"I didn’t think I’d feel this way again"

First of all, I have really bad arthritis in my knees and hands and I was finding it difficult to cope with doing activities every day. I couldn’t manage doing everything like my house work all once. I often felt like I was being lazy and felt guilty about what I could manage. I had also had two bereavements which were really pulling me down. I wasn’t looking after myself and cooking for myself as I didn’t feel there was a point.

Elaine, Occupational Therapist, taught me that I didn’t need to do it all at once. Elaine just helped me and listened. Elaine has helped in a massive amount way. Elaine talked me through how to cope. She was an amazing help. Some of the things were in my head and but she helped me put them into practice, as well as teaching me some new things. Elaine got me a couple of splints that were really excellent.

Elaine helped me see that things do matter, despite my losses. She was so down to earth and helped me to break things down and see that I wasn’t a failure. I take everything in pieces now and I am probably looking after myself a lot better. Elaine broke things down to help with simple things that I’d never thought of. I’ve taken up cooking again and a bit of baking and started a new healthy eating and exercise plan.

I see a brighter side of life now. I’m going out for lunch with my friends now and I sometimes go for a picnic. I still struggle to walk distances but Elaine has put in touch with someone to see about getting a blue badge which will really help me. I didn’t think I’d feel this way again and I cannot thank her enough. I still put into practice what she says and I still use the techniques. There’s nothing she could have done differently.