What disabled people want on International Women's Day

Today is International Women’s Day. A day when we consider the inequalities in society, including wage gaps, social standing, opportunities, domestic abuse. The often invisible and overlooked females in our communities and workplaces.

Now stick that person in a wheelchair, or a walker, and isolate them with inadequate public transport, tell your children to stop looking at them or that they can't ask questions, take away representation in films and tv and books, create buildings as tall as the skies and pile obstacles all along the sidewalks and pathways. Don't call out when people take our parking spaces, or skip us in queues, or make assumptions based on our young age... refuse to listen to those affected by all of the above.

Don't get me wrong -all my aids are works of beautiful engineering that gift me freedom. They're not the villain in my story. But there is only so much they can do in a society not built for them.

Mobility aids 101: trough crutches VS. rollator

Whatever my decision - Mobility aids need pimping up. Always.

I've been trying my best to stay mobile, or partly mobile at least. I've been going to the pool and gym when I can -averaging only once a week so far unfortunately. It's painfully slow and annoying, but I have to accept that and pace. I like the treadmill, as I can walk while holding on to the sides. I don't like the increase in heart rate though (my resting heart rate ranges from 1110-130 due to suspected POTS). I increase the gradient so that my knees are being worked on (like with walking the pool). My knees are my biggest problem at the moment, and my doctor has said I should be working on this the most for the time being.

For a while now I have been contemplating picking up some more aids. The cane is only helpful for good, sometimes medium days. It's of no good to me when one of my knees is playing up and I need to elevate that leg, and doesn't help with practical things like carrying a handbag or when I'm really dizzy from low BP (POTS/ dysautonomia issues).

So I have two options...

One I've mentioned before, both in posts and on the Facebook page - Smart Crutches. These are basically trough crutches, meaning the part on the arm is like a trough shape. They give much more support to patients who have issues in their arms (like with that of EDS, as any of our joint can dislocate and partially dislocate). They're quite liked among the EDS community, so it was the first thing I thought of. They would be perfect for bad days, as rather than the wheelchair, I could still stay mobile (assuming I can walk to some degree) and have support on both sides of my body (instead of one, like with the cane). Also, if I injure my knee, I can use the crutches to hop.

Gym stuff

As regular likers of my new Facebook page will know, I have recently tried my hand at going back to the gym. This is something I used to do on a regular enough basis -Whilst I could not run outside, I could somewhat run on the treadmill. Running being one of the basic activities I miss doing... Along with general sport and activities which of course, require running. But alas these days, I simply miss walking!

I began my (what became a long) break from the gym gradually. I had to stop when I commenced chemotherapy, as gyms are apparently one of the most germ filled places ever and I had little to no immune system. I did go back briefly after I finished my treatment, but as you all know, my body has declined even further the last year, and with that, my ability to exercise...

I was never a "gym bunny". Lets be clear on that! Haha.. I went once a week, sometimes once every two weeks -TOPS. And the odd walk with my dear friend Christina, coupled with leisurely walks with the dogs. Even these things were struggles, but doable. At one point in my life.

But I really do miss the gym. I love exercising and the rush I get from it... I don't enjoy the pain, of course. How and ever, people need exercise to live and to thrive. And so I recently started going again. I went twice and then joined fully, so hopefully I can keep going once a week to begin with and maybe twice in the future... I just have to remind myself that my "over doing it" is different than other peoples over doing it. And if I forget, I always have the crippling pain to remind me.

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A couple of FAQ's:

1. What about swimming? I hear that's great as a low impact sport?
It is. But unfortunately, I cannot swim. I have tried several times and