Following up on my previous post, I just wanted to give everyone an update following my appointment with the specialist seating service on Wednesday. We talked through my issues and I’m pleased to say that I had an empathetic ear, and of course my PA Bobbi had my back. It really does make all the difference when you feel like the specialists take you seriously.

The upshot of the appointment is that I’ll be being re-molded for a new seat, provisionally in September which is way sooner than I’d anticipated! The seat itself will have to change a fair bit as it needs to offer me more support, both to maintain my posture and ensure I don’t slip down as much as possible. There was talk of it needing to be more reclined than I am used to, which I’m not going to lie does worry me a little in terms of being able to do all the day to day things I do: get under the dining table to eat, work comfortably on my laptop and so on, but those are conversations for when the time comes, and it might mean I need to adapt how I do things, or look into new equipment.

The biggest change I’ll have is that due to the nature of what we need my new seat to do, I’ll need to have a sling that stays on in my wheelchair at all times. All of my slings that I’ve used for transfers over the years you’ve been able to take on and off, so I really don’t like this idea of having it in at all times. The odd thing is, I can’t really explain why – it’s just a weird kind of self consciousness I seem to have about not wanting my needs to be more obvious (even though the specialist said the sling can be discreet) to my friends and even those in my theatrical circle who I go to support often and have good bonds with. But, a friend pointed out to me yesterday: “you know anyone worth your time won’t care about the sling, right?” She’s right, I know she is – my feelings about it will be something I need to work through and come to terms with. And in the long term, if this is going to help my pain and thus my mental health and quality of life, then a little self consciousness is part of the deal! If anyone has any experience sitting in their slings and what it’s like, I’d love to hear from you

So, I’ve had to contact my GP about a referral to an occupational therapist who will sort said new sling, and that’s another waiting game. My appointment will hopefully happen in September, but in the meantime I’ll also be contacting my doctor about the possibility of stronger pain meds.

I want to end this update by saying a massive thankyou to everyone who has stuck by me these past few months when I’ve been slipping into some pretty dark places. It really means a lot and I love and appreciate each of you. A weight has been lifted, and now let’s onwards.