Akosua Bonsu’s Post

12 months to get a job? What about 12 months to see a consultant or be assessed, let alone treated?! Neurodivergence and many debilitating, "invisible" mental health, pain and fatigue conditions take years to diagnose and years to treat or learn how to manage. Someone who is managing those conditions may appear to be well enough to work, but that is because they are actively managing the condition by resting, taking medication (and dealing with the side-effects), exercising and interacting correctly, and looking after themselves 24-7. When they take their eye off the ball and stop looking after themselves, by, for example, talking to family and friends, leaving the house, attending a meeting or social event (online or in person), going out for a meal or to the cinema, having a drink or eating the "wrong" food, then the invisible and more visible symptoms become exacerbated. These include increased pain and fatigue, exhaustion, overwhelm and meltdown, anxiety and depression, physical and vocal stimming and/or tics, anxiety attacks, PTSD flashbacks, dissociation, fits or muscle spasms, etc. These in turn are painful and exhausting, resulting in a further increase in symptoms (a flare). GPs refer their patients with invisible conditions to specialist consultants and clinics. And the consultants who specialise in these conditions are still researching and learning about them, and know that people with the same conditions can present very differently. I don't know how Rishi Sunak thinks that managing these conditions can be facilitated by a work coach within 12 months, when it takes years or even decades to diagnose some of these conditions (during which much of the damage has been done) and you cannot even get an appointment with a specialist within 12 months, let alone effective treatment! Most unemployed people with invisible conditions would love meaningful employment - something that those without these conditions take for granted. If they could work they definitely would. It is not them that need work coaching, it is the employers who are able to fire them at any time in the first 2 years without any repercussions, or just don't employ them in the first place. UC, PIP, DLA, ESA combined is often still less than minimum wage and there are so many forms, assessments and hoops to jump through that are so confusing, humiliating, stressful, exhausting and intrusive that many people, particularly those with invisible conditions, don't apply for all the aid they are entitled to. He simply doesn't have a clue! #fibromyalgia #cfs #mecfs #adhd #autism #FND #functionalneurologicaldisorder #PTSD #mentalhealthmatters #neurodivergence #neurodiversity #chronicfatiguesyndrome #tourettesyndrome #lupus #mentalhealth #menopause

EDUCATION: Attendance Our wellbeing can sometimes depend upon someone hearing and caring. We have made huge advances in understanding and supporting mental health and social anxiety. For some people a strict line works but for others it will never be the right thing. Dare I say that those who have lived privileged, uncomplicated lives do not experience the world in the same way that many other people do. Space and time can provide a lifeline; helping us to avoid breakdown and enabling recovery. Our success is not dictated by our attendance data. An individual’s motivation to succeed is very much driven by good health, happiness and self satisfaction - and all of those things come from what a school provides rather than demands. Low attendance is usually an indicator of need - certainly not a punishable offence. #education #teaching #schoolleaders #teachertraining

🌿 Calling all Disability Support Coordinators! 🌿 ✨Are you searching for a transformative program to enrich the lives of your NDIS participants? Look no further! Introducing the Inner Nature: Foundations Course - an innovative small group program designed to empower individuals with essential skills for emotional wellbeing, self-regulation, and interpersonal connection. 🍁 What is the Inner Nature: Foundations Course? This innovative program offers a nature-based, evidence-based therapeutic approach to support individuals in their journey towards holistic wellness. Through a series of interactive sessions, participants will embark on a transformative exploration of self-discovery, facilitated by an experienced counsellor and disability support worker. 🌿 Key Benefits for Your Clients: 1) Emotional Wellbeing: Learn practical strategies to manage emotions, reduce stress, and cultivate inner peace. 2) Self-Regulation: Develop effective tools for self-regulation, promoting independence and confidence. 3) Expression: Explore creative outlets for self-expression, fostering self-awareness. 4) Connection: Cultivate meaningful connections with peers, enhancing social skills and interpersonal relationships. 5) Nature-Based Therapy: Harness the healing power of nature to promote relaxation, mindfulness, and overall mental health. 🤝 Why Partner with Us? Together, we can offer your participants a unique opportunity for growth and empowerment. Reach out today to learn more about how the Inner Nature: Foundations Course can benefit your clients and enhance your support services. 💡 Want to know more or ready to sign up? Applications close on 08 July. Visit https://lnkd.in/gVCfYd4e to download our Program Guide and submit your Application, or contact us at info@backtonatureecotherapy.com.au #NDIS #DisabilitySupport #EmotionalWellbeing #NatureTherapy #Empowerment #Inclusivity #InnerNatureCourse #Ecotherapy

I am *truly* failing all over the place lately. It's hopeless. ⛑️ Today I not only incorrectly scheduled a client for 8AM instead of 9AM, I also forgot I had done so and didn't realize either error until 10 minutes to 9AM (when I had another client scheduled.) ⛑️ I've been weeks behind responding to inquiries, rescheduling attempts, and general information requests for both current and prospective clients. I owe most of my friends a return call. ⛑️ I've been in the 'kicking off' stage for a new website for about 14 weeks now. ⛑️ And don't get me started on cleaning, laundry, or booking the vendors for my wedding in 12 weeks. These are all important and urgent items. It's where I usually shine, but instead the ground seems littered with the carcasses of tasks that normally I handle. At the end of the day, I *KNOW* this has been a symptom of burnout. I *KNOW* this is more than a little about access to neuroaffirming medicine and care. And I *KNOW* it's getting better: But, today? Today it feels like all the work I've done over the years has been for not. Today I feel like the work it takes to function in a society not meant for my disability is just....too much. That perhaps the endless quest for an affirming life is foolhardy and I should just accept I'm a failure. There's a reason an estimated 82% of autistic adults are unemployed. These systems, the expectations of communication, the burden of meeting my body's needs - it's just....staggering. One of my clients recently shared how unfair it feels that often the biggest measures of success to their neurotypical peers and family members don't even register. Getting the bills paid, keeping the dishes clean, staying at inbox zero....they'll never know the work it requires. That hit home. By any objective standard I am successful. I have three graduate degrees, a long and successful career in business, and a thriving mental health focused business today. My kids are kind and safe. My chosen family is present, multi-layered, and healthy. But the thing that feels the hardest? This picture isn't what success it. It's usually just getting through the day in a world not made for me. #inclusion #disability #disabilityadvocacy #executivefunctioningcoach #disabilityadvocate #neurodivergence.

'PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER'...IN ESSENCE THE MENTAL HEALTH MESSAGE FROM THE CURRENT GOVT MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR HEALTH! I critique my contacts in wellbeing, albeit whether they are surgeons, doctors, highly qualified physicians, functional medicine practitioners, etc. partly based on their emotional intelligence levels before i place trust in them. After reading the report below in which Mel Stride, the work and pensions secretary, said yesterday that Britain was “labelling the normal ups and downs of human life as medical conditions” and that openness about mental health has “gone too far”. Many of my senior peers working in health were just left open mouthed yesterday at this. Should politicians have to pass an emotional intelligence test before being allowed to become an MP which I understand involves representing human beings. I also couldn't help but notice the alarming research mentioned in the article showing that people cited more than one reason for their disability. Mobility and BREATHING PROBLEMS are the two leading causes overall. The 25 per cent rise in those citing mental health as their disability was second only to the 62 per cent increase in those citing memory problems. Imagine being told to just pull yourself together when you're that ill. He told the Daily Telegraph: "People who were 'feeling rather down and bluesy' were being signed off sick by doctors and convincing themselves they have some kind of serious mental health condition as opposed to the normal anxieties of life." Rest assured, if breathing problems affect you, myself and my team are trained in how to help you overcome these and the impact on your mental state. And, you'll receive a huge amount of empathy in the process. See comments for further link. https://lnkd.in/dZ4F3T-T #mentalhealth #breathe #breathing #anxiety #Liverpool #Cheshire #Lancashire #NorthWest #UK

I want to share something deeply personal, but also a reality for so many incredible people I support, transitioning into a disability. It’s something I’ve lived through, and something I see every day with my clients who navigate degenerative, life-altering chronic conditions. Years ago, I was diagnosed with a mental health condition, and I accepted it fairly easily. Maybe because mental health struggles were common in my family, or because society has become more open to these conversations 🤷🏻♀️ But when I was diagnosed with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) 12 years ago, it was a whole different ball game. I had no idea what it meant. I was told to "go to a support group" and left to figure it out on my own. I’ve lived with relapses, exhaustion, and days where getting out of bed or lifting my arms wasn’t possible. Sleeping 16-20 hours was just normal. As a single parent for most of it, my kids grew up with a sloth-like parent. We adapted because we had to. Whether it’s ME, another chronic illness, or a degenerative condition, it’s hard to accept that our bodies have changed, that we have limits, and that we need help. And let me tell you, accepting help? It’s HARD. It messes with your self-worth, confidence, and everything you thought you knew about yourself and the world. Transitioning into a disability isn’t something you do overnight. It’s a gradual, painful process where everything changes, how you move, plan, and live. For some, it means navigating accessibility challenges, pre-planning every outing, and constantly weighing energy levels to avoid crashes from post-exertional malaise (PEM). For many, it's learning how to manage PEM while staying within limits to minimize worsening relapses. For me, for my clients, or for anyone living with a chronic condition. Accepting that you’re disabled can feel like losing parts of yourself, your strength, independence, and identity. And it’s fucking awful. There’s no other way to say it. Learning to live in a body that no longer works the way it used to, and being okay with not being okay. It’s navigating depression, anxiety, and the destruction of feeling trapped in a body you have little control over. It’s about accepting help without feeling like a burden and redefining who you are in a world that doesn’t always understand. Whether you've been disabled your whole life or you're just coming to terms with it, there's no roadmap for this. You’re adapting to a new reality, and it’s okay to ask for help. You are worthy of support, and you are not alone. We are still busy building our safe, online community that will be ready in October! And it will be just £7pm which means it’s accessible for all 🫶

Emotional wellbeing is something we all need to be mindful of however when faced with a sudden life changing event such as becoming disabled, that can be very difficult to navigate. I encourage you to read this article in New Mobility Magazine and learn how a workbook and group called “The Journey” is impacting so many people including myself. Author and creator, Jenny Smith https://lnkd.in/eDbSjnwN is helping people work through the process to become stronger and improve emotional wellbeing!

💭 19th June - OCD and repetitive thoughts 💭 OCD means obsessive compulsive disorder. At Spokz People we don’t like to use the term 'disorder' as often the way we think and behave has helped us survive and manage challenging situations. Many of us talk about the lack of choice and control in our lives and OCD or repetitive thoughts or worrying can be a way that we try and bring back control. We are not experts in OCD, but want to offer space to explore how these thoughts and behaviours started and share ideas and strategies to manage challenges to choice and control. On June 19th, our Wellbeing Live session will be themed around OCD . Members will be able to share their perspectives as disabled people, whether it be their personal experience with OCD or having a relative, friend or support professional who has OCD. We will share ideas on how to manage OCD, including negative thoughts or how to deal with a loved one who has OCD. If you're not yet a member but want to join, we advise you take advantage of our trial membership to join us for this very special event. Just head to our registration page: https://lnkd.in/dDhScPc8 #Disability #OCD #Live #Events

INTERNALISED ABLEISM is the term a colleague used to me today when she tried to help me by bringing me a power chair #assistivetechnology to get around the expansive office and training space at Novis Healthcare. My reaction to the kind gesture was mortifying, proving that sadly she was right. The thought of utilising it made me cry. Then the guilt of being so rude to those offering me help made me feel even worse. An occurrence that has happened frequently over the past week. Accepting help is hard. The suggestion that I'm limited functionally is really upsetting, if I ignore it, maybe it will go away. Surely two broken legs is manageable and can be invisible, I don't want anyone to notice. The thought of being a burden on others is unfathomable, I'm the kind carer not the receiver. This isn't a big enough deal to warrant the term 'disability'. I don't think I deserve such support, my difficulties aren't bad enough. I feel ashamed and embarrassed of having done this to myself. I don't want people to think I'm weaker or less capable than I was a week ago. Of course I'm not, but my rational mind is fast being overrun by my emotional mind. I'm experiencing internalised ableism. Internalised ableism is the internalised self oppression imposed on oneself in the same alignment to which we feel societal opinion is. It is a self discrimination based of our concepts of acceptability and stigma, in my case around the use of #assistivetechnology. What I need to address in my thoughts is why "I" feel that #AT will project a negative image of me. It isn't what I feel about others, so why allow the general opinions of our society make me feel this way about myself. Am I judging my family, friends and colleagues as being discriminatory or condescending to me, am I assuming they enact the stigma of disability. Thinking of the situation in this more meaningful way has been beneficial. 'The Bone Breaking Guide to Independence' TIP #TWO: Albeit great amounts of progress has been made in reducing stigma attached to AT, there remains a culture of perception that 'disability' means a lack of ability. Internalised ableism will lead to negative consequences for wellbeing and a high risk of abandonment of advantageous healthcare devices. Understanding the complex issue of AT abandonment requires us to look at the psychological evidence of product attachment and determine how we can best address the likelihood of this issue in the initial stages of goal setting, prescribing and planning. This month's Novis Webinar focuses on the evidence of this exact issue. (Coincidently) Please register for this complimentary CPD event at https://lnkd.in/gR5UPiPk PS. I've taken the power chair for indoor use at work only, you'll have to stay tuned for when I conquer my internalised ableism... you'll know as I'll post a photo of me in it.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and a great reminder of the importance of considering non-physical health conditions and disabilities among the challenges that people can face to sustained employment. Recently, my colleagues Monica Farid, Moriah Bauman, Yonatan Ben-Shalom and I wrote about some of the unique challenges and experiences that people with behavioral health conditions can have as they try to navigate staying at or returning to work. You can read more at the link below.