Ocupational Therapy

[TitsalinaBumSquash]

Hi i am after some advice i guess. I am a mum of 2 young boys, one of which is disabled.
I have severe hyper mobility syndrome that is rapidly getting worse.
I am really struggling with daily tasks such as getting in and out of bed, bending down to the the oven, turning on taps and walking in general and getting in and out the bath, and DP works full time but helps out in the evening.
Somebody suggested i call our local Ocupational Therapy unit for some advice and also see if i can self refer or if i need a gp/rheumatology referal.

I am just wondering if anyone is an OT or has been helped by one?

Will they actually beable to help me or is it mainly for elderly people? Sorry if thats a dumb question!

Nothing is ever a dumb question!! Especially when you need some support. Have you thought about asking your GP to refer you to social services for some physical support? You can refer yourself to your local team.

Generally, your can gain access via your GP or consultant and a social worker if you have one.
The OT tends to supply equiptment, and some physical support may help you just as much as some equiptment.

The disabled parents network will be able to give you advice and support:
www.disabledparentsnetwork.org.uk
They have a lot of information for disabled parents.
Hope this helps you
Look after yourself

OT's specialise in all sorts of areas. Much like physiotherapists, but working in the home or workplace to help people to get their lives back in working order again.
Might need specialised equipment, certainly, but it's much broader than that, also including physical therapies, emotional and practical support, etc.
Definitely worth asking about.
They're quite rare, but well worth it.

Hey there! I'm an OT!

You can definately get support from your local social services OT department - you should be able to self refer to them. They will be able to help with bath, bed, kitchen stuff.

They probably cant help with more "physical" type stuff such as splinting wrists etc, but they can refer you to local rheumatology service for that.

I'd love to be able to help you out if you were referred to me - it might be a bit challenging for you and your OT to find a solution to some problems that works for you and all the rest of you family, but they should get there in the end.

I'm happy to give non-specific general advice if you want ideas to tide you over till you see someone.

Hello,

I'll echo what ipodtherforipoor says... as i am also an OT and like you i have hypermobile syndrome. gladly it's not too bad at the minute but with the ever increasing weight of the darling dumpling, i'm very much looking forwards to her starting to walk!

it definately sounds like an OT could help you, I'd also like to point you to the HMSA website if you don't already know about it
www.hypermobility.org/forums.php

i found that quite useful when i was newly diagnosed and wanting to find ideas to help myself, there are other mums on there too