This is an unusual blog for me, but with the Paralympics starting I have found myself thinking of a subject that often arises in my daily work – the unknown capabilities of the human body and human spirit.
There are many reasons to be inspired by the current achievements of all the Paralympians currently taking part in the Paralympic games. The physical feats they show are impressive by any standard.
Many have overcome huge physical trauma and life changing conditions to get to where they are now. So what makes them different from others both disabled and able bodied? For me it is one key factor: their mental attitude. This drive to succeed and their decision to discover what is achievable now, not what skills/abilities they have lost, but what the future could hold for them. This internal voice is something, I believe, we should all cultivate to help us move forward in life and make sure we always are living to our potential. This doesn’t just apply to physical changes but also psychological changes and all life changes such as losing loved ones, marriage/divorce, having children, losing a job and so on.
I have treated many different people over the last decade or so. I have seen people with mild problems completely traumatised and unable to move on, making them unable to rehabilitate to where they could be. Equally I have seen people who have suffered huge life changing conditions and been left with massive physical and cognitive changes but who have looked forwards at what they can do now, have set themselves new life goals and who have tenaciously worked towards those goals no matter what. These people, without fail, go onto achieve way above what any health professional could have predicted. I have seen this same drive in loved ones/carers of my clients. They find an inner strength they didn’t know they had and work tirelessly to find a new way for their lives to progress together, sometimes against incredible resistance from the establishment.
All these people continually inspire me and they are the reason I continue to do this job. If I could get any message across to my clients and their families it would be: accept where you are now, look forwards to what you can achieve in the future, find a new path and don’t let your condition define who you are.
I know this is so much easier said than done but trust me, if you can do this you will find a whole new motivation and will surprise yourself with what you can achieve.
So here is to:
Megan Giglia – who recovered from a stroke to take gold in the cycling.
Kadeena Cox – who after being diagnosed with MS continued to train as a sprinter and a cyclist and changed from an Olympic hopeful to Paralympic hopeful.
And to all the amazing and inspiring paralympians, we salute you!
Also a huge thank you to all the phenomenal people I have had the privilege to meet and treat over the last 18 years – I will never cease to be amazed by the human spirit present in you all.