For reasons other than “gunpowder, treason & plot”, November 5th is a date I’ll remember, for it marked the end of a particularly difficult chapter in my life with the arrival of a new wheelchair! Some of you may remember that I’ve been struggling with particularly intense back pain as a result of my seating making my spine into an S shape as it wasn’t supportive enough and causing me to lean. I’ve had ongoing battles with my GP around medication (which I eventually decided don’t work and haven’t took for a few months now) and a number of referrals back and forth to the Specialist Seating Service within my NHS trust.

You’ll also recall that these appointments in themselves were frustrating as the Seating Service seemed rather reluctant to acknowledge responsibility and insisted that the chair cannot be the only element to solve the problem- in theory I don’t disagree with their logic but hey, I’m only doing as I’m told, I KNOW the seat is the root cause, and there’s only so much I can do with my physio regime alongside waiting for new meds.

I know it’s only been a day, but I’m astounded at the difference! My new seat “hugs” me much more closely so my range of movement is now more restricted, but that’s a small comprise to make to be upright and much more pain free – I’m getting some discomfort in my lower back, but I think that’s more my muscles getting a stretch as they are rediscovering what good posture feels like. The chair (name still to be confirmed) also has me higher up which takes some trial and error but I’m adapting; he also features a single footplate (a change for me!), new “ankle cuff” straps to keep my feet in place, and in my favourites: touch screen controls for speed and tilt and a clock built into that display, and improved suspension which means as I enjoyed earlier: a much smoother ride!

Now that the physical side of the issue is in hand, the right chair has also done wonders for my mental health. Last night was my first pain free night in years so I slept very well and woke up feeling refreshed, motivated and happier than I have in ages, and in these strange and uncertain times: I’m taking that feeling and going with it!