A bad week and a half with my joints has to led to even more awkwardness in and around London town:
1) Public transport.
In rush hour it is not fun, everyone knows that. However when you have hypermobile joints to contend with, it's never fun. The worst part has to be getting on a crowded tube and reaching up to the bar to hold on, only to hear and feel your shoulder go POP. You then have to make the choice between being in bad pain and still holding on, or just going solo and falling into everyone and wobbling all over strangers. It's also nice to see people's confused faces as you stand hunched over, leaning against a door because your ankle has gone and you can't make it over to the seats unaided. If there are any seats that is.
2) Cooking.
You go into the kitchen feeling alright, ready to make a lovely, fresh, healthy meal, or even something simple like toast.What you need to remember is that there are dangers everywhere. Chopping vegetables for the Sunday roast? Not so easy when your shoulder comes out and your wrists seize up. Even buttering bread can cause some intense pain and as for mixing up ingredients for baking, forget it. Always fun when you are hosting a dinner party and you have to explain to guests that dinner is microwaved soup because your joints are having a night out. Literally.
3) Pet owning.
So you're in the local park, taking your little furry bundle of joy for a stroll when they see a fox, another dog, or just a plastic bag blowing in the wind. This has happened to me countless times. The dog runs, the lead tugs, the shoulder comes out, your knee twists. The next few minutes are a blur of retrieving the dog, trying to walk, trying to keep the dog near you and half crawling/half rolling home, much to the amusement of other dog walkers. I also once really hurt the top of my back lifting a cat. No animal is safe.
4) Bras.
I am not at the point in life where I sometimes can't wear a bra at all, and have to settle for a crop top or something similar. The straps hurt, the back hurts, they leave marks and you feel like you've been lifting weights just from having the damn thing on for four hours. Not really ideal when you have a nice dress to wear and a birthday celebration to attend to.
5) Dates.
First date, nice glass of wine, lovely dinner. All going well until you get up out of your chair or slide off your bar stool and your hip comes out and you practically fall in your suitors lap. You then have to explain this whole illness and all the symptoms and you then spend the evening worrying that they a) think you are mad or b) think you might be exaggerating or making it up. Always good to remember that if someone doesn't get it, and you can't make a date because of your condition and they don't understand, they probably aren't worth it!
I'm working on making this a 5 part series, so if anyone has awkward situations to share give me a shout on Twitter!
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