of the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities being present. 

Being an advocate is standing up for others, and standing up for humanity. Disability knows no differentiation of sex, race, colour, creed, religion, sexual preference, social status, or any other way people might want to divide us. You will find people with disabilities among all of these groups, so in standing up for disabilities you are standing up for humanity, and the best of humanity.

One quiet voice, can turn into a roar, when they support a cause they believe in. The same voice becomes deafening when it is supported by other voices. Become the voice that begins the roar.

Cheers,

Henry.