1/8 Physical and mental health: A thread. Beautiful mornings like today always make me reflect on how things were before my life changed so dramatically on May 4th 2018. I used to really enjoy running and, like many, found it hugely beneficial for both my physical and mental

2/8 wellbeing. A run before work used to clear my head and set me up for the day. When the surgeon told me post-op that there was a good chance I would never walk again, it felt surreal, as though I had heard his words but they were not being directed at me! My response was

3/6 "We& #39;ll see." Lying in that hospital bed, unsure what the future would bring, I didn& #39;t feel helpless, I didn& #39;t really dwell on the & #39;why me& #39; question, I just thought & #39;right, it& #39;s happened. You either accept it and get stronger, or dwell on it and suffer.& #39; I chose the former.

4/8 It was tough, still is! Losing the ability to do something that had come naturally to me for four decades was almost impossible to comprehend; learning to crawl again at 47 is not a good look, I can tell you https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤣" title="Lachend auf dem Boden rollen" aria-label="Emoji: Lachend auf dem Boden rollen">But, after a few weeks, there was a flicker, a glimmer of hope

5/8 And that was all I needed https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💪🏻" title="Angespannter Bizeps (heller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Angespannter Bizeps (heller Hautton)">Nerve damage, especially to the extent I experienced, is a difficult thing to deal with. Bones heal, nerves may, or they may not. You& #39;re left with crippling neuro cramps, daily pain and the frustration of your brain telling your foot to do what

6/8 it has always done, but it being unable to do so https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😩" title="Mattes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Mattes Gesicht">I have not yet been able to replicate the mental & #39;cleansing& #39; a nice outdoor run would give me, I hope that one day I will get that opportunity once more; it& #39;s not for the want of trying I can tell you https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤣" title="Lachend auf dem Boden rollen" aria-label="Emoji: Lachend auf dem Boden rollen">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤣" title="Lachend auf dem Boden rollen" aria-label="Emoji: Lachend auf dem Boden rollen">

7/8 This morning, I went on a 20min walk to enjoy the fresh air and blue sky. I had to stop twice and remove my trainer as my brain was telling me the my toes were curled under my foot (like a clenched fist); they weren& #39;t but that is the thing with nerve damage, odd signals

8/8 get sent! I hope this thread gives a little insight into a hidden disability and wish you all a happy Saturday, whatever you are doing. An afternoon watching sport beckons https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👊🏻" title="Fisted hand (heller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Fisted hand (heller Hautton)">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💪🏻" title="Angespannter Bizeps (heller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Angespannter Bizeps (heller Hautton)">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👍🏻" title="Thumbs up (heller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Thumbs up (heller Hautton)">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👍🏻" title="Thumbs up (heller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Thumbs up (heller Hautton)"> #physio #neuro #caudaequinasyndrome #strength #wellbeing #nevergiveup