This 5th instalment of the Long COVID Video Series, in partnership with @fisiocamera, has been co-produced with people living with Long COVID, sharing their stories
Thank you to the participants of Somerset #LongCOVID peer support group, who shared their stories of how Long COVID impacts their day-to-day lives, and Physiotherapist Liz Truman @NHSSomerset who supports the group.
What role does your identity have in your care? @DrMarciaPT - if I wasn’t a PT in the system, I wouldn’t have understood how I was being seen and treated in the medical community.
@chiluvs1 I had to speak up for all those out there who didn’t have the ability to do so. What would happen if I stay quiet? Something I’m saying will create change for somebody.
@AshantiRN I thought I was immune to medical gaslighting as a nurse. My color and my sex trumped that. “Don’t gaslight yourself…don’t second guess your experience because a doctor told you so.”
What does disability mean to you? @haziethompson - 1) The physical things that affect your ability and autonomy. 2) There’s the bigger scope used to exclude people from public life, a diminished capacity makes you unable to participate in society.
@chiluvs1 Disability means restricted access. Becoming a teacher gave access to healthcare, government, politics. I was accepted as a Black Woman. Then I learned as a disabled woman I had restricted access. Doctors restricted my care as a Black and disabled woman.
@ninachigbo in the African world, you are not allowed to say you can’t do something. As a Black Woman, mother, etc. you are expected care for other people. There is no acceptance for invisible illness. You must deal with it.
According to @CenterRes, pacing is doing as much activity as possible without causing an increase in symptom.
Per @sunsopeningband it involves staying within an envelope of one’s ability. It’s a balance of resting with managing day-to-day activities. Much of society isn’t setup for pacing, however.
Per @julialmv , using a wearable was the most beneficial thing to me! I thought I was resting and pacing, but the data showed otherwise and I needed to scale back.
Tomorrow! We begin the Long COVID Physiotherapy International Forum #LCPForum! Before we get started in 1 day, we want to thank 🌟EVERYBODY🌟 supporting, involved and working behind the scenes. Thank you 🙏🏻 #LongCOVID#FBLC#GlobalPT