Conference and Happy Fourth of July

A high pain day today. I’m proud of myself for pushing through excruciating levels of pain and intense fibromyalgia fatigue. So grateful for makeup!

I attended the Customer Voice conference arranged by my Housing Association. It was held at Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries and it is a place that has very happy memories for me - amongst other things, I once gave a presentation in that room when I worked as a Project Worker with the Adult Literacy and Numeracy Partnership within Dumfries and Galloway Council through a scheme called Graduates into Business. 

I loved that job - sadly the funding was only for one year. I worked within a small team writing and editing Workplace Literacy materials for ESOL employees throughout the region which were published by the Scottish Government. 

In addition, I’ve attended many social events there in the past and felt a little sad at how I used to be able to dance and how much I loved it. I hope further specialist chronic pain physiotherapy at the Pain Clinic will have me dancing again one day…I met other fibromyalgia warriors/chronic pain condition warriors today.

I wasn’t sure if I would make it out of bed and had ran out of coffee to boot! It was worth pushing through the pain to attend. 

The Housing Association arranged buses for tenants from all over the region which was a big help as was the coffee upon arrival - a much needed caffeine fix!

I brought my lighter, fold up walking stick which really helped me feel more confident on my feet after having had so many falls in and outside.

The presentations were very informative, there was a delicious lunch and plenty water, tea and coffee to keep us going as well as a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses. 

I have taken notes and will raise some of the points made today with the relevant agencies going forward.

I was very fortunate to win a £50 Tesco gift voucher which was a lovely bonus as food and household items are so expensive.

As you will know if you read my ramblings on a regular basis, I have a lot of luck with raffles and competitions! 

I wish I could get my health back but I’m slowly learning to balance accepting my health conditions and their significant limitations with not letting fibromyalgia steal any more of my quality of life.

I have done far too much today and my whole body is in utter agony but I feel it was worth it.

I am proud of myself for doing approximately four miles towards my July Samarathon challenge for the local branch of the Samaritans. Paced walking is my opted method of completing a marathon over the course of this month, making use of my physiotherapy walking aids.

I’ve had a couple of donations already which is very encouraging and for which I’m incredibly grateful.

Today’s Blip is a photo a friend of mine’s son took of us at the conference - not saw her in ages and it was lovely to see her. She uses a wheelchair and is one of the strongest women I know and a survivor. I saw another friend too, an former mentor of mine.

This evening, I visited cone of my best friends and former work colleagues who lives just around the corner from me. It was lovely to have a long overdue catch up.

I have a couple of appointments tomorrow but will be taking it easy as I am feeling pained tonight after today’s exertion. I will rest as much as possible tomorrow.

Happy 4th of July to all my American Blippers - my Great Aunt Sadie who I’ve mentioned before had dual citizenship (Scottish and American) and I always think of her on the 4th of July as well as the Nirvana song Lake of Fire…if you know the song, you know why! 

Hope you’ve all had a wonderful Tuesday and sorry I’m very behind with comments, stars and hearts as always! :) xx