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I've had a note saved on my phone for a while, today seems as good a day as any to share it.
Things that take up brain space as a #disabledSLT (for me, feel free to add yours):
Things that take up brain space as a #disabledSLT (for me, feel free to add yours):
Before I even get to work...
- Feeling exhausted as soon as I wake up no matter how may hours I've slept
- Being in pain having a shower etc
- Struggling to find shoes that fit on my feet let alone that look professional
- Rush hour traffic causing ++ pain/fatigue from driving
- Feeling exhausted as soon as I wake up no matter how may hours I've slept
- Being in pain having a shower etc
- Struggling to find shoes that fit on my feet let alone that look professional
- Rush hour traffic causing ++ pain/fatigue from driving
Tolerating pain when...
- walking from the car to the office
- having to stand + observe student or talk to staff
- generally throughout the day e.g. on low chairs in sch
- walking from the car to the office
- having to stand + observe student or talk to staff
- generally throughout the day e.g. on low chairs in sch
Having to think/take extra considerations about:
- minimising trips around the health centre/school
- having meds on me at all times even when leaving things in safe places in schools etc
- whether to tolerate pain today or take painkillers + deal w/ side effects
- minimising trips around the health centre/school
- having meds on me at all times even when leaving things in safe places in schools etc
- whether to tolerate pain today or take painkillers + deal w/ side effects
Other things:
- Getting on and off the floor if working with a small child (not often these days!)
- Having to stand to deliver talks/training or to sort out having a chair and the impact of that
- Getting on and off the floor if working with a small child (not often these days!)
- Having to stand to deliver talks/training or to sort out having a chair and the impact of that
I'm sure there's more but that's all I have for today. None of these things makes me a better or worse SLT. They just are. But its important to me to acknowledge the extra effort needed day-to-day to function.
When I qualified, I didn't know any other SLTs with disabilities or chronic conditions and I felt very alone. I hope this helps someone else.
