Being healthy! While having cerebral palsy. Doesn't have to be a struggle!

Trying to be healthy with Cerebral Palsy

Trying to be healthy with this condition can be so hard at times and I have mentioned this in a couple of my posts, such as Exercises or no exercises, and 4 Amazing healthy eating ideas with a disability and since writing these posts originally so much has changed. I have learned a little bit more about the way that food is affected by the way a disabled person digests it. You may think we are the same and yes in many ways we are but we are different. One of the differences I never considered until recently is how we get the nutrients that we need to live.

The physical act of chewing

Every time anyone puts some food in their mouth there is the act of chewing the food. You may think this is the easiest way to get the nutrients that we need and yes it should be. However, it not always the case. Unfortunately, when a disabled person eats food it can be the case that we may not be able to chew the food sufficiently. This means that there are often bigger lumps going into the stomach. Consequently, the nutrients that we need are not got because the stomach is unable to get them.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

Another way that it is possible is to take multivitamin tablets to help your body get the stuff that it needs. 

Ok, so these are great if your want to boost things especially if you are feeling a bit poorly. These are also a great way of boosting everything if you are not able to eat everything. This might be because you are allergic to specific things. This might be fruits, nuts or something else. That's ok but also check that the supplements that you are taking don’t include something you are allergic to because that can cause problems.

Shakes and bars

These are great if you are monitoring what you are eating and drinking. But as I have mentioned in an earlier paragraph chewing or lack of chewing is part of the way of reason for not getting the correct amount of nutrients that you need. A shake might be a good way of boosting everything as you may not be able to chew enough. And that's ok.

Feeding tubes

Another way that is done for people who are unable to chew. For me, this is not something I know about but I do know that this is a way that it is happening at hospitals and homes. So if it is an option for you then you will need to research it. Making your own decisions in the end. 

My take on this

After discovering that because of my disability I have not been able to chew my food properly. I have made a conscious effort to chew more effectively as well as have supplements for anything that I am missing if along with the occasional shake to replace some of the stuff that I need. I have tried many different types of shakes and the one that I have found that works for me the best is Herbalife. I was introduced to it by the Paralympian David Smith. I will do an in-depth review of the shakes I was given in another post as well. as an interview with David Smith about everything, he is about.

What Now?

For me the choice is easy and it's to do a combination of everything because I am the only one leading my life and there are days when I forget to chew my food properly, so I will have a vitamin supplement. There are days where I won't be eating the right stuff so a supplement is needed. And when I don’t feel like eating so to speak yet I will need to have something so again a shake might be an ideal compromise.

Final thoughts

That is up to you and what you think is the best option for you. Because only you can live your own life. No one else can. My advice to you is to research everything you can. but make your own mind up to what you actually need to live your life to the fullest no matter what.

So the year has nearly finished! What a crazy one.

Oh my goodness what a crazy year this has been. A quarter of which has been in yet another lockdown because of the pandemic. If you didn’t know about it, where have you been?

This year has been a year of almost normality yet not! There have been things that have been shut, new rules to follow set by the government. Then more changes as some of the rules were reversed. And as I write more things are happening.  In the sense that other countries are opening up for us to travel to but not everywhere.

What has this year given me?

This year has given me a real sense of change in myself. Yes, I have cerebral palsy but the fact I moved house at the end of 2020. That was a big change in its self after 23 years in the same place. It was a positive move although there were challenges.

What hasn't this year given me?

The biggest thing is that it hasn't allowed me to get the dream home the way I wanted but that's ok. There are more changes ahead but they are for the future of me and my family. 

These have to be done in stages so that that's ok.

What do I think the rest of the year has got for me?

This year has got me a few lovely things as well as a few awesome memories. It also has been able to have some brilliant experiences that are still continuing.

and some not so good ones. But that's ok. Life has got to give both sides of things because that's what we as humans, disabled or not need as well as the food and drinks that we need to have to survive. But I'm not sure what the last few weeks are going to give me.

What has the year taught me?

I'm not sure about that point but I'm learning all the time and sometimes the lessons are not finished in one day. They may take weeks or months to actually learn the things that. But that's alright and it doesn't matter how long the lessons are needed. However, these lessons are not necessarily wanted despite being taught them anyway. And that's fine.

What did I want to learn?

That's an interesting question to have but I'm not sure exactly. The fact that I'm learning a lot more about how things have been and can be. These are long term lessons that I personally need to learn. Everyone's different but the lessons that are taught are universal ones that everyone should know. yet not everyone knows them all.

So what's next?

Who knows what is around the corner life has for me in the next year but I'm beginning to learn that despite all the best intentions things can and do go wrong even with planning.

Ok so what now! Questions to ponder as a future is uncertain

 I have been quiet for a long time, and things have been a bit of a stretch. I have been thinking during this period that I should be reversing a few of the ideas that I had for this outlet. I am here to give an idea of what life is like with the condition.

Everyone assumes that everyone wants to have their place that is their castle. Yes, that is the case to a certain extent but when living with a condition such as cerebral palsy life gives you curve balls constantly.

Certain things can be a trigger an overload of anxiety and panic. that cause a circle of stress and anxiety.

These include house maintenance in any form, bills that are not anticipated and accidents. For me, it was the uncertainty of what the future holds for me as a person who has cerebral palsy.

Doing any amount of exercise or general existence can cause wear and tear on the body meaning that there is no certainty of what is going to happen in the future. As I have mentioned, in other posts the condition wears the body, 3 to 5 times faster than the average person.

So having to deal with the stress of the condition on top of trying to comply with what everyone else wants. It is a tough option that is not always what a person can cope with. So it may come across as a selfish way but it is part of the way a person has to deal with self-care.

Balance in all things! An observation in Equality.

In the beginning:

There has to be a balance in all things. Yet the scales of life throw wobbles. These wobbles can be about anything. 

And yet knowing where to make the balance is a difficult one. The lyrics for The Rythm of Life sung by Sammy Davis JR has the most meaning for me. 

However, I was having a drink and started to think about the balance of equality.

Equality in the simplest form:

In the simplest form equality is about ensuring every individual has an equal opportunity to make the most of their life and talent. 

There are other meanings too:

• Equal proportions

• Equal wages

• Equal homes

• Equal sizes

? Really?

Yet while having this drink and listening to a conversation I realised because everyone’s view on equality is different that it's not relevant. This seems odd but that is the point!

Example:

Take being colour blind; there are variations of this such as seeing two different shades of the same colour

But these are seen as the same shade when someone is colour blind. 

Ok So?

Applying this to the equality of people and the perception of what is right and wrong for that person is different for each one. Therefore it means that every person knows what is best for themselves personally. Although say for the physical side of the condition cerebral palsy there are similarities in each case yet each one is different. This means that no matter how much knowledge a specialist has they need to remember that the person who they are seeing knows the best about their personal situation. Everyone should not judge or disagree with the person whose life they are seeing. From an outsiders point of view. Because everyone is different and see things differently.

What can you do?

You can learn more about every disability you see and hear about. And educate the people around you who don't know about disabilities because although we are different we have so many things that are the same. 

Knowing when Change is coming

 How are you dealing with the world right now?

This has been one of the most hideous years ever for almost everyone in the world. The worst I can think of was a century ago when the Spanish flu killed 50 million people worldwide.

Now the world has changed because of this new virus. The number of changes that have altered the environment and social actions of people because of Covid19.

Everyone is struggling in some way some are even rebelling. These situations are scary for everyone understandably but we need to stand together. It will get easier with time and resources but these again will take time to find a vaccine or cure

How are you dealing with the situation at home or work?

There has been some kind of stagnation, which in a way has been a good thing. It has made people breathe and realise what is important both emotionally and physically. Yet others just don't care or don't believe what is going. Because they think it's a hoax but it's not.

It is ok you are not alone!!

I have had so much downtime because of what's been going on and have not felt like writing very much. It has certainly made things difficult because of the space where I am as well as emotionally.

It is super crowded especially as there are four of us in the place. Which is a tiny Victorian townhouse with incredibly steep stairs that I find hard to walk! I feel trapped at times here at the moment. So feel low at times and I am sure you do too at times in your own home? You can always contact me.

Don't worry too much about things I'm the same!

However, as facets of the world is gradually going back to some kind of normal with some modifications like the use of masks and hand sanitiser when out in public places like shops or using public transport.

Things are moving extremely gradually towards the future. I am kind of excited about it but wish it would hurry up. Because I would feel more confident in a place which suits me better. But you know what we are all in this together. And that is important to realise, we are all touched in some way or another.

Please don't forget to contact me if you are feeling low.

love and peace

xx