I (think I) Can Dance

A friend invited me to a local dance performance last weekend. I hadn’t been in along time and admit I’ve avoided it to some extent. When our lives are impacted by an illness, chronic disease or pain we experience a great sense of loss. The things we used to do and the things we dreamed of doing. For me, dancing is one of those areas of deepest loss for me.

The time I spent dancing was profound physically, spiritually and emotionally. When I haven’t been dancing (training or attending regular classes) attending a dance performance has always been difficult. And even before my mobility issues settled in, there was a real sense of loss. Then, though, I was capable but not participating. For the last while, I’ve had the belief I’m no longer capable.

I was so inspired by the performance that I’ve decided to give it a go again! That I’ll do what I can and that the experience and expression provided by what little movement I can do will still nourish me on many different levels. There’s lots of research to show that exercise can be helpful in managing chronic pain and that continuing to move is important, especially to those of us with mobility issues. So with all the benefits of dance, why not dance therapy.

A bit of background…

 

Me and my KTM 950 AdventureWho’s behind this website?

I thought I’d give some background about who’s behind this website and what’s brought me up to this point in my life. It certianly hasn’t been a linear trip! Able I Am (AiM) is my attempt to culminate my life experience and skills into something of value to help other people live their best lives and strive to fulfill their dreams.

I’ve always been an active learner with lots of different interests. Dancing (ballet, modern, ballroom…any form of movement really :-) and danced through most of my 20’s-30’s. It’s something I still love and try to return to but it gets more difficult, and now this disability/injury…

I always wanted to ride a motorcycle so got my license about 12 years ago and have had some really nice times touring on the  bike. That’s me and KTM 950 Adventure as I’m about to put it into storage before I head off to do Basic Training when I joined the Canadian Forces. I have riden it up to Hyder, Ak twice, which was awesome, and took it on a solo trip to Ontario and back. She’s a great bike both on and off-road. I also had a BMW F650GS which is a great bike too. They are very different, but both are sweet rides…I can’t say enough that’s good about the dualsports!

I’m a bit of a geek and having been playing with computers and on the internet since about 1991. Yes, before it was even called the World Wide Web, and I build my first website scripting in html before HTML was actually formalized! It’s still a great enjoyment for me – hence this website and blog.

Some of the highlights in my career include working for Microsoft, the Canadian Coast Guard and joining the Royal Canadian Navy as an Officer, and now as a Naval Communicator.

Me with SeaSpright, 25' Aleutka sailboat

The most I’ve lived and worked in the United States for a number of years and returned to Canada in 2003.

Rising above the pain

Teen diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome begins treatment program with help of community

For 12-year-old Emma Harrington a fractured ankle revealed a more complex and painful medical condition. Emma is a bubbly preteen. She is sweet, pretty and has a pleasant personality. She loves 4-H activities, her animals and her youth group at Sunset Church of Christ. But Emma is in constant pain.

Emma, daughter of Amanda and Mike Harrington, suffers from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or CRPS. This is a medical condition where long–lasting unbearable pain is experienced. It usually begins in a limb and can migrate throughout the body. Burning, stabbing or shooting pain is often felt. CRPS may occur after trauma, but in children and teenagers, it may occur with little or no injury.

Emma was diagnosed with the syndrome in January, although she has been dealing with the pain since October when she fractured her left ankle in three places. The fractures were non-displaced fractures (broken pieces still in alignment), her mother explained. Emma said she was speed walking through the living room and her foot hit a wood strip on the couch.

“The swelling was bad and the discoloring was also bad,” said Amanda Harrington, noting that two days after hurting her foot she was in excruciating pain.

“It has never gone away,” Emma said.

It was a month before they knew about the fractures. Her mother said that she got in to see a local foot specialist after a local orthopedic specialist refused to see her because of a past misunderstanding. The foot specialist ordered an MRI. Although he knew what was wrong, he sent Emma to a pain specialist in Lubbock for a diagnosis…continue reading

So sorry to hear of someone so young. It’s very fortunate though to have received a diagnosis so quickly, as it’s not uncommon for many of us in a similar situation to go years bouncing from doctor to doctor with no diagnosis.

My thoughts and wishes go to Emma and her family.

“Pain Doctors Don’t Lie!”

Special Dr.’s call with Dr. Brad Eli

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This is an excellent call by Dr. Brad Eli discussing the serverity of chronic pain cases he deals with daily and the success his patients have experienced using Nyloxin™. Dr. Eli’s practice is one of the few medical centers in the United States to focus on the treatment of headache and all forms of orofacial pain, including Temporomandibular Joint dysfunction, also known as the ‘suicide disease’. #tmj #migraine #nervepain

In my own testimonial, I describe the ” nothing short of amazing results I have experienced” since I began using this product. You can listen here: My Nyloxin personal testimonial. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or to share your experience with using Nyloxin. Wishing you health, wealth and blessings… Jacqui

 All-Natural, Safe and Effective Relief for Chronic Pain non-toxic – non-narcotic – non-steroidal no acetaminophen – no NSAIDS

Discovery Channel: Pain Matters

100 million American adults live with chronic pain. That’s more than cancer, diabetes and heart disease combined. According to the Institute of Medicine, the high prevalence of chronic pain suggests that the condition is not being adequately managed. Undertreatment of chronic pain creates large costs to the healthcare system and the U.S. economy; we spend more than $560 billion in the U.S. each year on chronic pain-related healthcare costs. Moreover, chronic pain can carry significant physical and emotional burdens.

The Institute of Medicine has called for a better understanding of the impact of pain in an effort to reduce its toll on the people who suffer from it including the impact on their economic, physical and emotional wellbeing.

Pain Matters seeks to do just that. The documentary explores what chronic pain is, its individual and societal impact, and the future of pain management through the stories and struggles of six individuals living with chronic pain and their loved ones, as well as perspective from leading national experts in pain management. For more information about chronic pain and the documentary, please click here.

Watch the show!
http://www.painmattersfilm.com/ ;

Source: www.painmattersfilm.com

My local channel lineup didn’t offer this last year. Now it’s available online!

 All-Natural, Safe and Effective Pain Relief non-toxic – non-narcotic – non-steroidal
no acetaminophen – no NSAIDS