"The occupational therapy course has changed my life"

The occupational therapy course I have just finished has changed my life completely. I have had ME/fibromyalgia for a minimum of 13 years and during that time I have been seeing a consultant privately. He was attentive and understanding, and did many tests and offered a lot of different medications, but nothing else was offered either from him or my GP.

I am now seeing the same consultant on the NHS, and with this I have received the occupational therapy. This has shown me a different way to coping mentally and physically, and shown me how to pace correctly - I thought I knew - but I was totally wrong. I now have the confidence to allow myself to rest when needed, to say no to activity I don't have the energy for and to believe that the symptoms I percieve are trully there, I am not making them up or being lazy.

I now have equipment at home, such as perching stools, shower stool, pick up sticks etc, that allow me to conserve the energy I do have which enables me to do other things - both household chores and enjoyable activities such as crafts which I enjoy immensely. Life is so much better. During the course of occupational therapy my osteoarthiritis has got a lot worse and, be using methods learnt for the ME, I can transfer them to the OA problem and the aids and appliances help me with OA as well.

I would recommend occupational therapy for every ME sufferer and physio where it is needed as well. I still have the condition and a lot of pain and lack of energy but by using what I have been taught I can make the most of my life.